Family: Podophyllaceae.
Synonym: Sinopodophyllum hexandrum, Podophyllum emodi
Common Name:  Himalayan May Apple, Indian Podophyllum,  
Local  Name: Bankakri (बनककरी)

Bankakri is native  and endemic1 plant of Himalayas, which is widely used in traditional and modern medicine. Rhizomes  of this plant yield podophylline and podophyllotoxin which are used in production of modern anticancerous drugs 2. Bankakri  is  succulent, eract herbaceous  and glabrous  plant arises from creeping long knotty rhizomes. Its stem is with  one or two, simple, leaves without top.  Being  an valuable medicinal plant of Western Himalayas  it is heavely harvested from natural habitat for medicinal purposes. So, it is  listed in endangered plant list category.  Bankakri is distributed in the lower elevation of Western Himalayan at an altitudes ranging from 2200 to 4200 m above sea level. It is found growing from Indian Himalayas Region  to Bhutan, Pakistan, Nepal, Taiwan and China. In India it is commonly found in Uttarakhand, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Jammu-Kashmir. In Himachal Pradesh, it is found sporadically in Mandi, Rohru, Kangra, Chamba and Lahaul-Sptiti. Bankakri is also present in the hilly areas of Tosh, Malana, Kheer Ganga and Rohtang regions of district Kullu 3. It  mainly grows in scrub forests and alpine meadows where it thrives best as an undergrowth  in humus rich soils.

 Bankakri  is propagated by seeds and rootstocks .The Genus name of bankakri Podophyllum is derived from ancient Greek words ‘Podos’  means a foot and ‘Phyllos’ means  leaf 4. So, the name is given due to resemblance of its leaves to duck’s foot.4 The six petals and stamens of this species had led to species name hexandrum.  Bankakri is also known as Mayapple because of its fruits ripen in spring2 .

Deseeded bankakri fruits are edible and eaten when fully ripen.Imature one are considered laxative and toxic. Fruits are eaten both  raw ripe as well as cooked in the form of jam or jelly. . These are an excellent addition to dessserts and salad for their rich medicinal values.

A young plant of Bankakri

Bankakri is harvvested from wild  as a source of food, medicine, resin  and material for local personal and commercial uses which lead to its significant decline in natural habitat, So, plant need  serious protection and conservation. Appriciable efforts have been taken by Himachal Pradesh Forest department in this direction.

Bankakri Plant:

Erect, smooth, glabrous, somewhat fleshy, perennial herbs, 15-40cm high,

Stem unbranched, bearing two large leaves above the middle and usually one supra- axillary flower (or fruit).

Leaves alternate, peltate, rounded, 10-25cm across, deeply cut into 2 ovate toothed lobes, sometimes further lobed.

Flowers cup-shaped, 2-4cm across, white to pink. Sepals 3, petaloid. Petals 4-6, obovate-oblong. Stamens 6. Berries oblong, 2.5-5cm, scarlet or reddish, pulpy, many seeded.

Bankakri in flowering

Bankakri bloom in spring its edible fruits can be collected from late summer  to autumn season of the year depending on climatic conditions. As plant is already listied in endengered plant list category, so need to be harvested sustaianbly  or cultivatecfor ensuring sustaianble development.

Edible Uses:

Fruits and leaves of bankakri are edible. Fruits are juicy but insipid and must only be eaten deseeded when are fully ripe. The leaves are edible but  can be toxic, so should be taken in small quantity as an addition with other avialable greens. Dried leaf powder  can be an excellent addition to pakoras. kachru, Parantha   mainly to harness its rich medicinal values however it can be toxic in large quantities so need to be taken in small quantities.

Jam:

Ingredients:

Fully ripe fruits of bankakri ,1/2 kg; sugar, 300 g;  lemon juice, 4-5 tea spoon.

Method:

Wash fruits and discard the seeds. Put deseeded fruits in pan, boil till they are soft and let them cool down. Mesh boiled fruit pulp manually or in a mixer. Place meshed pulp in a pan, add sugar to it and cook in low flame with constant stirring till sugar dissolve completely and jam become dense. Now mix it well with lemon juice and let it cool down.  Jam is now ready to serve. Jam should be used fresh and can be preserved for two months. 

