Marking Nut/Semecarpus Anacardium  Linn. (Family: Anacardiaceae), commonly known as ‘Ballataka’ or ‘Bhilwa’, has been used in various traditional systems of medicines for various ailments since ancient times. Its nuts contain a variety of biologically active compounds such as bioflavonoids, phenolic compounds, bhilawanols, minerals, vitamins, and amino acids, which show various medicinal properties. The fruit and nut extract shows various activities like antiatherogenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-reproductive, CNS stimulant, hypoglycemic, anticarcinogenic, and hair growth promoter. The article reviews the various activities of the plant.

Semecarpus Anacardium, commonly known as the marking nut tree, phobia nut tree, and varnish tree,^[rx] is a native of India, found in the outer Himalayas to the Coromandel Coast. It is closely related to cashew.^[rx]Semecarpus Anacardium, or the marking nut tree, is a small to medium-sized tree native to East Asia. Although its resin can cause a severe rash when it comes into contact with skin, the marking nut tree is still widely cultivated as an ornamental plant and as a source of food, medicine, and raw materials.

SYNONYMS

Common names in Sanskrit: Antahsattva, Arusharah, Aruskara (Arukara), Arzohita, Balla’ta (Bhallata, Ballata), Bhallataka (Bhalltaka), Bhallatakah, Viravrksa, Visasya; in English: Indian Marking Nut Tree, Marsh Nut, Oriental Cashew Nut; in Hindi: Bhela (Bhel), Bhelwa, Bhilawa (Bhilv), Bhilwara; in Tamil: Erimugi (Erimuki); in Telugu, Nallajeedi; in Gujarati: Bhilamu; in Russian: Semekarpus Anakardii.

Semecarpus Anacardium, commonly known as marking nut tree, phobia nut tree, and varnish tree, is a well-known medicinal plant belonging to the family Anacardiaceae. The plant is native to India and found in the outer Himalayas to Coromandel Coast. The plant is found in abundance in Assam, Bihar, Bengal and Orissa, Chittagong, central India, and the western peninsula of East Archipelago, Northern Australia. It is closely related to cashew. Marking Nut, dhobi nut tree, Indian marking nut tree, Malacca bean, marany nut, marsh nut, oriental cashew nut, varnish tree, Marking nut tree and Phobi nut-tree are few of the popular common names of the plant.

 

Semecarpus Anacardium was called “marking nut” by Europeans because it was used by washermen to mark cloth and clothing before washing, as it imparted a water-insoluble mark to the cloth. The specific epithet Anacardium was used by apothecaries in the 16th century to refer to the plant’s fruit; it was later used by Linnaeus to refer to the cashew. It is one of the best, versatile, most commonly used herbs as a household remedy. It has been used all over India for centuries. It was held in high esteem by ancient sages of Ayurveda. It is a plant well known for its great medicinal value in Ayurveda and is effective in a wide range of diseases. It is used extensively in piles, skin diseases, etc. Since it is very hot in potency, it is used only after purification procedures. The word Bhallataka describes the sharp quality of the herb. The nuts of Semecarpus Anacardium show various medicinal properties as they are rich in various biologically active compounds such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids, bhilawanols, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

Plant description

Marking Nut is a moderately sized deciduous tree that grows about 12-15 meters tall and circumference of 1.25 meters. The plant is found growing in moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests. The plant prefers light to medium gravelly soils with good drainage.  The bark is rough, dark brown in color, and exudes an irritant secretion on incising. Leaves are 7-24 inches long, 2-12 inches wide, obovate-oblong, rounded at the tip. Leaf base is rounded, heart-shaped, or narrowed into the stalk, leathery in texture.

Flower

The flower is small, dull greenish-yellow, 0.6 – 0.8 cm in diameter, sub-sessile, fascicled. Petals are oblong, greenish-white filaments subulate. Flowering normally takes place from May-September.

Fruit

Fertile flowers are followed by obliquely ovoid or oblong drupes 2-5 cm long. The upper portion of the fruit is cup-shaped smooth, fleshy, orange-red in color, and sweet & edible when ripe. It is formed of the thickened disc and accrescent calyx base. The lower base which may be turned the nut consists of smooth, black shining pericarp which is thick, containing between its outer and inner laminae oblong cells full of a corrosive resinous juice. This juice is white when the fruit is immature, but brownish or quite black when the fruit is ripe. The nut is approximately 1 inch long 0.75 inches wide and 0.33 inches in diameter and weighs on an average of 3.5 g. It remains on the tree from February to June.

