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== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

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''Ikshvaku'' is referred at various places in [[Charaka Samhita]] by synonyms like ''Lamba, Katukalabu, Tumbi, Pindphala'' and ''Phalini''. It is indicated in ''Kasa''(cough), ''Shwasa''(dyspnea/asthma), ''Visha''(toxins), ''Chhardi''(vomiting), ''Jwara''(fever) and ''Pratamyata''(blackouts). The most potent and useful part employed in recipes are leaves (collected before flowering), fruits and seeds. Two more synonyms - ''Katutumbi'' and ''Mahaphala'' are quoted for ''Ikshvaku'' with ''hridya''( cardio-protective) and ''vishahara''( anti-poisonous) properties. [1]

''Ikshvaku'' is referred at various places in [[Charaka Samhita]] by synonyms like ''Lamba, Katukalabu, Tumbi, Pindphala'' and ''Phalini''. It is indicated in ''Kasa''(cough), ''Shwasa''(dyspnea/asthma), ''Visha''(toxins), ''Chhardi''(vomiting), ''Jwara''(fever) and ''Pratamyata''(blackouts). The most potent and useful part employed in recipes are leaves (collected before flowering), fruits and seeds. Two more synonyms - ''Katutumbi'' and ''Mahaphala'' are quoted for ''Ikshvaku'' with ''hridya''( cardio-protective) and ''vishahara''( anti-poisonous) properties. <ref> 1. Prof. K.C. Chunekar, Commentator, Late Dr. G.S. Pandey, editor, Bhavamishra, Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Revised and enlarged edition 2010, Shakavarga, Chaukhamba Bharati Acadamy, Varanasi, pp 682</ref>

   

   

In a ''samabhasha'' (discussion) referred in [[Siddhi Sthana]], King Vamaka opined that ''Katutumbi'' is the best emetic and capable of eliminating ''doshas''. Lord Atreya concluded that ''Katutumbi'' is useful for the treatment of ''Prameha'' (urinary diseases including diabetes), however ''Madanaphala'' is superior, because it can be prescribed in various other disease conditions too. [2]

In a ''samabhasha'' (discussion) referred in [[Siddhi Sthana]], King Vamaka opined that ''Katutumbi'' is the best emetic and capable of eliminating ''doshas''. Lord Atreya concluded that ''Katutumbi'' is useful for the treatment of ''Prameha'' (urinary diseases including diabetes), however ''Madanaphala'' is superior, because it can be prescribed in various other disease conditions too.<ref>Ram Karan Sharma and Vaidya Bhagwan Dash, Caraka Samhita, Vol VI, Sidhhisthana, Chap 11, shlok no. 5-6, edition 2nd 2005, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Series Office, Varanasi, pp. 382 </ref>

Rajanighantu mentioned several varieties of ''Tumbi'' like ''Kumbha tumbi, Ksheeratumbi, Bhutumbi'' etc. whereas Bhavamishra identified two varieties of ''Tumbi'', namely ''Madhura'' and ''Latatumbi''.

Rajanighantu mentioned several varieties of ''Tumbi'' like ''Kumbha tumbi, Ksheeratumbi, Bhutumbi'' etc. whereas Bhavamishra identified two varieties of ''Tumbi'', namely ''Madhura'' and ''Latatumbi''.

'''Indications''' – Jwara, Kasa

'''Indications''' – Jwara, Kasa

'''Therapeutic uses[3]''' –  

'''Therapeutic uses<ref>Prof K Nishteswar&Dr.KoppulaHemadri, Dravyaguna Vidyana, first edition 2010, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Pratisthan, Delhi, pp 421.</ref>''' –  

*Ashmari (Calculi) – The seed powder mixed with honey and sheep’s milk administered for 7 days dissolves Ashmari (Calculus).  

*Ashmari (Calculi) – The seed powder mixed with honey and sheep’s milk administered for 7 days dissolves Ashmari (Calculus).  

