Botanical name:-Anacardium occidentale
Family name:- ANACARDIACEAE
English name:-Cashew
Sinhalaname:-Kaju
Tamil name:-Muntiri, Andimangotta
Sanskirt name :-Kajutaka
Distribution:-Sri Lanka,Brazil, tropical regions, India , Nigeria , Vietnam, Ivory Coast, Indonesia.
Edibal parts:-Seeds,Cashew apple
Status:-Native
Ayurvedic usage:-
Treatment for:-Psoriasis, Diarrhoea, Dropsy, Syphilitic Swelling, Leprosy, Diabetes mellitus, Poisons, Scurvy, Uterine diseases
Parts used to make medicine:-Bark, Leaves, Fruit, Roots
propagation:Seeds
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HERBAL FOOD and MEDICINES in SRI LANKA-
Dr Seela Fernando
Page-78
" The cashew belongs to the Anacardiaceae family .
Cadju Apple or the Cadju puhulan” is an effective medicine for scurvy, a
disease due to lack of fresh food.” Cadju puhulan” is a rich in vitamin C. Its
juice being a powerful diuretic is given in uterine complaints and dropsy. It is auseful local
application for neuralgic complaints and rheumatism. .” Cadju puhulan juice is
used to make vinegar, wine and other beverages.
The oil extracted from the shell of
the nut contains cardol and anacardic acid. The oil is used to remove warts and
corns and also for ring worm. It is
applied locally for elephentiasis. In Sri Lank this oil is used to hoof
diseases in cattle. In the ancient days people used the cadju oil to protect timber
and books from insects and white ants.The oil is a sort of tar and has been
used for tanning fishing nets and also as paint or as an ink to be rubbed on
the Ola scripts.
The Cadju kernel which is like the
almond is sometimes recommended as a medicine for diabetic patients. The gum
that exudes from the stem is insect repellent and therefour used for binding
books."