New Ayurved Online Message Digest Number 404

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Some sources state that this plant was introduced into India by the

Portuguese, but it was mentioned in very early Ayurvedic texts.

Perhaps bhallataka was originally another plant, or more likely, it is

indigenous to India. Any comments?

 

> Caldecott

 

I have seen Bhallatak trees (Semecarpus anacardinum) growing wild in the

evergreen forests of many parts of India. Introduced trees are generally not

seen in primary growth of dense forests. Incidentally, there are 100 odd

fully grown trees on my farm near Mumbai.

 

Vinod