Vidanga – Embelia ribes Benefits, Usage, Dose, Side Effects

Vidanga is one of the powerful anti-parasitic herbs of Ayurveda. It is widely used against intestinal worm infestation. Its botanical name is Embelia ribes. It is called False black pepper because it mimics pepper in appearance. 
Botanical Name– Embelia ribes Burm. F
Family– MYRSINACEAE – Vidanga Kula.

Medicinal Properties

Rasa (taste) – Katu (pungent), Kashaya (Astringent)
Guna (qualities)– Laghu (lightness), Ruksha (dryness),Teekshna (piercing, strong)
Virya– Ushna – hot potency
Vipaka– Katu – Undergoes pungent taste conversion after digestion.
Prabhava – Special effect – Krumighna – relieves worm infestation. 

Effect on Tridosha

Because of its hot potency, it balances Kapha and Vata Doshas.

Pharmacological activities

Anthelminthic, Anti fungal, Anti oxidant, Stimulant

Part used, dosage

Part used– Fruits, root
Dosage– Powder 3-5 g per day, in divided dose is the usual prescribed dose.
To relieve worm infestation it is given in a dose of 5 – 10 grams

Sanskrit verse

Therapeutic benefits

Of all the herbs used in treating worm infestation, Vidanga is the best.
Sara – eases the movement of contents in the intestinal track.
Krumihara – useful in worm infestation
Krumikushta – useful in infective skin diseases
Pramehahara – useful in diabetes
Shirorogahara – useful in headache
Vahnikara – improves appetite
Shulahara – useful in abdominal colic pain
Adhmanahara – relieves bloating
Udarahara – useful in abdominal distension, ascites
Shleshma Krumihara – useful in worm infestation of Kapha origin
Vatahara – Balances Vata
Vibandhanut – relieves constipation
Artinut – relieves pain
Agnimandyahara – relieves indigestion, weak digestion
Aruchihara – relieves anorexia
Vibhrantihara –relieves dizziness
It does Shirovirechana – expelling Doshas out of the body from head. Hence used as ingredient in many nasal drops and Nasya oils like Anu tail and Shadbindu Tail.
Usually when medicine is given for de-worming the intestines, it is associated with another laxative ingredient so as to ease the dead worms out of the intestines. But while administering Embelia ribes for the purpose of de-worming, an extra laxative is not required because Vidanga itself is a mild laxative.
The word Krumighna does not suggest only towards intestinal worm. The word meaning also encompasses microbial infection as well. Hence Vidanga is an essential ingredient in many anti-microbial medicines like Sanjivani Vati and Panchanimbadi Vati.
It detoxifies blood, hence useful in wide range of skin diseases.
It has contraceptive effect, along with Pippali (long pepper)
It improves skin complexion and also used for rejuvenation purpose.
Its water decoction is used for oil pulling to relieve dental caries and bad breath
In skin diseases, it is used both orally and externally in the form of paste. Hence it is used in skin pastes like Pathyadi Lepa
It has mild diuretic action. Hence used in dysuria.
It is useful against vomiting, bloating, indigestion, gastritis and constipation.
It is widely used in weight loss treatment. Hence ingredient of many medicines like Amrutadi Guggulu

Research

Wound healing activity of Embelin, a chemical constituent of Vidanga.
Experimental evaluation in efficacy against dyslipidemia
Antihistaminic and bronchodilatory activity

Side effects

Because of its contraceptive effect, its long term usage should be done with care in cases of infertility.
There are no known side effects with this herb.
It is used in children and lactating mothers. But pregnant ladies should seek medical advice.

Interaction with medicines, supplements

Can this be used while taking Homeopathic medicine?
Yes. This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.

Can this medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin tablets, Omega 3 fatty acids etc?
Yes. Generally, this product goes well with most of the dietary supplements. However, if you are taking more than one product per day, please consult your doctor for an opinion.

With western medicines
Seek your doctor’s advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic / modern) medicines. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is best to take Allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes and then take the Ayurvedic medicine.

