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गहतको आयुर्शास्त्रिय परिचय:
Dolichos biflorus Linn.
Synonym _ Vigna unquiculata (L.)Walp. (also: Macrotyloma uniflorum, most common)
Family _ Papilionaceae; Fabaceae.
English _ Horsegram.
Ayurvedic _ Kulattha, Kulittha, Khalva, Vardhipatraka.
Unani _ Kulthi.
Siddha/Tamil _ Kollu, Kaanam.
Action _ Plant—used in measles,
smallpox, adenitis, burns, sores.
Seeds—astringent, antipyretic,
diuretic. Decoction or soup is used
in affections of the liver and spleen,
intestinal colic, in leucorrhoea
and menstrual dissorders, urinary
discharges. A valuable protein
supplement.
The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of
of dry seeds in calculus (पत्थरी) and
amenorrhoea (स्थगित रजस्वला)
The seeds contain crude protein
20.8, pentosan 10.8 and water-soluble
gum 2.8%. The presence of antinutritional
components such as haemagglutinin
and a protease inhibitor has
been reported. The inhibitor activity
decreased during germination.
The mean protein value of the seeds
is 25.47% which is more or less equivalent
to soybean,winged bean and gram.
Nutritionally, the horsegram seeds are
richer in lysine content when compared
to Cajanus cajan (Arhar) pulse
and gram pulse.
Presence of vitamin A in the green
pods makes them a valuable diet for
children; green leaves may be used in
vitamin C deficiency syndrome, due to
the presence of ascorbic acid and calcium.
The seeds contain several common
phytosterols.
Strepogenin—several times higher
than in casein.
A decoction of seeds (soaked or
boiled in water) is prescribed as diuretic
and antilithiatic and has been
clinically established.
Diuretic activity of a dipeptide (pyroglutamylglutamine)
has been found
to be 2-3 times that of acetazolamide
in albino rats.
Globulin fraction of the seeds
showed hypolipidaemic effects in rats.
A lectin-like glycoprotein from
stems and leaves possesses carbohydrate-
binding activity.
Dosage _ Seed— 6 g powder;
decoction 50-100 ml. (CCRAS.)
Source: CP Khare, Indian Medicinal Plants: An Illustrated Dictionary, 2007