Botanical name: Embelia ribes
Family name: Myrsinaceae
English name: False Black Pepper, White-flowered Embelia
Common name: Vidanga
Synonyms: Vella, Chitratandula, Krimighna, Amogha
Habit: Perennial shrub
Useful Parts: Seeds, fruit, leaves
Common Uses:
1- The dried fruit is considered appetiser, anthelmintic, astringent, carminative, alternative and stimulant. It is effective in the treatment of ascariasis. The dried fruits are used in decoctions for fevers and for diseases of the chest and skin. The fruit also shows anti-bacterial activity.
2- It is also used in treatment of abdominal disorders, lung diseases, asthma, constipation, indigestion, fungal infections, mouth ulcer, sore throat, hyper acidity, pneumonia, heart disease and obesity.
Indications:
The oil made from this herb is used for Nasya (Nasal medication) in head ache and rhinitis and its decoction is used for Gandusha (Mouth gargling) in dental caries. It is used internally in intestinal worms, colic, duodenal disorders, Vata disorders, diabetes, skin disorders and disorders of blood.