Kapittha — Wood Apple

Ayurvedic herb Kapittha (Limonia acidissima) — Wood Apple. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Kashaya, Amla, Virya Sheeta, Vipaka Katu. Balances Vata, Kapha.

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

Wood Apple is used to treat chronic diarrhea and dysentery; the unripe fruit is a powerful astringent.

ⓘ Information
PropertyValueDescription
RasaKashaya, AmlaKashaya (Astringent) — drying, absorbent, wound-healing; Amla (Sour) — stimulates digestion, salivation, cleansing
GunaLaghu, RukshaLaghu (Light) — easy to digest, promotes lightness; Ruksha (Dry) — absorbs moisture, drying
ViryaSheetaSheeta (Cold) — cooling, decreases Pitta and inflammation
VipakaKatuKatu (Pungent) — post-digestive pungent, lightening
PrabhavaGrahi, DeepanaGrahi — absorbent, improves assimilation, stops diarrhea; Deepana — kindles digestive fire without digesting ama

Sanskrit Synonyms

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

Dadhittha, Surabhichhada, Pushpaphal, Dantasatha

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Kapittha are: phala, patra, twak.

Main Indications

Kapittha is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Atisara, Grahani, Hikka, Chhardi, Visha.

Dosha Effects

Kapittha pacifies Vata, Kapha.

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

Usage

Kapittha 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)Madhura, Amla, Kaṣ¡ya, / Unripe Pulp: Amla, Kaṣ¡ya
Guna (Quality)Laghu, / Unripe Pulp: Guru
Virya (Potency)śita, / Unripe Pulp: Uṣna
Vipaka (Post-digestive effect)Madhura, / Unripe Pulp: Amla
Karma (Action)Vrṣya, Pittav¡tahara, Sa´gr¡hi, Vraḍan¡¿aka, / Unripe Pulp: Kaphaghna, Lekhana, Gr¡hi, V¡tala
Dose1-3 g of the drug in powder form.
Therapeutic Uses: Ripe- Trṣḍ¡, Hikk¡, śv¡sa, Vami, Unripe- Grahaḍi Roga,
Important Formulations: Kapitth¡ṣuaka Cūrḍa, Yav¡ny¡di Cūrḍa
Part Used: Fr. Pulp.

Therapeutic Uses (IMPPAT Database)

