Effect of Kala-Prakarsha (curing) on Semecarpus anacardium Linn. fruits

Introduction: Ayurveda advocates certain procedures like Kala-Prakarsha (curing) for certain drugs before their administration. Bhallataka (Semecarpus anacardium Linn.) is one such drug, which is to be processed through curing procedure. Although this is an important procedure, preliminary pharmacognostical differences before and after curing procedure of Bhallataka fruits is not available. Objectives: Considering this, it is planned to evaluate preliminary pharmacognostical and physicochemical changes that take place in Bhallataka fruit before and after curing. Materials and Methods: Fresh Bhallataka fruits were collected and grouped into two. The first batch was analyzed in fresh state, while the second batch was processed for curing. Results: The result showed a reduction in oil globules, decreased the number of papillae and shrunken lysigenous cavities in cured Bhallataka as compared to fresh one. Physicochemical parameters showed that ash value of fresh Bhallataka is 2.57% w/w as compared to cured one, i.e., 3.055% w/w. Conclusion: It can be claimed that curing brings certain changes in the raw material like that of Bhallataka.