Introduction:

Withania coagulans, is a small bushy shrub and belongs to the family Solanaceae. It is commonly known as ‘paneer dodi’ or ‘Indian cheese maker’ because the fruits of this plant have milk coagulating properties, and therefore, it is called paneer dodi. Traditionally, different parts of the plant, mainly the fruit, was used as a magic healer for health conditions.1 

Paneer dodi is found in the eastern Mediterranean region and spreads to Southern Asia. It is most commonly found in drier areas of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat in India. In folk (traditional) medicine, various parts of this plant, mainly fruits, are considered magic healers.1

Some of the conditions in which may have potential uses such as long-term liver diseases, dyspepsia (indigestion), flatulent colic (severe stomach pain), asthma, intestinal infections, biliousness (a condition that refers to poor digestion, constipation, and excess passing of gas), and strangury (a slow and painful spasmodic discharge of urine drop by drop).

Nutritional Value of Withania Coagulans:

The plant is rich in carbohydrates, free amino acids, alkaloids, tannins, steroids, esterase, phenolic compounds, organic acids, essential oil, fatty oil, and free sugar.

Uses & Benefits:

  • Sedative (Sleep-Inducing)
  • Diuretic (Causes the kidney to produce more urine)
  • Wound Healing
  • Anti-Inflammatory
  • Anti-Hyperlipidaemic (Lowers blood cholesterol level)
  • Anti-Fungal
  • Anti-Bacterial
  • Anti-Helminthic activity (Kills worms and parasites)
  • Liver Protective
  • Anti-Diabetic, Anti-Hyperglycemic (Lowers blood glucose level)
  • Anti-Tumor
  • Free Radical Scavenging Activity (A substance that aids in protecting cells from very unstable chemicals, i.e., free radicals produced by normal cell metabolism)
  • It contains Withanolides, which have been shown to have anticancer activity, and flavonoids, which may have antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic properties. This property may help with cancer.

How to use Withania Coagulans:

It is used in the form of:

  • Powder
  • Seeds
  • Leaves
  • Twigs
  • Whole fruit
  • Whole flower

Side Effects:

There are no side effects reported for Withania Coagulans. However, you should consult your doctor before taking it.

Research:

1. Pramanick DD, Srivastava SK. Pharmacognostic evaluation of Withania coagulans Dunal (Solanaceae) – an important ethnomedicinal plant. Biosci Discov [Internet]. 2015;6(1):6–13. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282857254_Pharmacognostic_evaluation_of_Withania_coagulans_Dunal_Solanaceae_-an_important_ethnomedicinal_plant 

2. Gupta V, Keshari BB. Withania Coagulans Dunal. (Paneer Doda): a Review. Int J Ayurvedic Herb Med [Internet]. 2013;3(5):1330–6. Available from: http://www.interscience.org.uk 

3. Bare NB, Jadhav PS. Pharmaceutical Importance of Withania Coagulans Pharmaceutical Properties. Int J Adv Sci Eng Technol [Internet]. 2017;5(3):104–7. Available from: http://www.iraj.in/journal/journal_file/journal_pdf/6-355-149631756841-44.pdf 

4. Maurya R, Akansha, Jayendra. Chemistry and pharmacology of Withania coagulans : an Ayurvedic remedy. J Pharm Pharmacol [Internet]. 2010;62(2):153–60. Available from: https://academic.oup.com/jpp/article/62/2/153/6135723?login=true 

5. Tonge Madan B. Review of rushyagandha. Int Ayurvedic Med J [Internet]. 2015;3(4):9–11. Available from: http://www.iamj.in/posts/2015/images/upload/1157_1160.pdf 

Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.

6. https://pharmeasy.in/blog/ayurveda-uses-benefits-side-effects-of-paneer-dodi/