Jayapala (Danti beeja, Tinteliphala)

About

Jayapala (Croton tiglium), also known as Purging Croton, is a medicinal shrub valued in Ayurveda and other traditional medicines. It is known for its potent purgative, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Requires careful detoxification before use.

Properties

Rapid intestinal secretion, Modulation of protein kinase C (PKC) pathways, Spasmogenic and spasmolytic effects on gastrointestinal motility

Dosage

Oil (Taila): 1/2 to 1 drop. Some sources say 1 drop. Powder (Churna): 25-50 mg. Some suggest up to 6-12 mg.

Classical attributes

• Rasa: Not Available
• Virya: ["Hot"]
• Vipaka: ["Not Available"]

Benefits

• Purgative

Traditional uses

• Constipation
• Gastrointestinal diseases
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Dosha effects

• vata: balancing
• kapha: decreasing
• pitta: decreasing

Preparation methods

• Shodhana: Seeds are cut into two along the ridge.
• Shodhana: Boiled in cow's milk for about 3 hours. Some sources specify boiling in cow's milk using a Dola Yantra for 3 hours.
• Shodhana: Dried under sunlight while placed on an earthen plate. The earthen plate absorbs oil, further reducing toxicity.
• Shodhana: Soaking the seeds overnight in water to remove the cotyledon.
• Shodhana: Swedana (sudation) with cow dung juice and cow's milk, followed by mild frying.
• Shodhana: Bhavana (Trituration) treatment with lemon juice.

Contraindications

• General Toxicity: Jayapala seeds are highly toxic due to the presence of tiglinic acid, crotonic acid, quartenylic acid, and crolonolic acid.
• Should be used carefully after proper Shodhana (purification) procedures. Improper Shodhana or use can lead to poisonous effects.
• Before and after surgery
• Bleeding problems
• GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
• Gastritis
• Abdominal pain
• Ulcerative colitis
• Endometritis
• A fatal dose of the seed is around 4 seeds, and even a single seed can produce severe symptoms of poisoning.
• Symptoms of toxicity include burning pain from mouth to stomach, salivation, vomiting, purging with severe griping pain, bloody stools, tachycardia, vertigo, prostration, circulatory and respiratory collapse, and potentially death.
• It can cause nausea and violent vomiting.
• Impure Jayapala beeja can cause vesicles with yellow exudation and urticaria on the abdominal skin.
• It can also cause severe intestinal inflammation, leading to intense abdominal pain and cramps.
• Regular or frequent use of even purified Jayapala is unsafe, as it may cause intestinal sluggishness and reduce natural peristalsis.
• Root and oil are taken internally as an abortifacient.
• Jamalgota (Croton tiglium) is not safe and is not recommended for hair growth. It is a highly toxic seed mainly used as a strong purgative. Applying or ingesting it can cause severe skin irritation, gastrointestinal discomfort, and poisoning.

Side effects

• Toxicity: Jayapala is a toxic plant and should only be used after proper purification.
• Severe Purgation: The oil of Jayapala seeds can cause severe purgation, leading to dehydration and abdominal pain.
• Skin Irritation: The oil can cause blisters on the skin if applied in high concentration.
• Hot, burning pain from mouth to stomach.
• Salivation, nausea, and vomiting.
• Purging and bloody stools with griping pain.
• Tachycardia and vertigo.
• Great prostration, circulatory and respiratory collapse.
• Fatal Dose: 1-2 ml of oil or 4-5 crushed seeds.
• Fatal Period: 4-6 hours to 3-6 days.

Interactions

• With Medicines and Supplements: It is advisable to consult a doctor if taking Jayapala along with other western (allopathic/modern) medicines or supplements. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
• Antidotes: Dhanyaka (coriander seeds) pestled with curd and sugar can be helpful.
• Antidotes: A decoction (kahayam) of 16g lavanga (clove), 8g sundi (ginger), and musta (nutgrass) cooled and given with honey is considered a good remedy for Jayapala poisoning.
• Antidotes: Borax powder and vacha (calamus) root ash are considered strong antidotes. Vacha root ash powder can be taken in a dosage of 500-1000 mg two to three times a day.
• Antidotes: Tankana Bhasma (250 mg) and Praval Pishti (1000 mg) can also be taken twice daily.
• Antidotes: Lemon juice (Nimbu Swarasa) is also mentioned as an antidote.

Active compounds

• Phorbol esters (e.g., crotin)
• Diterpene glycosides
• Phenolic acids (like caffeic acid)
• Fatty acids (linoleic, oleic)
• Tigliane diterpenoids
• Crotonic acid
• Myristic acid
• Crotin
• Crotonalbumin

Clinical evidence

Clinical reports from Panchakarma centers indicate the effectiveness of Croton tiglium oil as a fast-acting cathartic. Further studies suggest spasmogenic and spasmolytic properties on gastrointestinal motility.

Ayurvedic karmas

• Purgative

Classical clinical indications

• Constipation
• Gastrointestinal diseases
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Frequently asked questions