Desserts:

Ingredients:

Ripe desseded  fruits of bankakri and other chopped fruits acc.  to taste,1/2kg; curd, 1kg; sweetener like honey/ sugar/ condensed milk, 1-3 tea spoon; cardamom powder,1/4 tea spoon; black salt according to taste.

Method:

Take curd in a bowl. Add to it sweetener according to choice and stir well. Add cardamom powder, black salt, ache fruits and other chopped fruits according to preference. Mix well and serve.

Seek professional advice before treating this plant medicinally. 

Locally Bankakri rhizomes  are used in the treatment of colds, constipation, septic wounds and in burning sensation.Plant is useful in variety of complaints like  erysipelas, mental disorders plague, allergic and inflammatory conditions of the skin, cancer of brain, bladder and lung, venereal warts, monocytoid leukemia.Root paste  of this plant is applied on ulcers, cuts wounds and used to treat vaginal warts. Rhizomes  of this plant yield podophylline and podophyllotoxin which is used in production of modern anticancerous drugs. Also used as hepatic stimulant and purgative in Ayurvedic medicines 2. Fruits and decoction of grounded roots with sugar are eaten by Gaddis as medicine against constipation persisting for long also used for stomach problems in Animals 3  Fruit of plant is edible but these must be eaten when fully ripe. Rhizomes of this plant have a long medicinal history among native North American tribes who used a rhizome powder as a laxative or an agent that expels worms 3.

The whole plant, but especially the root, is cholagogue, cytostatic and purgative. The plant contains podophyllin, which has an antimiotic effect (it interferes with cell division and can thus prevent the growth of cells). It is, therefore, a possible treatment for cancer, and has been used especially in the treatment of ovarian cancer 4,5  However, alopecia is said to be a common side-effect of this treatment 5  .

The roots contain several important anti-cancer lignans, including podophyllin and berberine 5. The roots are also antirheumatic 6. The root is harvested in the autumn and either dried for later use or the resin is extracted 7 This plant is highly poisonous and should only be used under the supervision of a qualified practitioner7 . It should not be prescribed for pregnant women 7.

Domestication

Other Uses: 

It is source of resin.

References: 

  1. Kalam MA, Malik AH, Ganie AH, Butt TA. Medicinal importance of Papra (Podophyllum hexandrum Royle) in Unani System of Medicine. J Complement Integr Med. 2021 Jan 29. doi: 10.1515/jcim-2020-0178. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33544520.
  2. Singh PB. (2018). Flora of Mandi district. Himachal Pradesh: North West Himalaya.
  3. Sharma, A., & Singh, R. (2016). A breathtaking herbal plant of Himalaya- Podophyllum hexandrum. International Journal of Applied and Pure Science an d Agriculture, 2, 192-194.
  4. Qazi PH, Rashid A, Shawl SA. Podophyllum hexandrum – A versatile medicinal plant. International Journal of
  5. Uphof.J.C.Th. (1968); Dictionary of Economic Plants. H.R. Englemann (U.Cramer), Weinheim.
  6. Arayne, M. S., Sultana, N., Mirza, A. Z., Zuberi, M. H., & Siddiqui, F. A. (2007). In vitro hypoglycemic activity of methanolic extract of some indigenous plants. Pak J Pharm Sci20(4), 268-273.
  7. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. (1985);   Medicinal Plants of China reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4    
  8. Bown. D. (1995): Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN,0-7513-020-31.  

377 thoughts on “Podophyllum hexandrum (Royle.)-Bankakri (बनककरी)

  1. I just could not go away your web site before suggesting that I extremely loved the usual info an individual provide on your guests? Is gonna be back regularly in order to check up on new posts.

  2. Wow, superb weblog structure! How long have you ever been blogging for? you made running a blog glance easy. The total glance of your site is fantastic, let alone the content material!!

  3. Full body massage will be a useful technology in many ways. It is good for relieving stress of friends and family members, and it can also help relieve pain or pain of people around them.

  4. Pingback: Temp EMail
  5. Pingback: Temp EMail
  6. Pingback: Temp EMail
  7. Taking advantage of Manchester United’s free kick situation, the crowd that appeared with an unidentified white object was caught by security guards after about 10 seconds of escape.

  8. You’ve made some really good points there. I checked on the internet to find out more about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this site.

