Alangium Salvifolium (Ankol)

Ankol (Alangium Salvifolium) is an ayurvedic medicinal plant used for the treatment of hemorrhoids, rheumatic arthritis, loose stools, herpes, blood disorders etc.

Each part of ankol tree has several medicinal values. For example, seeds are aphrodisiac and provide strength to the body. Athletes use Ankol seeds to increase physical endurance and stamina for exercises.

Ankol oil is beneficial in itching, eczema, herpes and other skin diseases due to its antipruritic characteristic.

Botanical Classification (Taxonomy)

* Botanically accepted Name of Genus is CORNACEAE.

Other Names

Medicinal Parts

1. Ankol root bark
2. Ankol Oil
3. Leaves
4. Flowers
5. Fruits
6. Seeds

Generally, Ankol root bark and Ankol oil are used in ayurvedic medicine. Other parts are rarely used. Seeds work as a general tonic and increase physical endurance and exercise stamina in athletes.

Phytochemistry (Chemical Composition)

The essential oil extracted from the roots of Alangium Salvifolium (Ankol) contains about 90 compounds. The main phytochemicals found are as follows:

1. EPI-α-CADINOL
2. TRANS-2-HYDROXYCALAMENENE
3. CADALENE
4. CADINA-4,10(15)-DIEN-3-ONE
5. 8-DIHYDROXYCALAMENAL

8-DIHYDROXYCALAMENAL (CADINANE-TYPE SESQUITERPENOID) has antioxidant action and TYROSINASE inhibitory activities. TYROSINASE inhibitory action may help in hyper-pigmentation. ⁽¹⁾

Medicinal Properties

Ankol (Alangium Salvifolium) has following healing properties.

Ankol Roots

• Analgesic
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-arthritic
• Anti-rheumatic
• Antispasmodic
• Muscle relaxant
• Carminative
• Anthelmintic
• Anticancer
• Anthelmintic
• Antiprotozoal
• Anti-hypertensive (due to vasodilator characteristic)
• Hypoglycemic
• Antipyretic

Ankol Seeds

• Antidiabetic
• Anticancer
• Diuretic
• Anti-Inflammatory
• Antimicrobial
• Laxative
• Antiepileptic

Ankol Oil

• Antipruritics (Ankol Oil)
• Demulcent (Ankol oil)

Ankol Fruits

• Laxative or Purgative
• Aphrodisiac
• Expectorant
• Carminative
• Antidote of snake bites
• Antidote of scorpion stings

Ankol Stem

• Anti-diarrheal
• Antiemetic

Ankol Leaves

• Analgesic
• Anti-rheumatic

Therapeutic Indications

Ankol (Alangium Salvifolium) is helpful in following health conditions.

Ankol Root & Stem Bark

• Fever – As Antipyretic And Antimicrobial (Root Bark)
• Arthritis (Ankol Stem and roots)
• Rheumatic pains (Ankol Stem and roots)
• Backache (Ankol roots)
• Influenza (Root Bark)
• Animal Bites (Root Bark)
• General Body Aches (Root Bark)
• Jaundice (Root Bark With Rice Water For Nasal Administration)
• Urticaria or Chronic Hives
• Diarrhea (Ankol Stem & roots)
• Vomiting (Ankol Stem)
• Constipation (Ankol roots)
• Piles (Ankol roots) – rarely used
• Worms (Ankol roots) – rarely used
• Hypertension (Ankol roots)
• Breathing Troubles & Asthma (Ankol Leaves)

Ankol Oil

• Rejuvenation & Delaying Aging (Nasal Administration)
• Premature Discharge- Application on and around navel (umbilicus)
• Boils – local application
• Itching – local application
• Scabies – local application
• Urticaria – local application

Ankol Leaves

• Breathing troubles & Asthma (Ankol Leaves)
• Rheumatic pains (Ankol leaves paste – local application)
• Osteoarthritis (Ankol leaves paste – local application)

Ankol Fruits

• Physical Weakness
• Aphrodisiac
• Bleeding disorders – Nosebleed & Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Benefits & Medicinal Uses

Various research studies have shown that Ankol has significant anticancer, antitumor, antibacterial, Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties. Due to wide range of medicinal properties, Ankol (Alangium Salvifolium) is used for diabetes, epilepsy, pain disorders, and inflammatory diseases. The seeds are not used commonly in ayurveda. The Ankol oil, whole fruits and root bark are more beneficial.

Ankol Roots Benefits & Uses

Here are benefits and medicinal uses of Ankol Root Bark:

Fever as Antipyretic

Ankol root bark in dosage of 250 mg to 500 mg reduces fever by inducing sweating. It is also effective for reducing chills and excessive thirst associated with fever. In addition to antipyretic action, Ankol roots also have antimicrobial and antibacterial action, which help reduce infection and inhibition of bacterial growth.

Arthritis & Joint Pains

The roots of Ankol have analgesic and anti-inflammatory action, which can help in arthritis and joint pains.

