Sanskrit Name: भल्लातक (Bhallataka) 

Botanical name: Semecarpus anacardium L. f.

Family: Anacardiaceae

English name: Marking nut tree

Malayalam name: ചേര്

Distribution: Found in tropical and subtropical regions of India, in semi-evergreen and most deciduous forest.

Part used: Fruits- Nut

Toxic by nature, purified and used in Ayurveda medicines.

Chief Chemical Constituents: Bhilawanol and cardol.

Sodhana: Ripe seeds of Bhallataka are taken, and put into water. Only those which sink are used for purification. The seed is cut into two and kept immersed in dry brick powder for some time. During this time, the dry brick powder absorbs all the strong pungent oil.

Properties: Carminative, purgative, hepatoprotective, nerve tonic, anti-proliferative, anti-oxidant, aphrodisiac, nootropic, cytotoxic.

Useful in: Liver diseases, neuromuscular diseases, tumours, cancer, cough, asthma, piles, diarrhoea, dysentery, skin diseases and digestive disorders.

Research Updates:

1. T, Sulaiman C et al. “Purification of Bhallathaka (Semecarpus anacardium L.f.) enhanced anti-cancer activity.” Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTPvol. 122 (2021): 104898. doi:10.1016/j.yrtph.2021.104898
2. Suchitha, G P et al. “Uncovering the anticancer effects of Bhallataka Taila in lung cancer: A metabolomic and network pharmacology approach.” BioImpacts : BIvol. 15 30568. 16 Apr. 2025, doi:10.34172/bi.30568
3. Madduru Muni, H., & Jadar, P. G. (2025). Preliminary pharmaceutico – analytical analysis and FTIR evaluation of Bhallataka (Semecarpus anacardium) before and after purification using Narikela jala (Coconut water) as shodana media. International Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine, 16(3), 762–769. https://doi.org/10.47552/ijam.v16i3.5929
4. Rastogi, Sanjeev, and Preeti Pandey. “Idiosyncratic adversity reported after oral consumption of an ayurvedic formulation containing bhallataka (Semecarpus anacardium): A case report.” Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicinevol. 13,4 (2022): 100635. doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2022.100635