  9. I’d like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this blog. I’m hoping to view the same high-grade content from you in the future as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my very own site now 😉

  10. I’m amazed, I must say. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The problem is something which too few folks are speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very happy that I found this in my hunt for something regarding this.

  11. I must thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this site. I really hope to view the same high-grade blog posts from you in the future as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own, personal site now 😉

  12. I was extremely pleased to uncover this website. I want to to thank you for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely loved every bit of it and i also have you bookmarked to check out new information on your web site.

  13. Hi there, I do believe your web site could possibly be having browser compatibility problems. When I take a look at your site in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping issues. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other than that, wonderful site.

  14. This is the perfect site for anybody who would like to find out about this topic. You know a whole lot its almost hard to argue with you (not that I personally would want to…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic which has been discussed for many years. Wonderful stuff, just excellent.

  15. Hello! I simply want to offer you a big thumbs up for the great information you have here on this post. I am coming back to your site for more soon.

  16. The very next time I read a blog, I hope that it does not fail me as much as this one. I mean, Yes, it was my choice to read through, nonetheless I truly thought you would have something helpful to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something you can fix if you were not too busy seeking attention.

  17. I was more than happy to find this web site. I wanted to thank you for ones time for this particularly wonderful read!! I definitely loved every bit of it and I have you saved as a favorite to see new information on your web site.

  18. Hi, I do think this is an excellent blog. I stumbledupon it 😉 I am going to revisit once again since i have book marked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to help other people.

  19. A motivating discussion is worth comment. I do believe that you should publish more on this topic, it may not be a taboo matter but generally people do not discuss such topics. To the next! Cheers.

  20. Good web site you have here.. It’s difficult to find high-quality writing like yours nowadays. I seriously appreciate people like you! Take care!!

  21. Hi, I do think this is a great web site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I am going to revisit yet again since i have bookmarked it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to help others.

  22. Howdy! This blog post could not be written much better! Looking through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He always kept preaching about this. I will forward this post to him. Pretty sure he’s going to have a great read. I appreciate you for sharing!

  23. May I simply just say what a comfort to find someone who really knows what they’re talking about on the net. You certainly understand how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people must read this and understand this side of your story. It’s surprising you are not more popular given that you most certainly possess the gift.

  24. Hello there, There’s no doubt that your web site could possibly be having web browser compatibility issues. When I take a look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however, if opening in Internet Explorer, it’s got some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Aside from that, fantastic site.

  25. Can I simply just say what a comfort to uncover somebody who genuinely understands what they’re discussing over the internet. You definitely realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. A lot more people must look at this and understand this side of the story. It’s surprising you are not more popular given that you definitely possess the gift.

  26. After looking at a few of the blog articles on your blog, I honestly appreciate your technique of blogging. I book-marked it to my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back in the near future. Take a look at my web site as well and let me know how you feel.

  27. I blog quite often and I genuinely thank you for your information. This article has really peaked my interest. I am going to book mark your site and keep checking for new information about once per week. I opted in for your RSS feed as well.

  28. The very next time I read a blog, I hope that it does not disappoint me just as much as this particular one. After all, I know it was my choice to read, but I actually believed you would probably have something useful to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something you could fix if you weren’t too busy looking for attention.

  29. An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a co-worker who has been conducting a little research on this. And he actually ordered me dinner because I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending some time to discuss this subject here on your web page.

  30. Hi, I do believe this is a great web site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will come back yet again since I bookmarked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to help others.

  31. An intriguing discussion is worth comment. I do think that you ought to write more about this subject matter, it might not be a taboo matter but generally folks don’t discuss such topics. To the next! Many thanks!

  32. An interesting discussion is worth comment. I do think that you should publish more on this issue, it maynot be a taboo subject but generally people do not discuss thesetopics. To the next! Best wishes!!

  33. I blog quite often and I seriously thank you for your content. Your article has really peaked my interest. I am going to book mark your blog and keep checking for new details about once per week. I subscribed to your RSS feed too.

  34. You are so awesome! I do not think I’ve truly read a single thing like that before. So wonderful to discover another person with some original thoughts on this subject matter. Seriously.. thank you for starting this up. This website is one thing that is needed on the internet, someone with a bit of originality.

  35. When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four e-mails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Cheers!

