Morphological information

A moderate sized evergreen tree attaining a height up to 7.6 m and girth of 1.4 m. Bark dark brown or blackish, slightly rough. Leaves opposite, sub opposite or alternate, ovate lanceolate or oblong, acuminate, glabrous, 3- nerved at base pink when young. Flower pale yellow, pubescent in panicles. Fruits black, ovoid on the thickened peduncle and enlarged base of the perianth.

Flowering                               : February-April

Fruiting                                  : July -August

History                                  :

Parts                                    : Leaves, roots and bark.

Status                                  : Vulnerable.

Phytochemistry                   : Essential oil from leaves contained cinnamic aldehyde and eugenol.

Agrocultivation                  

The plants are raised from seeds sown in nursery beds in March- April. Seedlings appear 30- 45 days after sowing and are transplanted when 4- 5 years old in the field at a spacing of 3m X 2m. Sufficient shade is provided in the early stages of growth and shade trees are cleared after 8- 9 years. The fields are not usually manured.

 

Ayurvedic

In ayurveda, a preparation called "Trijataka", containing leaves and flowers buds of this plant along with small cardamom, liquorice, raisins etc is used in piles, heart troubles, ozoena. It is also used in Ayurvedic preparation prescribed for treating diabetes.

Unani

In Unani system leaves are used in "Jawarish Sheshryaran", in a powder form in indigestion, etc and in "Halwa- I- supari Pak".

Traditional

The leaves are used in diarrhoea, rheumatism, stimulant and colic pain. Decoction of the powder is used in suppression of lochia and pains after delivery.

Others

The leaves are carminative and are used in colic, diarrhoea and of rheumatism. They are considered hot and cardiac and are used with long pepper and honey in coughs and cold. The bark of cinchona plant is used in different kinds of fever, especially in malarial fever.

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