Vidanga is a well-known home remedy and in Sanskrit literature it is termed “jantanasa”. The name suggests its fine germicidal and bactericidal action.

It is well known in India and is also available in Singapore, Burma and Ceylon. Its fruits are as small as black pepper but smoother than the latter. New seeds of vidanga are reddish in colour but they become slightly black as time passes. Old fruits are used in medicine.

Vidanga allays vayu, it is diuretic, a mild purgative and kills worms, it is an appetizer, digestive , blood purifier and rejuvenator.

It is also a Rasayana and while taking it the urine takes on a reddish tinge. Vidanga has a good effect on the whole system, especially on the lymphatic glands.

Grandma starts the daily routine or the infant by giving him milk which is boiled with a few seeds of vidanga. Such milk is easily digestible and does not give rise to worms. There is no gas formation or griping pain, it is thus an ideal indigenous gripe cure.

It is equally effective for worms in adults. It is given in the form of powder or decoction and the worms are expelled. The usual method is to give the powder with honey in the dose of 2-4 grams, followed on the second day by a mild purgative.

In ancient times vidanga was used as a blood purifier and many uses, external as well as internal, are mentioned. It was given in food as well as drink.

It has been found that the slow, steady and gradual effect of vidanga on the body is that it increases appetite, brings clear motion, increases weight and improves the complexion. The body becomes light and a person generally feels energetic and well.

In the case of infants, when food is not properly digested, the abdomen becomes enlarged and the upper and lower extremities become thin and emaciated, if vidanga is given, it produces considerable improvement.

There is an effective course of rejuvenating treatment known as Vidanga Thandul, in which the seeds of vidanga and liquorice are powdered, and a patient subsists entirely on this powder with honey. He has to take only a little rice with ghee, green gram (boiled), and the powder of embolic myrobalan.

He must carry out this regimen for a month or two. Experienced vaidyas carry out this treatment even today in Gujarat and Saurashtra. It has no side reaction whatsoever, but produces a Kaya Kalpa effect or body rejuvenation. The patient starts getting good appetite, improves his digestion, there is purification of blood, clarification of the bowels and ultimately chronic disorders like dyspepsia, piles and blood impurities are eradicated.

There are many medicinal preparations described in ayurveda which are vermicidal, and these contain vidanga as the main ingredient.

The powder of vidanga seeds is given in the form of snuff for chronic cold and sinusitis or a Peenasa or one sided headache.