SALVIIFOSIDES A, a phytochemical found in Alangium Salvifolium exerts COX-2 inhibitory effects, according to a recent study. ⁽²⁾

The anti-inflammatory characteristic of Alangium Salvifolium Root extract is comparable with DICLOFENAC SODIUM. ⁽³⁾

In ayurveda, Ankol root bark is used for its pain relieving properties along with other herbs. In combination with following adjuvants, Ankol root bark powder helps reducing inflammation and pain.

Alangium Salvifolium stem bark also exhibits anti- arthritic activity. ⁽⁴⁾ Therefore, Ankol stem bark can be used when root bark is not available.

Influenza

Ankol root bark reduces influenza symptoms. It works well when one has feverish feeling with chills, runny nose and body aches. It reduces fever and chills by inducing sweating. In combination with following adjuvants, Ankol root bark help treat influenza.

Sitopaladi churna can be added in this combination for speeding up the recovery from the influenza.

Animal Bite

Ankol is used for treating animal bite. According to Vagbhata, the paste made of Ankol root bark and goat urine should be applied on the rat bite. In addition to its application, Ankol root bark should also be taken internally in the dosage of 250 to 500 mg twice or thrice a day until rat bite fever and other including muscle ache, headache and joint pain disappear. In case rashes occur, then Ankol oil can also be used for local application.

In case of Dog Bite, Ankol root bark powder with cow’s milk should be given to the patients 2 – 3 times a day. According to Brihad Kashyapa, Ankol root bark is also beneficial in cases of spider bite and snakebite.

General Body Aches

Ankol root bark powder in dosage of 250 mg with honey reduces general body aches and feverish feeling.

Urticaria (Chronic Hives)

Ankol root has potential to cure the Urticaria or Chronic Hives. It has antipruritic, anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.

Ankol root bark powder in dosage of 500 mg twice daily with Haridra Khand is a good remedy for chronic hives. However, this combination should be taken for at least one month. For local application, Ankol Oil is best.

Jaundice

Ankol root bark powder reduces bilirubin level and anti-inflammatory action reduces inflammation of the liver. Anti-microbial properties fight off liver infections.

The Nasya (Nasal Administration) of Ankol root bark powder along with rice water is given to treat the jaundice.

Diarrhea & IBS

Ankol root bark powder with rice water is given in loose stools or diarrhea. This combination also reduces loose stools frequency in irritable bowel syndrome.

Ankol Oil Benefits & Uses

Early Discharge

According to Rasaratna Samuccaya, Appling Ankol Oil on navel helps increase time and prevents premature discharge.

Rejuvenation & Delaying Aging

According to Rasaratna Samuccaya, taking Nasya of Ankol oil rejuvenates the body, increases lifespan and delays aging.

Headache

Ankol oil has soothing and strengthening properties by which it gives relief from nerve irritation and provides strength to the brain. Generally, recurrence of headaches is caused by the nervine weakness in which 5 to 10 drops of Ankol oil with 250 ml goat’s milk or cow’s milk is more beneficial. In addition to this, Ashwagandha is also beneficial in such cases.

Ankol Seeds & Fruits Benefits

Physical Weakness

Ankol Seeds and Fruits have cool potency according to ayurveda and increases body strength. Fruits are nutritious and commonly used as health tonic.

Aphrodisiac

However, both Ankol seeds and Fruits are used for the Aphrodisiac benefits, but the Aphrodisiac action is more potent in Ankol Fruits as compared to seeds and other parts of the plant, so ayurvedic physician use it in impotency and disorders of male reproductive system.

Bleeding Disorders

Ankol Seeds & Fruits have stops bleeding. Fruits and seeds are taken with Misri powder in nosebleed and mouth bleeding (gastrointestinal bleeding).

Dosage & Administration

The maximum daily dosage of Ankol should not exceed from 2 grams a day. For your reference, here is therapeutic dosage table according to its medicinal parts.

Safety Profile

Ankol roots are POSSIBLY SAFE in dosage less than 2000 mg a day. The excess dosage and unwise use of Ankol (Alangium Salvifolium) roots can result in severe side effects.

Side effects of the Ankol Roots

• Severe burning sensation
• Stomach upset
• Discomfort feeling in the abdomen
• Headache
• Vertigo (reeling sensation)
• Insomnia

Side Effects of Ankol Seeds & Fruits

The most common side effect of Ankol seeds and fruit is loss of appetite. However, no other adverse effect is observed.

Antidote of Ankol Toxicity

Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus Pluricaulis) is antidote of Ankol Toxicity. It is boiled in cow’s milk and then sugar is added in the milk. This Shankhpushpi milk helps reducing side effects that occurs due to excess or wrong dosage of any part of ankol plant.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Ankol (Alangium Salvifolium) root bark extract is LIKELY UNSAFE in pregnancy and breastfeeding. You should avoid it using in pregnancy or consult an ayurvedic physician.