Semecarpus anacardium

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  Semecarpus anacardium

Semecarpus anacardium L.f.,  Anacadiaceae, the marking nut tree, occurs in the wild in the sub-Himalayan tract, up to 3,500 ft., in Assam, Khasi hills, Madhya Pradesh;, Gujarat, Konkan, and the deciduous forests of the southern states of India.

It is similar to the cashew nut tree, in having an edible false fruit that is orange and fleshy.   Like the cashew nut, the true fruit is black, oily and bitter.   The kernels of the nut are edible, but the juice of the nut is highly vesicant, and has been traditionally used to mark cloth by washer men.

The tree bark exudes a gum resin used in leprosy, venereal infections and nervous debility.   Juice from the nut is used in ascites, rheumatism, asthma, neuralgia, epilepsy and psoriases, as well as for warts and tumours.   The juice of the nut was effective against epidermal carcinoma.   It also has some antidiabetic activity.   Nut bruised and the exudates is used as an abortifacient and a vermifuge.

The juice of the nut wall is known in the trade as Bhiloawan Shell Liquid, is rich in phenols.   The non-vesicant form of the juice is used in the paint industry and in water proofing.  

Anacardic acid, cardol, catechol, anacardol, semecarpol and an oil ae reported from different parts in use.

Semecarpus anacardium shows the dried nuts.