Theobroma cacao

Botanical name : Theobroma cacao Linn.
Family : Sterculiaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Kokovriksha, Rasalaphala, Madhuragoliki.

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Madhura, Kashaya
Guna : Guru
Virya : Seeta

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Cacao, Cocoa, Chocolate tree.
Hindi : Kokkokava
Malayalam : Kokko

Distribution – Throughout India, cultivated.

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A small evergreen tree grows up to 8 meters in height. Leaves simple, alternate, oblong and acute. Flowers whitish, solitary or in cluster of 3-4 arise from nodes of old stem. Fruits large, greenish and yellow when ripe contain many quadrangle seeds covered with sweet slimy pulp.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta, arthritis, general weakness, burning sensation, urinary retention and hypertension.
Useful part : Leaves, Fruit.