A Key Role of Bhallataka (Semecarpus anacardium Linn.) in the Management of Respiratory Tract Disorders: A Review

Respiratory tract disorders are the leading problem of recent era and the reasons are increased pollution, smoking habits, dust, poor digestion etc. There are several traditional remedies used since ancient times to manage acute episodes of respiratory tract disorders but most of them are with maximum and irreversible adverse effects. So we have to use ayurvedic herbs which have significant potsential in respiratory tract disorders and minimum side effects. Bhallataka is one of them and is widely used by traditional healers in disorders like common cold, cough, asthma etc. In ayurvedic literature use of bhallataka oil with milk has been elaborated to cure respiratory disorders, as it is said that there is no any kapha dosha vikruti which cannot be cured by bhallataka. This plant is also known as geeru beeja locally and marking nut in english. It is easily available, cost effective and has many ethno-medicinal uses. Semecarpus anacardium Linn. is a botanical name of Bhallataka belongs to family Anacardeaceae. It contains phytoconstituents like bhilawanol, bioflavonoids, phenolic compounds etc. There are several studies, which have been conducted for anti- inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti- oxidant, anti-reproductive and anticancerous activities of bhallataka. Current review aims to study the anti- inflammatory and antimicrobial action of bhallataka w.s.r. to respiratory tract disorders as well as its ayurvedic aspect to cure kapha dosha vikruti.