Morphological information

Monoecious tree up to 3 m tall, young shoots hairy, bark blackish   shallow fissured. Leaves needle like, spirally arranged and flattened up to 5 cm long, with dark green upper surface and silvery white lower surface. Male cones usually in clusters; stamens with 2- linear pollen sacs. Seeds 0.8- 1.2 cm long, winged, wing longer than the seed.

Flowering                 :           April-November

Fruiting                    :           April-November

History                     :             -

Parts                        :           Leaves

Status                      :            Vulnerable.

Phytochemistry       :           The leaves yield a biflavonoid abiesin [2] and essential oil rich in α- pinene, limonene, δ3-  careen, dipentene, 1-

                                            bomyl acetate and α- cadinene [3]. Glucosides- methyl betuloside and betuloside have been isolated from the leaves [4].

Agrocultivation        :          The plant is propagated through seeds. Seeds can be directly sown in the soil or can be raised in nursery. Usually    

                                             transplanting of nursery- raised seedling is preferred.

 

Ayurvedic 

The leaves form an ingredient of the ayurvedic compounds. Bhaskara Lavana

Churna: 1- 3 gm is to be taken with 4 to 6 gm honey two or three times a day, in cough with expectoration, fever, tuberculosis and in asthma and respiratory diseases.

a) Yogarrajaguggulu. b) Nowshadhaara.  c) Gorojanam And are reported to be used as oral contraceptive.  Bhaskara Lavana Churna: 1-3 gm is to be taken with warm water two times a day before meal in indigestion, diminished appetite, loss of taste and heaviness in abdomen[4,5].  Powdered leaves along with juice of vasa (Adhotoda zeylanica) and honey are taken in haemoptysis, phthiasis and in catarrh of bladder [6]. Infusion of leaves is given to infants suffering from fever and chest infections, in hoarseness and during dentition[5].

Unani

It is an important ingredient of Haluai supari Pak, a general tonic and Hab Pachalauna that is used for indigestion. In West Bengal, it is given as a tonic after parturition. An infusion of the leaves is used in hoarseness and given to infants suffering for fever and chest infections.

Traditional

 The leaves powder is prepared into a solution of 200- 250 ml and taken in 2 dosages before breakfast and lunch in case of cough and dyspepsia.