Karanja
/kəˈrɑːn.dʒə/noun
A tropical tree, Pongamia pinnata, and the oil obtained from its seeds.
Did you know?Karanja appears in Sanskrit Ayurvedic literature, where its seeds and oil were traditionally used in external treatments, while the tree’s botanical name preserves its older regional identity.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient India
Sanskrit
karañja
“The karanja tree, later identified botanically as Pongamia pinnata.”
Medieval Sanskrit
Sanskrit
karañja
“A medicinal tree recorded in Ayurvedic materia medica, especially for preparations made from its seeds and oil.”
18th–19th Century
Indo-Aryan languages
karanj / karanja
“Regional names for the tree in languages including Hindi and Marathi.”
19th Century
English
karanja
“An English botanical and commercial name for the tree and its seed oil.”
Modern English
English
karanja
“Pongamia pinnata, especially when discussed in herbal medicine, biofuel, horticulture, or traditional Indian practice.”
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