*Pradara (Menorrhagia) – The fruit powder mixed with honey and sugar relieves  

*Pradara (Menorrhagia) – The fruit powder mixed with honey and sugar relieves  

=== Botanical  description ===

=== Botanical  description ===

Tendrillar climber, upto 10m long; stem soft, hairy, angular. Leaves alternate, petiolate, broadly ovate – suborbicular, 3-5 angled or shortly lobed and dentate with cordate base, 15-20 cm across; petiole with two glands at the part of joining lamina. Flowers monoecious, solitary, axillary; calyx tube of male green, narrowly campanulate with linear, small lobes; corolla of 5 oblong – obovate, white petals about 4-5 cm long and 2.5 cm broad; stamens 3, anthers slightly fused, one of them 1- celled and the others 2- locular; female flowers with densely softly hairy ovary. Fruit of various shapes on different plants, very long and club- shaped, sometimes reaching upto 75 cm long and 15-20 cm diameter at broader end, or bottle- shaped/ dumbbell -  shaped and broadly obovoid shape, the broader end measuring upto 25 cm across or more. Seeds numerous, oblong in outline, about 1.3* 0.7 cm, broader and somewhat obcordate at apex[4].

Tendrillar climber, upto 10m long; stem soft, hairy, angular. Leaves alternate, petiolate, broadly ovate – suborbicular, 3-5 angled or shortly lobed and dentate with cordate base, 15-20 cm across; petiole with two glands at the part of joining lamina. Flowers monoecious, solitary, axillary; calyx tube of male green, narrowly campanulate with linear, small lobes; corolla of 5 oblong – obovate, white petals about 4-5 cm long and 2.5 cm broad; stamens 3, anthers slightly fused, one of them 1- celled and the others 2- locular; female flowers with densely softly hairy ovary. Fruit of various shapes on different plants, very long and club- shaped, sometimes reaching upto 75 cm long and 15-20 cm diameter at broader end, or bottle- shaped/ dumbbell -  shaped and broadly obovoid shape, the broader end measuring upto 25 cm across or more. Seeds numerous, oblong in outline, about 1.3* 0.7 cm, broader and somewhat obcordate at apex<ref name=PC>P.C.Sharma et al, Data Base on Medicinal Plants Used in Ayurveda, Vol-5, Reprint 2005, CCRAS, GOI, 437</ref>.

'''Flowering''' – October- December

'''Flowering''' – October- December

'''Fruiting''' – March- June

'''Fruiting''' – March- June

'''Distribution''' – Wild Lagenaria siceraria is generally met with in and around forest villages, almost throughout India. In this form, both the fruit (unripe and ripe) and the root are bitter to taste and are supposed to be used in Indian systems of Medicine. The non – bitter form with edible, unripe fruit is cultivated and is available throughout the year for consumption. The morphological description, however, matches for both the forms[4].

'''Distribution''' – Wild Lagenaria siceraria is generally met with in and around forest villages, almost throughout India. In this form, both the fruit (unripe and ripe) and the root are bitter to taste and are supposed to be used in Indian systems of Medicine. The non – bitter form with edible, unripe fruit is cultivated and is available throughout the year for consumption. The morphological description, however, matches for both the forms<ref name=PC/>

The climber is distributed almost throughout the Tropics in the world.

The climber is distributed almost throughout the Tropics in the world.

'''Chemical constituent''': Bitter fruit yield 0.013% of a solid foam containing cucurbitacin B, D, G and H, mainly cucurbitacin B. These bitter principles are present in the fruit as aglycon. Leaves contain cucurbitacin B, and roots cucurbitacins B, D and traces of E. The fruit juice contains beta-glycosidase (elaterase)..[5]

'''Chemical constituent''': Bitter fruit yield 0.013% of a solid foam containing cucurbitacin B, D, G and H, mainly cucurbitacin B. These bitter principles are present in the fruit as aglycon. Leaves contain cucurbitacin B, and roots cucurbitacins B, D and traces of E. The fruit juice contains beta-glycosidase (elaterase).<ref>C.P.Khare, Indian Medicinal Plant, an Illustrated Dictionary. P 358</ref>C.P.Khare, Indian Medicinal Plant, an Illustrated Dictionary. P 358</ref>

According to Thakur Balwant Singh, there are two varieties, sweet and bitter used as vegetable and in medicine respectively. The fruit deprived of its pulp and seeds used an instrument for blood-letting [6]

According to Thakur Balwant Singh, there are two varieties, sweet and bitter used as vegetable and in medicine respectively. The fruit deprived of its pulp and seeds used an instrument for blood-letting<ref>Thakur Balwant Singh and Dr K C Chunekar, Glossary of Vegetable drugs in Brihattrayi, second edition 1999, Chaukhamba Amarabharati Prakashan, Varanasi, pp25</ref>

'''Action''': The roots are emetics, purgative and anti-inflammatory. They are useful in constipation and inflammation.

'''Action''': The roots are emetics, purgative and anti-inflammatory. They are useful in constipation and inflammation.