Prunus amygdalus Satch.
Family : Rosaceae
Synonym : P.communis
English : Almond
Sanskrit : Vatada
Part used : Seed
Botanical Description: A tree upto 8m in height or medium sized tree, branches smooth and dull coloured in shade. The leaves are oblong, minutely serrate, fully grown leaves ash coloured, serrulate. Flowers are white tinged with red, solitray pink or nearly white, showy and appearing before or with the early foliage.
The plant is cultivated in Kashmir and other parts.
Ayurvedic Properties and Uses :
Rasa : Madhura
Guna : Guru, Snigdha
Virya : Usna
Vipaka : Madhura
Karma : Vatapittahara, Kaphakara
Modern Pharmacological Action: Nuts of PA are found to possess various pharmacological properties, such as antistress, antioxidant, immunostimulant, lipid lowering and laxative. The nuts of PA are mentioned as medhyarasayana (nootropic agent) in the classical Ayurvedic texts.
