Chana — Bengal Gram

Ayurvedic herb Chana (Cicer arietinum) — Bengal Gram. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Kashaya, Virya Sheeta, Vipaka Katu. Balances Vata.

Ayurvedic Herbs A–Z 1 min read
This content is for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional.

Bengal gram is nourishing and helps in muscle building.

ⓘ Information
PropertyValueDescription
RasaKashayaKashaya (Astringent) — drying, absorbent, wound-healing
GunaGuru, RukshaGuru (Heavy) — increases bulk, grounding; Ruksha (Dry) — absorbs moisture, drying
ViryaSheetaSheeta (Cold) — cooling, decreases Pitta and inflammation
VipakaKatuKatu (Pungent) — post-digestive pungent, lightening
PrabhavaBrimhana, VrishyaBrimhana — tissue-building; Vrishya — aphrodisiac, enhances reproductive health

Sanskrit Synonyms

In the classical Ayurvedic texts, Chana is known by the following Sanskrit names:

Harimantha, Sakhalu, Vajimantha, Balabheshaja

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Chana are: bija.

Main Indications

Chana is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Vataroga, Kshaya, Jwara, Raktapitta, Prameha.

Dosha Effects

Chana pacifies Vata.

It may aggravate Pitta, Kapha when used in excess or in sensitive individuals.

Usage

Chana is used in classical Ayurvedic formulations. Consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner for appropriate dosage and preparation based on your constitution (Prakriti) and current imbalance (Vikriti).

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API)

Source: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India — Government of India, Ministry of AYUSH

Rasa (Taste)Kaṣ¡ya, Lavaḍa, Amla
Guna (Quality)Rūkṣa, Laghu
Virya (Potency)śita
Vipaka (Post-digestive effect)Kauu 69
Karma (Action)V¡takara, Pittahara, Kaphahara, Viṣuambhi, Balya, Rucikara, ādhm¡nak¡raka
DoseCūrḍa (powder) : 5 to 20 g
Therapeutic Uses: Annadrava¿ūla (gastric ulcer), Chardi (emesis), D¡ha (burning
Important Formulations: Kravy¡da Rasa, Caḍak¡mla, Caḍak¡di Lepa
Part Used: Whole Plant

Therapeutic Uses (IMPPAT Database)

Source: Indian Medicinal Plants, Phytochemistry And Therapeutics (IMPPAT) v1.0 — CC BY 4.0

