Overview
Wood Apple is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for heart disease. Wood Apple is Ayurveda's Grahi fruit, called Kapittha: sour-sweet ripe pulp halts chronic diarrhea, calms hiccups, cools Amlapitta, steadies Hridroga.
How Wood Apple Helps with Heart Disease
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Wood Apple has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing heart disease:
- Potency (Virya): Ushna (hot)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Katu (pungent)
- Taste (Rasa): Amla (sour), Kashaya (astringent)
- Qualities (Guna): Guru (heavy), Ruksha (dry)
Other Herbs for Heart Disease
See all herbs for heart disease on the Heart Disease page.
▶ Classical Text References (3 sources)
When external application of paste prepared from pomegranate, wood apple, lodhra (Symplocos racemosa), white yam and citron or of whitish emblica myrobalans mixed with ghee and sour wheat porridge is done over head area it proves useful.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 22: Thirst Disorders Treatment (Trishna Chikitsa / तृष्णाचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 22: Thirst Disorders Treatment (Trishna Chikitsa / तृष्णाचिकित्सा)
Red rice, barley, green gram (Vigna radiata), wheat (Triticum aestivum), tortoise meat, soup from arid-land animals, grapes (Vitis vinifera), wood apple (Limonia acidissima), and coconut (Cocos nucifera) are recommended.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 30: Diet for Insanity (Unmada Pathyapathyam)
Wood apple (Limonia acidissima), pomegranate (Punica granatum), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), and all bitter substances should always be consumed by people with Amlapitta (hyperacidity).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 64: Diet for Hyperacidity (Amlapitta Pathyapathyam)
Red rice, barley, green gram (Vigna radiata), wheat (Triticum aestivum), tortoise meat, soup from arid-land animals, grapes (Vitis vinifera), wood apple (Limonia acidissima), and coconut (Cocos nucifera) are recommended.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 19: Diet for Insanity (Unmada Pathyapathyam)
Wood apple (Limonia acidissima), pomegranate (Punica granatum), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), and all bitter substances should always be consumed by people with Amlapitta (hyperacidity).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 53: Diet for Hyperacidity (Amlapitta Pathyapathyam)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 30: Diet for Insanity (Unmada Pathyapathyam); Parishishtam, Chapter 64: Diet for Hyperacidity (Amlapitta Pathyapathyam); Parishishtam, Chapter 19: Diet for Insanity (Unmada Pathyapathyam); Parishishtam, Chapter 53: Diet for Hyperacidity (Amlapitta Pathyapathyam)
In food, include kapittha (wood apple) and the five great roots (maha-panchamula).
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 9: Vatabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Vata-type Conjunctivitis)
Kutannata, sphotaphala, jjaka, bilva (bael), pattura, arka (calotropis), kapittha (wood apple), and bhanga (hemp).
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 11: Kaphabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Kapha-type Conjunctivitis)
Also ajaka, sphotaka, kapittha (wood apple), bilva (bael), nirgundi (vitex), and jasmine flowers.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 11: Kaphabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Kapha-type Conjunctivitis)
Kapittha (wood apple) stalk with honey, and svayangupha fruits — these four formulations are beneficial as anjana for both types.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga)
For a child afflicted by Shakuni, a knowledgeable physician should use a decoction of Vetasa (cane/willow), Amra (mango), and Kapittha (wood apple) for sprinkling.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 30: Shakunipratishedha
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 9: Vatabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Vata-type Conjunctivitis); Uttara Tantra, Chapter 11: Kaphabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Kapha-type Conjunctivitis); Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga); Uttara Tantra, Chapter 30: Shakunipratishedha
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.