Health Benefits of Marking Nut

Chemical analysis of the nut shows that it contains high levels of phenolic compounds, bhilawanols, bioflavonoids, minerals, vitamins, and amino acids. Different types of extracts obtained from the nut are considered to be effective against various diseases including cancer, arthritis, infections, and many more. In fact, the fruits, seeds, and oil of this plant are also found to have medicinal value and hence are used for treating a wide range of diseases. Listed below are a few of the popular health benefits of Marking Nut

1. Cancer cure

Studies suggest that the nut extract of Marking Nut showed inhibitory action on human breast cancer cells. Kalpaamruthaa, which consists of Bubba nut milk extract, dried powder of Phyllanthus Emblica fruit, and honey is considered to be an effective and promising chemotherapy agent. Research on rats suggests that Kalpaamruthaa exhibits anti-carcinogenic activity by regulating lipid peroxidation and by showing antioxidant defenses in mitochondrial enzymes. Another research showed that the administration of Marking Nut to leukemic animals helped in removing the leukemic cells from the internal organs and bone marrow.

2. Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a medical condition that is often caused by the imbalance between antioxidants and pro-oxidants. Antioxidant therapy is suggested to prevent the development of such conditions. Marking Nut has been found to possess a potent antioxidant property that helps in fighting off the hydroxyl and superoxide radicals. This plant is also known to have the ability to inhibit the process of atherogenesis caused by lipid peroxidation. Animal studies reveal that the Marking Nut plant helps in preventing the accumulation of cholesterol by inhibiting the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine.

3. Diabetes

According to research, the ethanolic extract of dried nuts of Marking Nut was found to lower the blood glucose levels in normal rats. It also helped in lowering the blood glucose levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by a significant amount. Seeds are potentially used in the treatment of diabetes. More research would establish such further claims.

4. Leucoderma

Leucoderma is a harmless skin disease characterized by white patches on the skin caused by the loss of pigmentation. In some cases, these patches can become red in color and cause severe itching. Marking Nut is considered to be an effective remedy for the treatment of this skin condition. Doctors recommend taking one teaspoonful of this medication twice a day to cure leucoderma.

5. Anti-inflammatory effects

Studies on the anti-inflammatory effects of the nut extract of Marking Nut on adjuvant arthritis showed that the anti-inflammatory and therapeutic properties of the extract against all the various stages of inflammation are equivalent to that of indomethacin. Kalpaamruthaa is a Siddha formulation that is made up of Marking Nut milk extract, fresh dried powder of Emblica Officinalis fruit, and honey. According to studies, this formulation when administered to arthritis induces rats helped in normalizing the activities of lysosomal enzymes that are considered to be the mediators of inflammation.

6. Digestive health

Marking Nut is known to be an appetizer, purgative, digestant, liver stimulant, and anthelmintic and hence is used in treating various gastrointestinal disorders. It is an effective remedy for loss of appetite and many digestive disorders such as constipation, abdominal distension, piles, and various types of intestinal worms, especially hookworm.  Marking Nut is a useful medicine for piles as it helps in improving blood circulation, which reduces the pressure on veins and also reduces the accumulation of blood in the veins of the rectal area.

7. Urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence is a health problem that is characterized by the loss of bladder control leading to involuntary urine leakage. Marking Nut is one of the various Ayurvedic plants that are used effectively in the treatment of this condition. Consuming 5 grams of this remedy along with milk is found to be beneficial in curing urinary incontinence.

8. Good aphrodisiac

The marking Nut plant is found to have aphrodisiac properties and has been used to increase libido and sexual desire. It is often recommended as a tonic to improve male fertility as it has the ability to increase the production of semen. It is also used to treat seminal leakage and premature ejaculation. For women, Semecarpus Anacardium has been used as a remedy for uterine inflammation and also abnormal and painful menstruation.

9. Prevents premature graying of hair

Marking Nut is usually recommended in the form of linctus to prevent early graying of hair. One teaspoonful of this medication with a cup of warm milk should be taken two times a day to obtain the desired results.

10. For Cough and Colds

You can use it to aid cough and colds and to help aid with other minor illnesses. Marking Nuts are often crushed and added to beverages or syrups so that it can be consumed by children. Just use at least three droplets of the crushed fruit and consuming it with milk will be very useful.

11. For Skin Diseases

Marking Nuts can also be used to provide relief from skin irritation and diseases. You can create an ointment using the Marking Nut mixed with resin and cook with sesame oil and use as a treatment for rashes, cracks, and random itches.

12. For Joint Pain and Inflammation

The Marking Nut can also be used for joint pain. Just mix the crushed Marking Nut to a bit of garlic, and apply it to the affected area in order to get relief from rheumatism, body aches, joint pain, and many more.

