Red Kamala Powder (Mallotus Philippensis)

BOTANICAL NAME : Mallotus Philippensis
SYNONYMS (BOTANICAL) : Echinus Philippensis
FAMILY : Euphorbiaceae
COMMON ENGLISH NAME : Kamala, Red Kamala, Kumkum, Dyer's Rottlera
COMMON HINDI NAME : Kamala, Raini, Sinduri
SANSKRIT NAME : Kampilyaka
HABITAT : India, at the foot of the Madras hills, Malay Archipelago, Orissa, Bengal, Bombay, Abyssinia, Southern Arabia, China, Australia.
PLANT PARTS USED : Flowers, Fruits
PRODUCTS OFFERED : Seeds Powder

Kamala has been extensively used in India for cutaneous eruptions like tapeworms, ringworms etc.

A red powder is obtained which are used for dyeing and as traditional medicine for eyes and tapeworm.

The various actions performed by kamala are anthelmintic, aphrodisiac and cathartic.

Poultice made of leaves and bark is applied on skin infection especially on ringworm and scabies.