Embelia ribes
Embelia ribes is a species of plant in the Primulaceae family. It is commonly known as Vidanga or False black pepper due to its similar appearance to black pepper. The plant is native to the Indian subcontinent, and is widely used in Ayurveda, a traditional system of medicine in India.
Description[edit | edit source]
Embelia ribes is a large, woody, climbing shrub that can reach up to 10 meters in height. The leaves are alternate, elliptic, and have a leathery texture. The flowers are small, greenish-white, and are borne in clusters. The fruit is a small, round, black berry, similar in appearance to black pepper.
Distribution and habitat[edit | edit source]
Embelia ribes is native to the Indian subcontinent, including India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan. It is found in a variety of habitats, from tropical forests to grasslands, and is often found growing on other trees as a climber.
Uses[edit | edit source]
Embelia ribes is widely used in Ayurveda for its medicinal properties. The fruits are used as a diuretic, carminative, and anthelmintic. They are also used to treat a variety of conditions, including diabetes, inflammation, and parasitic infections. The plant is also used in traditional Chinese medicine and in homeopathy.
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
Embelia ribes can be propagated from seeds or cuttings. The plant prefers a warm, humid climate, and well-drained soil. It is a hardy plant and can tolerate a range of conditions, but it does best in partial shade.
Conservation status[edit | edit source]
While Embelia ribes is not currently listed as threatened or endangered, it is considered vulnerable due to overharvesting for its medicinal uses. Efforts are being made to cultivate the plant and reduce pressure on wild populations.
See also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD