Arachis hypogaea Health Dictionary

Linn.

Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae

Habitat: Native to Brazil, but widely grown for its pods in southern India, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

English: Groundnut, Peanut, Monkeynut.

Ayurvedic: Mandapi, Tailamudga, Bhuumimudga.

Unani: Moongphali.

Siddha/Tamil: Nelakadalai, Verkadalai.

Action: Kernels—contain protease inhibitors. Peanut skin— haemostatic.

There is a haemostatic principle in the peanut flour, which is said to improve the condition of haemophiliacs. The protease inhibitor acts on the fib- rinolytic system, primarily as an an- tiplasmin. It is reported to form complexes not only with the enzymes, but also with the corresponding zymogens.

The peanut (red) skin contains bio- flavonoids, which possess vitamin- P activity; tannins; a lipoxidase and a protease inhibitor. Capric acid, obtained from the (red) skin, showed antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger.