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Babul
Botanical Name: Acacia NiloticaIndian Name: Kikar
Origin, Distribution and Composition
Acacia, popularly known as babul, is a large tree, upto 14metres
high, with thorns on its branches. It has darkish greybark and
yellow flowers in spherical heads.
Babul tree is indigenous to Sind in Pakistan. It occurs wild
inIndia and tropical Africa. It is planted for its bark. The
treeyields a gum, known as babul gum. The bark of babul
treecontains tannin and gallic acid. The leaves and fruits of
thetree also contain tannin and gallic acid.
Healing Power and Curative Properties
The leaves, the bark., the pods and the gum of the Babul have
medicinal virtues. The leaves and the bark are usefulin arresting
secretion or bleeding. The pods help remove catarrhal matter and
phlegm from the bronchial tubes. Thegum allays any irritation of
the skin and soothes the inflamed membranes of the pharynx,
alimentary canal andgenito-urinary organs.
Diarrhoea
The various parts ofbabul tree are useful in diarrhoea of
ordinary intensity. A mixture of equal parts of the tenderleaves
with white and black cumin seeds (zeera) can be administered in
doses of 12 grams, thrice daily. An infusionmade of the bark of the
tree may also be taken thrice daily for the same purpose. The gum,
used either in decoctionor in syrup, is an effective medicine for
diarrhoea.
Teeth Disorders
Chewing of fresh bark of this tree daily, helps strengthen loose
teeth and arrest any bleeding from the gums. Dirtyteeth can be
cleaned effectively by brushing them with a' powder in which 60
grams of charcoal ofbabulwood, 24grams of roasted alum and 12 grams
of rock salt have been included.
Eczema
The bark of babul tree is useful in the treatment of eczema.
About 25 grams each of this bark and the mango barkshould be boiled
in about I litre of water and the vapours allowed to foment the
affected part. After the fomentation,the affected pan should be
anointed with ghee.
Tonsilitis
A decoction of the bark, mixed with rock salt, should be used as
a gargle in treating tonsilitis.
Conjunctivitis
The leaves ofbabul tree are effective in the treatment of
conjuctivitis. The leaves, ground to a paste, should beapplied on
the affected eyes at night, supported by a bandage which should be
untied the next morning. Thisremoves pain and redness.
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Epiphora
The leaves are beneficial in treating epiphora- that is watering
of the eyes, in which tears flow onto the cheeks due toabnormality
of the tear drainage system. About 250 grams of leaves should be
boiled in one and a quarter litre ofwater until only a quarter
litre of water is left. This should then be filtered and kept in a
well-corked botte. The eye-lidsshould be painted morning and
evening with this liquid.
Leucorrhoea
The bark of the tree is useful in leucorrhoea. Its decoction
should be used as a vaginal douche for treating thisdisorder.
Other Uses
Sprematorrhoea: Fresh pods of babul tree are effective in sexual
disorders like spermatorrhoea, frequent nightdischarges, loss of
viscidity of the semen and premature ejaculation. In Ayurveda, a
preparation made from the podsis considered highly beneficial in
treating these disorders. It is prepared thus: about I to 1.5
metres of coarse cloth isspread evenly and its corners secured. The
fresh pods of Babul tree are pounded and their juice squeezed.
Thisfresh juice is pasted on the cloth every morning and evening
for at least 20 days until a 5-6 centimetres thick layer isformed
on it. A small piece of this cloth weighing 5 to 9 grams is cut and
boiled in a litre of cow's milk which is takenafter adding brown
sugar to taste. It is also said to increase the power of retention
of the semen. Even extremelydebilitated patients suffering from the
bad consequences of masturbation are believed to get rejuvenated by
its useand attain normal retentive power. It improves the viscidity
of the semen and is an excellent medicine forspermatorrhoea.
Another preparation made from the pods is also a very effective
remedy for spermatorrhoea. Tender, seedless podsare dried in shade,
powdered and mixed with an equal weight of brown sugar. Six grams
of this mixture may be takenwith milk in the morning.
Madhuca
Botanical Name : Madhuca indica
Indian Name : Mahua
Origin, Distribution and Composition
Madhuca, also known as butter tree, is a large deciduoustree, 20
metres in height with a spreading top. It has thickleathery leaves
and small, fleshy, pale or dull white musk-scented flowers in
dusters near the end of branches. Its fruitsare fleshy, greenish"
with brown and shining seeds.
The bark, Ieaves, flowers and seeds of the tree constitute
the
drug. The trade name, madhuca, is based on the Sanskrit name of
the plant.
The tree is indigenous to the Central India. It is common in
sub-mountainous regions of the Himalayas, and is, atcertain places,
a chief constituent of the forest vegetation.
The leaves of the tree contain alkaloid glucosidic saponin. The
seeds contain a fatty oil. Recently a new sapogeninand basic acid
have also been isolated from the seeds.
Healing Power and Curative Properties
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Madhuca is useful in arresting secretions or bleeding becalJ5(
of its tannin content. The bark of the tree is anastringent and
tonic. The flowers promote the removal of catarrhal matter and
phlegm from the bronchial tubes. Theyalso exercise a soothing!
effect on the skin and mucous membranes. A spirit prepared from the
flowers is consideredto be nutritive and a tonic.
Bronchitis
The flowers of the tree are effective in bronchitis and coughs.
They should be given in doses of 30 grams with 250 n!of milk.
Rheumatism
A decoction of the bark can be given internally in rheumatic
diseases. The oil extracted from the seeds can also beapplied
locally on the affected area.
Diabetes
A decoction of the bark can also be taken in diabetes mellitus
with beneficial results.
Piles
Madhuca oil extracted from the seeds has laxative properties. It
helps cure piles by relieving chronic constipation.
Orchitis
Vapours of boiling madhuca leaves are useful in relieving the
pain of orchitis or the inflammation of testicles.
Problem of Breast Milk Secretion
Flowers of the tree are effective in increasing the flow d milk
in nursing mothers. The seeds also have a similarpropei1.
Bleeding Gums
A lotion is made by mixing 4 ml of the liquid extract of the
bark of the madhuca tree with 300 ml of water is anexccellent
gargle for bleeding and spongy gums.
Tonsilitis
This lotion can also be used as a gargle in the treatment of
acute and chronic tonsilitis and pharyngitis.
Eczema
The leaves of madhuca are effective in the treatment of eczema.
The leaves, smeared with sesame oil, warmed overa fire and bandaged
on the affected parts provide relief. They should be changed after
every 3 to 4 hours.
Skin Disorders
The ash of the leaves, mixed with ghee, is often used as a
dressing for burns and scalds in the indigenous system ofmedicine.
For the cure of itching, a paste of the bark is applied locally.
The oil extracted from the seeds can also beapplied locally in skin
diseases.
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Other Uses
The madhuca tree is a very important source of food for the
Gonds and other tribes in Central and Western India. Theflowers are
eaten raw or cooked. They are also used for making alcohol,
vinegar, syrups and jams. Madhuca oil islargely used in the
manufacture of soaps, besides cooking.