Use as dusting powder

Vidang as a dusting powder:
Charaka explained Vidang as one among Avachurnana dravya, along with herbs like Kushta, Musta, Lodhra, Sarjarasa etc. The body of the patient is smeared with sesame oil. Then the body is dusted with the above powder mix. Dusting process is called Avachurnana.
It relieves Kitibha –  ringworm, Kandu – pruritis, Pama – keloids, Vicharchika – Eczema. Reference: (Charaka Sutrasthana 5th chapter)

For plants to flower in all seasons:
Mixture of Sesame oil cakes, Vidanga (Embelia ribes), sugar cane juice and cow dung is sprinkled to the root of a plant. This practice enables flowering of the plant in all the seasons. (Reference: Vriksha Ayurveda)

Use in gastritis

Is Vidanga Useful in Amlapitta (gastritis)?
Vidang is one of the prime herbs used in gastritis or amlapitta treatment. It is also very useful in H Pylori infection.
Many Ayurvedic products that are used for the treatment of gastric conditions contain Vidanga as main ingredient. For example –
Mahadraksha, Vidangasava, Avipattikar Churna etc.

Distribution

It is distributed throughout India. It is also cultivated.

Major chemical constituents

Embelin, Christembine, Homoembelin, Vilangine, Quercitol etc.
(Reference: Illustrated Dravyaguna Vijnana, Vol. II, by Dr JLN Shastry)

Vernacular Names

Hindi Name-Vaividang, Vay Vidang, Baibidang, Bhabhirang
Telugu Name– Vayu Vidangalu
Bengali Name– Vidang, Bidang
Marathi Name– Bavidang
Punjabi Name– Bavidang
Gujarati Name– Bavadang
Tamil & Kannada Name– Vilanga, vayu vilanga, vayu vidanga
Malayalam Name– Vijhala,

Sanskrit Synonyms

Jantuhantri, Krimighna – useful in worm infestation
Chitra Tandula – The seeds contain white streaks
Amogha – effective herb in worm infestation
Vella – Plant looks like creeper as it has delicate branches
Kairali – Commonly used in Kerala
Mrigagamini – Used as veterinary medicine
Kirita – Commonly found in hilly region
Sweta Tandula – Seed is white spotted
Gahvara

Classical Categorization

Charaka–
Krimigna – group of herbs used in treating worm infestation
Kushtaghna – group of herbs used in skin diseases.
Truptighna – group of herbs used in relieving satiation.
Sushruta– Surasadi, Pippalyadi
Vagbhata– Surasadi, Pippalyadi
Bh. Pr. ni – Haritakyadi varga

Different varieties

At the present Embelia Tsjeriam- Cottom-R.et.S
A.Dc- E. Robusta C.B Clarke is supplied as Vidanga at most of the places in India. P.V Sharmaji reported that Myrsine Africana Linn. is adulterated for Vidanga.

Adulterants

Myrsine africana

Morphology

Habit-Large scandent shrub.
Branches-Long, slender, flexible, terete with long internodes.
Bark-Studded with lenticules
Leaves – elliptic or elliptic lanceolate, obtusely acuminate, entire, glabrous on both the sides, shining above, paler and silvery beneath, whole surface covered with scattered minute reddish sunken gland. Base is rounded or acute, main nerves are numerous.

Inflorescence-Laxed terminal or axillary panicled raceme.

Flowers- Numerous, small, greenish yellow colored. petals are 5 in number, free, 4 mm long, stamens are 5, shorter than the petals.

Fruit-Globose, smooth, succulent, black when ripe, like a pepper corn when dried, tipped with the persistent style.

Useful part-Fruit

Market sample contains globular fruits dull red or brown colour more often with a five partite persistent calyx and a short stalk. The surface of the fruit is warty. The thin pericarp encloses a single seed of red colour which is enveloped in a delicate membrane. It has got faint spicy odour, tastes pungent.