Agasthya

Bijapooraka- Citrus medica

Bijapooraka consists of fresh fruit of Citrus medica Linn. (Fam. Rutaceae); an evergreen shrub or small tree, about 3.6 m high with short, thick and thorny branches, cultivated sparsely throughout the warm-moist regions of the country.San. : Matulunga,BijapurakaAss. : JaradedaBen. : Bijipura, MutulangaEng. : Wild Lemon, CitronGuj. : BijoraHindi. : BijouraKan. : Madavala, Madalahannu, MadalaMal. : Matala Narakam, Gonapatinarakam, Bongi, Mathulanarakam,Mar. : Mahalunga, BijoraOri. : JambhiraPunj. : GalgalTam. : Turunji Pazham, KadarangaiTel. : Madi PhalamUrdu. : TuranjLat.: Citrus medica Linn.Synonyms:-Bijapoora- filled with seedsRuchaka- increases tasteGanaCharakaHradyaChardinigrahanaKula- JambeeraFamily-Rutaceae

Verities:-On basis of taste 1. Madura2. Amla

Habitat:-common in regions of Gadwal to Sikkim grows at about 4000 fts from sea level, western ghats, Assam, now it is almost found in India

Morphology:-Citron is a slow-growing shrub or small tree reaching up to 15 ft (4.5 m) in height with stiff branches and twigs and spines in the leaf axils.The evergreen leaflets are leathery, lemon-scented, ovate-lanceolate or ovate elliptic. The flower buds are large and white or purplish. The fragrant flowers have 4 to 5 petals and they are pinkish or purplish with 30 to 60 stamens.

The fruit is fragrant, oblong or oval and very variable even on the same branch. The peel is yellow, usually rough and bumpy and very thick. The pulp is pale-yellow or greenish divided into as many as 14 or 15 segments, firm, not very juicy, acid or sweet and contains numerous seeds.Images

Chemical Composition:-Rasa PeelCitric acid Citrine- 76%Sulphuric acid Citrol- 7-8%Glucose Cymene- Citronellal Properties:-Rasa : Madhura, AmlaGuna : Laghu, SnigdhaVirya : UsnaVipaka : Amla

Dosha Karma:Kaphavardhaka, Chardigrahana., Deepana, Hradya, Jihvashodhaka,Kaphahara, Medhya, Pittahara, Vatahara, VarnanasakaCitron juice with wine was considered an effective purgative to clean the system of poison.In India, the peel is a remedy for dysentery. The distilled juice is given as a sedative. The candied peel is sold in China as a stimulant, expectorant and tonic. In West Tropical Africa, the citron is used only as a medicine, against rheumatism. In Malaya, a decoction of the fruit is taken to drive off evil spirits. In Panama, they are ground up and combined with other ingredients and given as an antidote for poison. The essential oil of the peel is regarded as an antibiotic.Functions Acc to Diff ScholarsBhavprtakash Sushruta Raja Niganturaktapitta Hradya Kasaswasa Krimi Swasahradya Medya Balyatrasna Gulma Varnya ArshaTherapeutic action:-Sweet Fruit- Vatapittaja, hradroga, raktapittaSour fruit- Kaphavataja, hratdourbalyaLeaves- poultice in painful regionsSeeds paste in skin disease, scorpion biteFlower & Root in RaktapittaFruit & seeds in Amenorrhea

Useful Part:-PhalaDosage:-10-20 ml. of juice.Special preparations:-Kshara Taila, Hinguvadi Churna, Kankayana Gutika, Tarunarka Rasa, Shankha Dravaka,Madiphala RasayanaQuotations:- : : : (.)

(..)