DOI: 10.36347/sajp

Pages: 222-226

Pongamia pinnata Linn. Pierre commonly known as ‘Karanj’ belonging to Leguminosae family (sub familyPapilionaceae) has been used in different system of traditional medicines for the treatment of various diseases. It contains various phytoconstituents belonging to alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, fixed oils, and carbohydrates. The roots of Pongamia pinnata are good for cleaning foul ulcers, cleaning teeth, strengthening gums and gonorrhoea. The root paste for local application in scrofulous enlargement. The fresh bark of Pongamia pinnata is sweet and mucilaginous to taste, soon become bitter and acrid. It is antihelmintic and useful in beri-beri, ophthalmology, dermatopathy, vaginopathy, and ulcers. Leaves of Pongamia pinnata are digestive, laxative, anthelmintic and are good for diarrhea, leprosy, dyspepsia and cough. Flowers are useful to quench dipsia in diabetes and for alleviating vata and kapha. The seeds are anthelmintic, bitter, acrid, haematinic and carminative. They are useful in inflammation, chronic fevers, anaemia and hemorrhoids. The oil is anthelmintic, styptic and recommended for opthalmia, leprosy, ulcers, herpes and lumbago. Its oil is a source of biodiesel