Details

Clearing Nut / Tetran Kottai / Nirmalli Seeds Powder

Tamil : Thetran Kottai - தேத்தான் கொட்டை

Malayalam : Tettamparal

Hindi : samaashodhan akharot

Telugu : చిల్లగింజ

Botanical : Strychnos potatorum

Description

The clearing nuts of India are the product of a tree which is described as larger than that of the nux vomica. It is without thorns or tendrils; leaves very shortly petioled, elliptic, acute, glabrous, membranaceous, five- and almost penninerved; corymbs axillary, opposite, shorter than the leaf; corolla hirsute within; berry one-seeded; flowers greenish-yellow, fragrant. It is found on the Coromandel coast, the Concans and the western Ghauts, flowering in April.

Benefits & Uses

The fruit, says Ainslie, when very young, is made into a preserve and eaten, but is reckoned, in its mature state, amongst the emetics of the Tamil doctors of southern India, given in powder in the quantity of about half a teaspoonful. The dried seeds are used for the purpose of clearing muddy water, one of them being usually rubbed hard for a short time round the inside of the earthen pot; the water is afterwards poured into it, and left to settle. The impurities soon subsiding, the water will be found clear, tasteless, and wholesome. Roxburgh adds that the natives never drink clear well-water if they can get pond or river water, which is always more or less impure, according to circumstances. These seeds are therefore constantly carried about by the more provident part of our officers and soldiers in time of war, to enable them to purify their water, they are easier obtained than alum, and probably less hurtful.

The tree grows to a larger size than the nux vomica, and is not so common, being only found amongst mountains and woods of great extent, flowering during the hot season. The berry is shining, and black when ripe, containing only one seed, whereas that of nux vomica is many-seeded. Roxburgh says the wood is hard and durable, and is used for various economical purposes. The seed is broadly lenticular, about half an inch in diameter and a quarter of an inch in thickness; of a dirty whitish grey color, and covered with a thick coating of delicate appressed hairs. These hairs are in bundles of from three to six, agglutinated together longitudinally; but when separated each hair is seen to be a simple, pointed, cylindrical cell. To the naked eye, the surface of the seeds appears to be mealy rather than hairy.

The seeds in powder, mixed with honey, are applied to boils to hasten suppuration; also with milk in sore eyes. The seeds are employed as a remedy in diabetes; and they are mentioned in the Taleef Shereef as useful in gonorrhoea, etc. Their chief use, however, consists in their application to the clearing of muddy water.

Dosage

Side Effects

There are no known side effects with this herb. Seek medical advice for its use during pregnancy.

Harvesting & Manufacturing Methodology:

All our herbs are Harvested Organically, dried, and pulverized with no chemical interactions ensuring 100% natural herbal powders.

Disclaimer:

The information on the Site is provided for educational or information purposes only; please consult your own healthcare practitioner before use