Non-Timber Forest Products Exchange Programme

NTFP Product Database

Product Details

Vanasura kodi PRODUCT NAME

Citrullus colocynthis (Linn.) Schrader = Cucumis colocynthis, Linn. SCIENTIFIC NAME

Common Name: Vanasura kodi
Local Name: Vanasura kodi (Irula); Sooral kodi (Kurumba); Tamil-Pei kummatti; Hindi-Indrayan; Telugu-Patsa kaya.
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Other Species of Same Genera:
Product Description: A slender climber Flower: Solitary, yellow Fruit: A globose berry. Striped green and white when young. Seeds may, ovoid. Tendrils bifid. Leaves 3-5 lo bed. Crushed leaves give a very strong smell.
NTFP Classification: Medicinal, aromatics and cosmetics, Food and food ingredients (plant-derived)

DISTRIBUTION

Countries Found: India
Description: Upto 1200m in hills. Common found in the Subtropics and Tropics. Also in semi dessert region

USES AND PARTS USED

Parts Used: seeds
Uses: Seeds resemble mint “shiva lingams.”
Origin:
Management Practices: Pulp of the fruit an important purgative. In Kurumba tradition, the leaves are cooked and eaten for relief from gastric problems; also given to women with lower back pain. This preparation is not given to children
Market Information:
Partners: Keystone Foundation

PARTNERS INVOLVED IN ACTIVITIES CONCERNING THIS NTFP

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