Traditional uses and benefits of Marking Nut

• It regulates bowels, aid digestion, control phlegm, and respiratory function, heal sores, alleviate leprosy, and reduce hemorrhoids, bloating, and fevers.
• Fruit can be crushed together with lime and used as a poultice to heal sores.
• Three drops of the oily sap released by the heated fruit can be taken with milk for coughing.
• Children can be given just two drops of this sap twice a day to alleviate phlegm and coughing.
• Crushed fruit can be applied to joints to relieve inflammation.
• An ointment of the fruit mixed with resin from the tree and cooked with sesame oil can be used to treat rashes, itches, and cracks on the heels and soles of the feet.
• Paste of ground fruit and sesame oil remedies ringworm.
• Fruit is also used in medicines for motor paralysis and joint inflammation.
• The resin of this species is used for leprosy, nervous debility, and skin diseases.
• Fruit oil is used on warts and tumors; on cuts, sprains, piles, injuries; and for ascites, rheumatism, asthma, neuralgia, dyspepsia, epilepsy, psoriasis.
• Ripe fruits are aphrodisiac, digestive, and stimulant.
• Paste or juice of the fruit is used in the treatment of bronchitis, dysentery, fever, asthma, and hemorrhoids.
• Pure black acrid juice obtained from the fruits is used externally to remove rheumatic pains, aches, and sprains.
• Little of the oil is rubbed over the parts affected – it is an efficacious remedy except in such constitutions as are subject to inflammations and swellings.
• Mixed with garlic and other substances, the juice is used in the treatment of almost every sort of venereal complaint.
• The bark is mildly astringent.
• Paste of the seed, mixed with honey, is used in the treatment of gastric troubles.
• Juice of the seeds is applied externally in the treatment of ringworm and severely chapped feet.
• The juice of the seeds has been tested as a possible anticancer agent.
• The oil obtained from the seeds is used to treat skin eruptions.
• Juice of the root is considered to be effective in causing sterility in women.
• Latex is applied externally in the treatment of headaches, skin diseases, and scabies.
• It is used for improving sexual power and increasing sperm count, curing diseases related to the digestive system.
• In moderation, it is however considered good for the female reproductive system.
• Fruit is useful in leucoderma, scaly skin, allergic, dermatitis, poisonous bites, leprosy, cough, asthma, and dyspepsia.
• It is extremely beneficial in the diseases like piles, colitis, diarrhea, dyspepsia, ascites, tumors, and worms.
• Topical application of its oil on swollen joints and traumatic wounds effectively controls the pain.
• Crushed seeds are applied to cuts, bruises, and scratches to stop bleeding.

More Traditional uses of Marking Nut

• It regulates bowel movements, helps in digestion, controls phlegm and respiratory function.
• Marking Nut reduces hemorrhoids, bloating, and fevers.
• Applying Marking Nut fruit crushed with lime heals sores.
• Mix two to three drops of the oily released by heating fruit treat coughing and phlegm.
• Fruit can be crushed and applied to joints to cure inflammation.
• Marking Nut fruit mixed with resin obtained from the tree and further, it is cooked with sesame oil to treat rashes, itches, and cracks and soles of the feet.
• A mixture of ground fruit and sesame oil is a good remedy for ringworm.
• Marking Nut tree resin is used for leprosy, nervous debility, and skin-related diseases.
• Ripen fruits has aphrodisiac, digestive and stimulant properties.
• Black juice obtained from the fruits is used to remove rheumatic pains and aches.
• Seed paste with honey is used in gastric troubles treatments.
• Marking Nut seeds juice is applied externally to treat ringworm and chapped feet.
• Marking Nut latex is applied in the treatment of headaches and skin diseases.
• Marking Nuts are used for improving sexual power, increasing sperm count and good for the female reproductive system.
• It is beneficial in treating piles, colitis, diarrhea, dyspepsia, tumors, and worms.

Precautions To Be Taken While Using Marking Nut

Same with a lot of medicinal plants, there may be some side effects when taking Marking Nut. Here are some of the things you need be careful about when using the plant:

• The shell that covers the seed can be highly irritable.
• The plant is somewhat poisonous to the skin and might give the holder a slight rash and skin irritation.
• The seeds provides a heating sensation to the body. You must be mindful in consuming the plant during the hot weather.
• Excessive use of the fruit may result to abortion.
• Must not be taken by children or pregnant women.

Other Facts

• Rind surrounding the seed furnishes a sort of indelible ink.
• Juice of the pedicels, mixed with lime water, is used as a black marking ink to write on cloth.
• Black dye is obtained from the pedicels.
• Seeds are a source of tannins.
• The oil obtained from the seeds is used for various industrial purposes such as a floor dressing; as addictive substances to lacquers, dyes, and insulating material; in the plastics industry; for regenerating rubber materials; and to protect the wood from white ants.
• Gum is obtained from the tree.
• Wood is used to make charcoal.
• Juice of the fruit pericarp is used for marking cotton clothes.
• Fruit shell oil is used as a termite repellant.
• Stem yields, by tapping, an acrid, viscid juice from which varnish is prepared.

Precautions

• Shell surrounding the seed contains a strongly irritant substance.
• The plant is poisonous to the touch in the same manner as poison ivy, bringing the skin up in a severe rash.
• If consumed in very large quantities, it is said to induce abortion.
• Seeds are hot in potency that gives a healing effect to the body. Therefore it should not be used in hot weather.
• It should not be used by kids and pregnant women.
• The nut has an anti-fertility effect.
• People with excess bile should not use it.

References

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