Part UsedTherapeutic UseIdentifiersReferences
leafAnorexiaMESH:D000855,UMLS:C1971624, DOID:8689, ICD-11:MG43.7ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717031
leafAppetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172363178, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
leafAstringentsMESH:D001252,UMLS:C0004110, ICD-11:XM0VK6ISBN:9770972795006
leafBronchitisMESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717031
leafConstipationMESH:D003248,UMLS:C0009806, DOID:2089, ICD-11:ME05.0ISBN:9788171360536
leafDyspepsiaMESH:D004415,UMLS:C0013395, ICD-11:DD90.3ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717031
leafFractures, boneMESH:D050723,UMLS:C0016658, ICD-11:ND56.2ISBN:9770972795006
leafJoint dislocationsMESH:D004204,UMLS:C0012691, ICD-11:NA51.0ISBN:9788172363178
leafLaxativesMESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172363178, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
leafSprains and strainsMESH:D013180,UMLS:C0038048ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172363178
leafStomach diseasesMESH:D013272,UMLS:C0038354, DOID:76, ICD-11:DA4YISBN:9770972795006
leafTooth mobilityMESH:D014086,UMLS:C0040445ISBN:9770972795006
seedAnthelminticsMESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0ISBN:9770972795006
seedAnti-bacterial agentsMESH:D000900,UMLS:C0279516, ICD-11:XM8XH0ISBN:9770972795006
seedAntifungal agentsMESH:D000935,UMLS:C0003308, ICD-11:XM83G4ISBN:9770972795006
seedAntiviral agentsMESH:D000998,UMLS:C0003451ISBN:9770972795006
seedAphrodisiacsMESH:D001046,UMLS:C0003567ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717031
seedAstringentsMESH:D001252,UMLS:C0004110, ICD-11:XM0VK6ISBN:9770972795006, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
seedBronchitisMESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717031
seedCommon coldMESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00ISBN:9770972795006
seedConstipationMESH:D003248,UMLS:C0009806, DOID:2089, ICD-11:ME05.0ISBN:9770972795006
seedContraceptive agentsMESH:D003270,UMLS:C0009871ISBN:9770972795006
seedCoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9770972795006
seedDandruffMESH:D063807,UMLS:C0221244, ICD-11:EA81.1ISBN:9770972795006
seedDiarrheaMESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1ISBN:9770972795006
seedDiet, food, and nutritionMESH:D000066888,UMLS:C4042949ISBN:9788172363178
seedDiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
seedDysenteryMESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.ZISBN:9770972795006
seedDysentery, amebicMESH:D004404,UMLS:C0013370, ICD-11:1A36.00ISBN:9770972795006
seedDyspepsiaMESH:D004415,UMLS:C0013395, ICD-11:DD90.3ISBN:9770972795006
seedExpectorantsMESH:D005100,UMLS:C0015314ISBN:9788173717031
seedHeadacheMESH:D006261,UMLS:C0018681, ICD-11:8A81.ZISBN:9770972795006
seedHemagglutinationMESH:D006384,UMLS:C0018903ISBN:9770972795006
seedHepatomegalyMESH:D006529,UMLS:C0019209, ICD-11:ME10.00ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717031
seedHypercholesterolemiaMESH:D006937,UMLS:C0020443, ICD-11:5C80.0ISBN:9788172360481
seedHyperlipidemiasMESH:D006949,UMLS:C0020473, ICD-11:5C80.ZISBN:9788172362089
seedInflammationMESH:D007249,UMLS:C0021368ISBN:9788173717031
seedLaryngeal diseasesMESH:D007818,UMLS:C0023051, DOID:786, ICD-11:CA0H.YISBN:9788173717031
seedLeprosyMESH:D007918,UMLS:C0023343, DOID:1024, ICD-11:1B20ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717031
seedLeukemiaMESH:D007938,UMLS:C0023418, DOID:1240, ICD-11:2B33.4ISBN:9788172362089
seedMalnutritionMESH:D044342,UMLS:C0162429, ICD-11:5B7ZPharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
seedMenstruationMESH:D008598,UMLS:C0025344Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
seedPainMESH:D010146,UMLS:C0030193, ICD-11:MG3ZISBN:9788173717031
seedParasympatholyticsMESH:D010276,UMLS:C0030511, ICD-11:XM3A77ISBN:9788172360481
seedPharyngitisMESH:D010612,UMLS:C0031350, DOID:2275, ICD-11:CA02.ZISBN:9770972795006
seedIncrease physical endurance, strength and staminaMESH:D010807ISBN:9788172362089
seedGeneral tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016ISBN:9770972795006, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
seedScurvyMESH:D012614,UMLS:C0036474, DOID:13724, ICD-11:5B56.0Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
seedSkin diseasesMESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717031
seedSnake bitesMESH:D012909,UMLS:C0037379ISBN:9770972795006
seedSplenomegalyMESH:D013163,UMLS:C0038002, ICD-11:ME10.01ISBN:9788171360536
seedStress, physiologicalMESH:D013312,UMLS:C0449430, ICD-11:6E40.4ISBN:9788172362089
seedThirstMESH:D013894ISBN:9788173717031
seedUrination disordersMESH:D014555,UMLS:C0042035, ICD-11:GB0YISBN:9770972795006
seedVomitingMESH:D014839,UMLS:C0042963, ICD-11:MD90.1ISBN:9770972795006, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
shootAstringentsMESH:D001252,UMLS:C0004110, ICD-11:XM0VK6ISBN:9770972795006
shootConstipationMESH:D003248,UMLS:C0009806, DOID:2089, ICD-11:ME05.0ISBN:9770972795006
shootDyspepsiaMESH:D004415,UMLS:C0013395, ICD-11:DD90.3ISBN:9770972795006
shootSnake bitesMESH:D012909,UMLS:C0037379ISBN:9770972795006
shootSunstrokeMESH:D013474,UMLS:C0038819, ICD-11:NF01.0ISBN:9770972795006
stemJaundiceMESH:D007565,UMLS:C0022346, ICD-11:ME10.1ISBN:9770972795006
whole plantAbdominal painMESH:D015746,UMLS:C0000737, SYMP:0000457, ICD-11:MD81.4ISBN:9788190595216
whole plantAsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9788190595216
whole plantCachexiaMESH:D002100,UMLS:C0006625, ICD-11:MG20.ZISBN:9788190595216
whole plantCoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9788190595216
whole plantMetabolismMESH:D008660, ICD-11:XM3BT8ISBN:9788190595216
whole plantPainMESH:D010146,UMLS:C0030193, ICD-11:MG3ZISBN:9788190595216
whole plantRhinitisMESH:D012220,UMLS:C0035455, DOID:4483, ICD-11:CA09.0ISBN:9788190595216
whole plantStomach ulcerMESH:D013276,UMLS:C0038358, ICD-11:DA60ISBN:9788190595216
whole plantThirstMESH:D013894ISBN:9788190595216
whole plantVomitingMESH:D014839,UMLS:C0042963, ICD-11:MD90.1ISBN:9788190595216
AnthelminticsMESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0ISBN:9770972795006
Antihypertensive agentsMESH:D000959,UMLS:C0003364, ICD-11:XM2PT6ISBN:9788172362089
AphrodisiacsMESH:D001046,UMLS:C0003567ISBN:9788172363178
AstringentsMESH:D001252,UMLS:C0004110, ICD-11:XM0VK6ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172363178, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
AtherosclerosisMESH:D050197,UMLS:C0004153, DOID:1936, ICD-11:BD40.ZISBN:9788172362089
ConstipationMESH:D003248,UMLS:C0009806, DOID:2089, ICD-11:ME05.0ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266
Diabetes mellitusMESH:D003920,UMLS:C0011849, DOID:9351, ICD-11:5A14ISBN:9770972795006
DiarrheaMESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9780387706375
Digestive system diseasesMESH:D004066,UMLS:C0012242, ICD-11:DE2ZISBN:9770972795006
DiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9788172363178
DysenteryMESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9780387706375
DysmenorrheaMESH:D004412,UMLS:C0013390, ICD-11:GA34.3ISBN:9788171360536, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
DyspepsiaMESH:D004415,UMLS:C0013395, ICD-11:DD90.3ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172363178
EdemaMESH:D004487,UMLS:C0013604, ICD-11:MG29.1ISBN:9770972795006
FeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
Fissure in anoMESH:D005401,UMLS:C0016167, ICD-11:DB50.0ISBN:9770972795006
Gastric acidMESH:D005744,UMLS:C0017119ISBN:9770972795006
Gastrointestinal diseasesMESH:D005767,UMLS:C0017178, DOID:77, ICD-11:DE2ZISBN:9770972795006
HypercholesterolemiaMESH:D006937,UMLS:C0020443, ICD-11:5C80.0ISBN:9770972795006
Kidney calculiMESH:D007669,UMLS:C0022650, ICD-11:GB70.0ISBN:9770972795006
Lung diseasesMESH:D008171,UMLS:C0024115, DOID:850, ICD-11:CB40.YISBN:9770972795006
Snake bitesMESH:D012909,UMLS:C0037379ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266
ToothacheMESH:D014098,UMLS:C0040460, ICD-11:DA0A.YISBN:9770972795006
UlcerMESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582ISBN:9770972795006
Uterine diseasesMESH:D014591,UMLS:C0042131, DOID:345, ICD-11:GA1YISBN:9770972795006
VomitingMESH:D014839,UMLS:C0042963, ICD-11:MD90.1ISBN:9770972795006
Cooling effect on bodyUMLS:C0678568ISBN:9770972795006, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I