Karkatshringi (Pistacia integerrima), is a well-known medicinal plant of the Anacardiaceae family. This plant, sometimes known as crab’s claws in English, is indigenous to India and is primarily found between 500 and 2500 meters above sea level in the Himalayas. All sections of this plant have been thoroughly discussed for their medicinal qualities in ayurveda as karkatshringi contains a number of significant phytoconstituents with enormous healing potential.
Karkatshringi’s antidiarrheal and antibacterial qualities help prevent the body from losing fluids and stop the growth of bacteria that cause infections, thus it’s good for diarrhea. Because of its Kashaya (astringent) qualities, it can also be used with water to treat diarrhea.
Description
The plant’s various sections, such as the leaves, bark, roots, and galls, are packed with potent metabolites—substances that the body uses to break down food particles. Terpenoids and flavonoids can be found in this plant’s bark and roots. It has been discovered that terpenoids are helpful in the treatment and prevention of a number of illnesses, including cancer.
Botanical Name:
Pistacia integerrima
Family:
Anacardiaceae
Leaves:
These have three to seven oblong to lanceolate, pinnately compound leaflets. The leaflets are smooth on top and slightly hairy on the underside, with whole edges. Usually, they have a light to medium green hue.
Flowers:
This shrub produces lustrous, brown fruits and tiny, red blooms. Galls are bitter, hollow, and horn-shaped. They are also used medicinally. The majority of the time, gall powder is used to treat illnesses like fever, diarrhea, coughing, etc.
Bark:
The bark has a rough texture and is grayish-brown in color.
Stem:
The woody stem has a maximum height of three meters. It yields a resin that is applied in certain conventional ways.
Habitat:
The plant is native to India and can be found growing in the northwest Himalayan mountain ranges. It is dispersed throughout Nepal, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China.
Parts Used:
- Leaves
- Stem
- Bark
- Galls
- Fruit
Dosage:
- Powder – 2 – 4 grams
Chemical Constituents
The plant’s many sections include tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, sterols, amino acids, and saponins. The volatile chemical components of Pistacia integerrima are extracted via liquid-liquid extraction or hydro distillation.
Sanskrit Synonyms
Kakara, Drek, Gurgu, Kakkara, Kaketisringi, Dusthpuchittu, Kankrasringi, Kakarsingi, Sumak, Kakadsingi, Chinese pistache, Pistacia chinensis , Pistacia integerrima, Gall plant,Kankadasingi, Kakar, Kakkatsingi, Kakarasingi.
Other Language Names of Karkatshringi (Pistacia integerrima)
Tamil name – Kakkata shrinigi
Telugu name – Kakarsingi, Karkatakashrungi
Malayalam name – Karkkatasrmgi
English name – Crabs claw
Hindi name – Kakadasrngi, Kakarasingi
Oriya name – Kakadashringi
Punjabi name – Kakar, Kakarsingi
Urdu name – Kakra, mastagi desi
Kannada name – Kaakada shringi, Karkatakasrngi
Bengali name – Kankda Shringi
Assamese name – Kakiasingi
Gujarati name – Kakadashing
Kashmiri name – Kakkar, Kamaladina
Marathi name – Kakadshingi
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Pistaciaceae |
Ayurvedic Properties
Hindi/Sanskrit
- Rasa -Tikta, Kasaya
- Guna – Laghu, Ruksa
- Virya -Ushna
- Vipaka -Katu
English
- Taste -Bitter, Astringent
- Physical Property-Dry
- Potency- Hot
- Metabolic Property (After Digestion)-Pungent
Karkatshringi (Pistacia integerrima) Uses
- Additionally effective in treating respiratory issues is this plant. It works well for treating dyspnea and cough. Its strong and bitter flavor functions as an expectorant, assisting in the removal of mucus from the lungs, trachea, bronchi, and airways. Moreover, it aids with cough management.
- This herb works well to treat fever because of its antipyretic qualities.
- This plant works rather well for treating children’s asthma and whooping cough.
- Herbs’ antimicrobial properties work very well to treat a variety of bacterial, viral, and fungal ailments.
- Possessing astringent and carminative qualities it aids in lessening gastrointestinal tract flatulence. As a result, this herb works well for treating dysentery, anorexia, and diarrhea.
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Karkatshringi (Pistacia integerrima) Benefits
Immunity Bolster:
Karkatshringi ( Pistacia integerrima) not only treats upper and lower respiratory tract infections but also boosts immunity generally, shielding the body from recurring diseases such as allergies, sinus infections, and coughs and colds.
Skin disease:
Applying rose water paste and Karkatshringi to the afflicted area can help treat skin conditions including eczema and their symptoms. Eczema frequently manifests as bleeding, blisters, itchy skin, and rough skin. Because of the paste’s Ropan and kashaya qualities, applying it as directed helps to halt bleeding and reduce inflammation.
Diarrhoea:
The antibacterial and antidiarrheal qualities of karkatshringi aid in the management of diarrhea. It functions by slowing down intestinal motility, which eliminates pathogenic germs that cause infections in the large intestine.
Bleeding Gums:
In Ayurveda, the water decoction known as “kwath” made from Karkatshringi is used to reduce bleeding from the gums, also known as “Sheetada.” This kwath’s astringent and therapeutic properties, Kashaya and Ropan, help to prevent Sheetada when gargled with hot water on a regular basis.
Karkatshringi (Pistacia integerrima) Side Effects
Skin irritation:
Some people may get moderate skin irritation with karkatshringi. If you have sensitive skin or come into contact with the concentrated extract, this is more likely to happen.
Do not exceed the recommended dosage:
Overdosing on Karkatshringi may make adverse consequences more likely.
Interaction with drugs:
Certain drugs, including blood thinners and those that alter blood sugar levels, may interact with karkatshringi.
Conclusion
Karkatshringi is a potent herb with numerous elements that are beneficial in the treatment of various illnesses. According to Ayurveda, the pharmacological qualities, immunomodulation, and antimicrobial action trigger the actions of kaphahara and vatahara, which may be beneficial for treating coughs of all kinds. In addition, it possesses ushna, deepana, and pachana qualities that help hasten the healing of many digestive and respiratory conditions.
FAQS
What advantages does Pistacia integerrima offer?
Native to Asia, Pistacia integerrima, often known by its common name, crab’s claw, is a significant ethnobotanical tree. Plant components, especially the galls, have long been used to cure liver problems, diarrhea, cough, asthma, and snake bites.
Which portions of Pistacia integerrima are useful?
Plant components, especially the galls, have long been used to treat liver problems, diarrhea, cough, asthma, and snake bites. The plant’s many parts, such as the leaves, stem, bark, galls, and fruit, are mostly composed of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and sterols.
Does Karkatshringi benefit asthmatic patients?
According to findings from modern science, the essential oils in karkatshringi paste are absorbed via the skin and, because of their anti-inflammatory qualities, aid in the reduction of lung edema. This, in turn, facilitates breathing by lowering resistance in the air passageways. Its anti-asthmatic qualities help to prevent the release of substances that cause allergies and lessen their symptoms.