Shengottai (Semecarpus anacardium)

Shengottai, bhilawa in Hindi and bhallataka in Sanskrit, is the marking nut, a cashew-family tree whose black, resinous nut juice was used by washermen to mark laundry with an ink that never washes out. The same juice causes severe, blistering skin reactions. Ayurveda uses bhallataka only after special purification steps, and even then cautiously. The fleshy orange stalk under the nut, like that of cashew, is eaten roasted in some regions.

Botanical name: Semecarpus anacardium L.f.
Family: Anacardiaceae
Tamil: Shengottai
Hindi: Bhilawa
Sanskrit: Bhallātaka
Parts used: Fruit in lists — caustic
Habit: Marking-nut tree; the nut’s black juice blisters skin
Last updated: 2026-10-27

How to recognise Shengottai

It is a medium-sized deciduous tree with grey bark that oozes an irritant black sap when cut.

The leaves are very large, leathery and oblong, clustered at the branch tips.

Small, greenish-yellow flowers grow in large, loose clusters.

The fruit is a heart-shaped, black, shiny nut sitting on a swollen, orange-yellow, fleshy base.

Cashew has a kidney-shaped nut below a much larger, juicy apple.

Traditional use of Shengottai

Household

Washermen marked clothes with the black juice, which turns permanent with lime.

Indian household history

Ayurveda

Bhallataka is used in a few formulas only after purification, often by boiling in cow’s milk or rubbing with brick powder.

Ayurvedic practice

Kitchen

In parts of central and western India the roasted fleshy base and kernel are eaten.

Central and western Indian food practice

Modern notes on Shengottai

The nut shell contains bhilawanols, catechol compounds related to the urushiol of poison ivy.

Contact causes allergic dermatitis with blisters, sometimes spreading widely.

Poisonings and severe skin reactions from home preparations are reported in India.

Shengottai safety

Never touch the nut juice with bare skin or use bhallataka at home. Seek medical care for any blistering after contact. It must not be used in pregnancy or by children.

Ecology and sourcing

It grows in dry deciduous forests across India and into Myanmar.

Bees visit its flowers.

Birds and bats eat the fleshy base.

Related plants

Also in Anacardiaceae

Questions about Shengottai

Why is Shengottai called marking nut?

Its juice was used to mark laundry permanently.

Is Shengottai related to cashew?

Yes. Both are in the family Anacardiaceae.

Is Shengottai dangerous?

Yes. The juice causes severe skin blisters.

Is any part eaten?

The roasted fleshy base, in some regions.

What is bhallataka?

Its Sanskrit name.

Sources

Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.