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

Part UsedTherapeutic UseIdentifiersReferences
barkAnorexiaMESH:D000855,UMLS:C1971624, DOID:8689, ICD-11:MG43.7ISBN:9788173717048
barkAntiemeticsMESH:D000932,UMLS:C0003297, ICD-11:XM4VY6ISBN:9788173717048
barkBronchitisMESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20ISBN:9788173717048
barkCardiotonic agentsMESH:D002316,UMLS:C0007209, ICD-11:XM91S1ISBN:9788173717048
barkCoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717048
barkDiarrheaMESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1ISBN:9788173717048
barkExpectorantsMESH:D005100,UMLS:C0015314ISBN:9788173717048
barkFlatulenceMESH:D005414,UMLS:C0016204, ICD-11:ME08ISBN:9788173717048
barkHeart diseasesMESH:D006331,UMLS:C0018799, DOID:114, ICD-11:BC4ZISBN:9788173717048
barkHiccupMESH:D006606,UMLS:C0019521, ICD-11:MD11.6ISBN:9788173717048
barkStomach diseasesMESH:D013272,UMLS:C0038354, DOID:76, ICD-11:DA4YISBN:9788173717048
barkSyphilisMESH:D013587,UMLS:C0039128, DOID:4166, ICD-11:1A6ZISBN:9770972795006
barkVomitingMESH:D014839,UMLS:C0042963, ICD-11:MD90.1ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717048, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
barkWounds and injuriesMESH:D014947,UMLS:C0043251ISBN:9770972795006
fruitAnorexiaMESH:D000855,UMLS:C1971624, DOID:8689, ICD-11:MG43.7ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717048
fruitAntidotesMESH:D000931,UMLS:C0003295, ICD-11:XM1S43ISBN:9788173717048
fruitAntiemeticsMESH:D000932,UMLS:C0003297, ICD-11:XM4VY6ISBN:9788173717048
fruitAntipruriticsMESH:D000982,UMLS:C0003417, ICD-11:EC90ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717048
fruitAppetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447ISBN:9788173717048, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
fruitAsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717048
fruitAstringentsMESH:D001252,UMLS:C0004110, ICD-11:XM0VK6ISBN:9770972795006, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
fruitCardiotonic agentsMESH:D002316,UMLS:C0007209, ICD-11:XM91S1ISBN:9788173717048
fruitConstipationMESH:D003248,UMLS:C0009806, DOID:2089, ICD-11:ME05.0ISBN:9788171360536
fruitCoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717048
fruitDiarrheaMESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1ISBN:9788173717048
fruitDiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9788173717048
fruitDysenteryMESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.ZISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717048
fruitDyspepsiaMESH:D004415,UMLS:C0013395, ICD-11:DD90.3ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717048
fruitEaracheMESH:D004433,UMLS:C0013456, ICD-11:AB70.2ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717048
fruitEndophthalmitisMESH:D009877,UMLS:C0014236, DOID:4692, ICD-11:9C21ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717048
fruitExpectorantsMESH:D005100,UMLS:C0015314ISBN:9788173717048
fruitGingivitisMESH:D005891,UMLS:C0017574, DOID:3087, ICD-11:DA0B.YISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717048
fruitHeadacheMESH:D006261,UMLS:C0018681, ICD-11:8A81.ZISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717048
fruitHeart diseasesMESH:D006331,UMLS:C0018799, DOID:114, ICD-11:BC4ZISBN:9788173717048
fruitHiccupMESH:D006606,UMLS:C0019521, ICD-11:MD11.6ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717048
fruitHyperglycemiaMESH:D006943,UMLS:C0020456, DOID:4195, ICD-11:MA18.0ISBN:9770972795006
fruitHyperlipidemiasMESH:D006949,UMLS:C0020473, ICD-11:5C80.ZISBN:9770972795006
fruitInsect bites and stingsMESH:D007299,UMLS:C0021568, ICD-11:EK50.0ISBN:9770972795006
fruitLeukorrheaMESH:D007973,UMLS:C0023533, DOID:3766, ICD-11:MF3AISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717048
fruitMenorrhagiaMESH:D008595,UMLS:C0025323, ICD-11:GA20.50ISBN:9770972795006
fruitNeoplasmsMESH:D009369,UMLS:C0027651, DOID:162, ICD-11:2E2ZISBN:9788173717048
fruitPainMESH:D010146,UMLS:C0030193, ICD-11:MG3ZISBN:9788173717048
fruitGeneral tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016ISBN:9770972795006, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
fruitScurvyMESH:D012614,UMLS:C0036474, DOID:13724, ICD-11:5B56.0ISBN:9788173717048
fruitStomach diseasesMESH:D013272,UMLS:C0038354, DOID:76, ICD-11:DA4YISBN:9770972795006
fruitStomatitisMESH:D013280,UMLS:C0038362, DOID:9637, ICD-11:DA01ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717048
fruitThirstMESH:D013894ISBN:9788173717048
fruitUlcerMESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582ISBN:9788173717048
fruitUrination disordersMESH:D014555,UMLS:C0042035, ICD-11:GB0YISBN:9788173717048
fruitVomitingMESH:D014839,UMLS:C0042963, ICD-11:MD90.1ISBN:9788173717048
fruitWound healingMESH:D014945,UMLS:C0043240ISBN:9788173717048
fruitWounds and injuriesMESH:D014947,UMLS:C0043251ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717048
leafAnorexiaMESH:D000855,UMLS:C1971624, DOID:8689, ICD-11:MG43.7ISBN:9788171360536
leafAnti-bacterial agentsMESH:D000900,UMLS:C0279516, ICD-11:XM8XH0ISBN:9770972795006
leafAntifungal agentsMESH:D000935,UMLS:C0003308, ICD-11:XM83G4ISBN:9770972795006
leafBronchitisMESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20ISBN:9788171360536
leafCatharticsMESH:D002400,UMLS:C0007422, ICD-11:XM6GE9ISBN:9770972795006
leafDiarrheaMESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1ISBN:9788171360536
leafDigestive system diseasesMESH:D004066,UMLS:C0012242, ICD-11:DE2ZISBN:9770972795006
leafDysmenorrheaMESH:D004412,UMLS:C0013390, ICD-11:GA34.3ISBN:9770972795006
leafExanthemaMESH:D005076,UMLS:C0015230ISBN:9788171360536
leafFlatulenceMESH:D005414,UMLS:C0016204, ICD-11:ME08ISBN:9770972795006
leafFurunculosisMESH:D005667,UMLS:C0016867, ICD-11:1B75.0ISBN:9770972795006
leafGastric acidMESH:D005744,UMLS:C0017119ISBN:9770972795006
leafHypohidrosisMESH:D007007,UMLS:C0020620, DOID:11155, ICD-11:EE01.ZISBN:9770972795006
leafInsecticidesMESH:D007306,UMLS:C0021576, ICD-11:XM3K66ISBN:9770972795006
leafOral ulcerMESH:D019226,UMLS:C0149745, ICD-11:DA01.15ISBN:9770972795006
leafSnake bitesMESH:D012909,UMLS:C0037379ISBN:9770972795006
leafVomitingMESH:D014839,UMLS:C0042963, ICD-11:MD90.1ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536
plant exudateDiabetes mellitusMESH:D003920,UMLS:C0011849, DOID:9351, ICD-11:5A14ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717048
plant exudateDiarrheaMESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1ISBN:9788173717048
plant exudateDysenteryMESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.ZISBN:9788173717048
plant exudateGastrointestinal diseasesMESH:D005767,UMLS:C0017178, DOID:77, ICD-11:DE2ZISBN:9788171360536
plant exudateHemorrhageMESH:D006470,UMLS:C0019080, ICD-11:MG27ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717048
plant exudateStomach diseasesMESH:D013272,UMLS:C0038354, DOID:76, ICD-11:DA4YISBN:9788173717048
rootCoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9770972795006
rootPainMESH:D010146,UMLS:C0030193, ICD-11:MG3ZISBN:9770972795006
seedBites and stingsMESH:D001733,UMLS:C0005659ISBN:9770972795006
shootAsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9770972795006
shootHiccupMESH:D006606,UMLS:C0019521, ICD-11:MD11.6ISBN:9770972795006
DiarrheaMESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1Contribution To The Medico-Botany Of East Godavari And West Godavari Districts Of Andhra Pradesh
DysenteryMESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.ZContribution To The Medico-Botany Of East Godavari And West Godavari Districts Of Andhra Pradesh