A Potential Ethnomedicinal Plant: Semecarpus Anacardium Linn. – a Review

Semecarpus anacardium Linn. (Family: Anacardiaceae), commonly known 'Ballataka' or 'Bhilwa', is a plant well-known for its medicinal value in ayurvedic and siddha system of medicine, it is also used for non-medicinal purpose like marking of cloth, hair dye etc since ancient time. Phytochemical analyses of Semecarpus anacardium nut shows that, its nut contain a variety of biologically active compounds such as biflavonoids, phenolic compounds, bhilawanols, minerals, vitamins and amino acids, which shows various medicinal properties. Traditional healers and physicians use Semecarpus anacardium in their clinical practice. Several experiments have prooved it’s anti-atherogenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-reproductive, CNS stimulant, hypoglycemic, anticarcinogenic and hair growth promoter activities.