Saptarangi or Salacia oblonga is a native of India and Sri Lanka. It is a woody shrub that grows in rain forests. It bears yellow green flowers with berries as fruits. It contains active constituents, glycosidase inhibitors, Salacinol and Kotalanol 9. Alpha glycosidase inhibitors are saccharides that act as competitive inhibitors of enzymes needed to digest carbohydrates

This plant is traditionally used in Ayurveda for its anti-diabetic properties. Saptarangi is the drug of choice for diabetes by alleviating the root cause of the problem i.e. to correct the working of liver and pancreas. The bark of this shrub is of considerable therapeuticvalue. Its constituents Salicinol and Kotolanol, controls blood sugar level in Type 2 diabetic patients. Not only in India but many countries are now using it for its superb anti-diabetic and weight loosening property.

According to study at Ohio State University reports that, researchers

gave extracts of the herb Saptrangi (Salacia Oblonga) to 39 healthy adults and the results shows potential. The largest dose of the herb extract – 1,000 milligrams — decreased insulin and blood glucose levels by 29 and 23 per cent, respectively. Another American research on 66 diabetic patients has indicated its efficiency in dealing blood sugar levelcompetently. Smaller Salacia oblonga dose decreased participants’ peak blood sugar response by 19 percent, while the bigger dose lowered it by 27 percent. Both doses also tempered the normal post-meal raise in insulin, a hormone that controls blood sugar. Even in Japan, the extracts of this herb are used as an ingredient in foods and supplements intended to manage diabetes and obesity.

The bark of the root is used primarily for controlling. It lowers serum cholesterol and serum triglyceride, increases serum HDL (good cholesterol) in type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes patients.

Other benefits of Saptarangi or Salacia oblonga

Saptarangi not only is beneficial in diabetes and obesity but has some other benefits like its usefulness in reducing the inflammation of piles by local application of root paste.

  • It also acts as a appetizer and digestive, it is useful in loss of appetite dyspepsia etc.
  • Saptarangi is used in liver enlargement, jaundice and constipation.
  • Saptarangi is also good in curing the blood disorders.
  • Saptarangi helps in reducing excessive sweating by emulsifying fatty tissue.
  • Saptarangi is specially useful to women by alleviating all types of menses troubles specially in excessive bleeding and relives pain and discomfort during menses time ( pre menstrual symptoms)

Recent studies have shown that root extract powder with oil or decoction is also used intreatment of arthritis, kidney and liver problems, gonorrhea and inflammation of joints.