  36. I truly love your blog.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you build this web site yourself? Please reply back as Iím wanting to create my very own website and would love to learn where you got this from or what the theme is called. Kudos!

  37. I do not even understand how I finished up here, however I believed this put up was once great. I do not understand who you are but definitely you’re going to a famous blogger when you are not already. Cheers!

  38. When I originally left a comment I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. There has to be a way you can remove me from that service? Cheers.

  39. Hi, the whοⅼe thing is going nicely һere annd ofcourse every onee isssharing information, tһat’ѕ in faⅽt good, keеp uppwriting.Loօk intߋ mʏ homepagе – beli backlink indonesia

  40. Can I simply say what a relief to find someone who really understands what they are discussing over the internet. You actually know how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More people need to look at this and understand this side of the story. I can’t believe you are not more popular because you certainly have the gift.

  41. You are so cool! I don’t suppose I’ve read through a single thing like that before. So good to find somebody with a few unique thoughts on this topic. Seriously.. thanks for starting this up. This website is one thing that’s needed on the web, someone with a bit of originality.

  42. Hello, I do think your website may be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your site in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up! Besides that, wonderful site!

  43. Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed! Very helpful information particularly the last part 🙂 I care for such info a lot. I was looking for this particular info for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.

  44. Hi, There’s no doubt that your web site could be having internet browser compatibility issues. Whenever I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in I.E., it’s got some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up! Aside from that, excellent site!

  45. Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It’s always useful to read through articles from other writers and practice something from their websites.

  46. Hi there, its pleasant paragraph on the topic of media print, we all be awareof media is a great source of data.my blog post: BodyCore Keto Reviews

  47. I was very happy to find this page. I need to to thank you for ones time due to this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it and i also have you saved as a favorite to see new information on your blog.

  48. Right here is the right blog for anyone who wishes to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I really would want toÖHaHa). You certainly put a new spin on a topic that’s been written about for decades. Great stuff, just excellent!

  49. Greetings, I believe your web site may be having internet browser compatibility problems. Whenever I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however, if opening in IE, it’s got some overlapping issues. I just wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Other than that, great website!

  50. You’re so awesome! I do not suppose I’ve truly read through a single thing like that before. So nice to discover somebody with genuine thoughts on this subject matter. Really.. thanks for starting this up. This website is something that’s needed on the internet, someone with a little originality.

  51. Right here is the perfect website for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I really will need to…HaHa). You certainly put a brand new spin on a topic which has been discussed for a long time. Wonderful stuff, just excellent.

  52. Hi, I do believe this is a great blog. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will return once again since i have bookmarked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide others.

  53. Thanks for your post. What I want to point out is that while searching for a good internet electronics go shopping, look for a web page with full information on critical factors such as the security statement, safety measures details, any payment procedures, and various terms as well as policies. Usually take time to look at help and FAQ areas to get a much better idea of what sort of shop is effective, what they are able to do for you, and in what way you can make the most of the features.

  54. Good day! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after browsing through a few of the articles I realized it’s new to me. Regardless, I’m certainly pleased I discovered it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back frequently.

  55. I blog often and I truly thank you for your information. This great article has truly peaked my interest. I’m going to take a note of your website and keep checking for new information about once a week. I opted in for your RSS feed as well.

  56. You’re so awesome! I don’t believe I’ve truly read through anything like this before. So wonderful to find someone with unique thoughts on this issue. Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This web site is one thing that’s needed on the internet, someone with a bit of originality.

  57. Excellent beat ! I would like to apprentice at the same time as you amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a blog site? The account aided me a applicable deal. I have been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered shiny clear concept

  58. An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a coworker who had been conducting a little research on this. And he actually ordered me dinner simply because I found it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending some time to discuss this topic here on your web site.

  59. You are so awesome! I don’t suppose I’ve truly read through anything like this before. So great to discover another person with a few unique thoughts on this topic. Seriously.. many thanks for starting this up. This web site is something that’s needed on the internet, someone with a bit of originality.

  60. After I originally left a comment I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the exact same comment. Perhaps there is an easy method you are able to remove me from that service? Appreciate it.

  61. You made some good points there. I looked on the internet for more information about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this web site.

  62. Right now it seems like Movable Type is the preferred blogging platform available right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *