Hymenodictyon orixense, a deciduous tree reaching up to 20 meters, is a valuable plant in traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda and Siddha. Known for its distinctive, rough bark and various medicinal properties, it's found across several parts of Asia. The tree is a member of the Rubiaceae family, which also includes the coffee plant and cinchona, a source of quinine. This detailed guide explores its introduction, names in various countries, terminology, external appearance, healing properties, and traditional uses.
Introduction
Hymenodictyon orixense is a large deciduous tree that holds significant cultural and medicinal importance, particularly in traditional healthcare systems of South Asia. It is often recognized by its rough, vertically fissured bark and the presence of prominent, leafy stipules. The plant's historical use in treating various ailments, especially fevers and digestive issues, has been well-documented in ancient texts and practices.
Names in Different Countries
The plant is known by a variety of names, reflecting its widespread presence and cultural significance. Some of the common names include:
Assamese: Kodam, Paroli
Bengali: Latikarum
Chinese: Gao wang mo zi
Gujarati: Madhamahudo, Luniyo, Bhammar Chaal
Hindi: Bhurkur, Kala Bachnag
Kannada: Doli Mara
Malayalam: Vellakdamabu
Marathi: Kuda, Bhorsal, Bhramarsali
Oriya: Guliya
Sanskrit: Ugragandha, Bhringah-vriksha, Bhramarchalli
Tamil: Vellai-k-katampu
Telugu: Bandaaru-chettu
Thai: U lok
Terminology and Synonyms
The scientific name is Hymenodictyon orixense (Roxb.) Mabb. It has several synonyms, which are different scientific names that have been used for the same plant over time. Some of the notable synonyms include:
Cinchona excelsa Roxb.
Hymenodictyon excelsum (Roxb.) Wall.
Hymenodictyon rheedei (Roem. & Schult.) M.R.Almeida & S.M.Almeida
Exostema philippicum Schult.
The plant's family is Rubiaceae, and it is part of the genus Hymenodictyon. The specific epithet "orixense" refers to its origin in Odisha (formerly Orissa), a state in India.
External Appearance
Hymenodictyon orixense is a large tree with a distinctive appearance.
Bark: The bark is a key feature, measuring up to 2 cm thick. It is typically grey to greyish-brown, rough, and marked by deep, vertical fissures and cracks. When the outer bark is removed, the inner layer, or blaze, is an orange-red color.
Leaves: The leaves are simple, opposite, and arranged in a decussate pattern. They are large, ranging from 10-25 cm long, and have an ovate or elliptic-ovate shape. The leaves are typically pubescent (covered in fine hairs) on both sides.
Flowers: The flowers are small, pale green, and grow in clusters called racemes at the ends of branches or in the leaf axils. They have a slender, elongated corolla tube and five lobes.
Fruit: The fruit is a flat, elliptic capsule, about 2.5 cm long, that hangs from the branches. It is a two-valved capsule that, when mature, turns brown.
Seeds: The seeds are numerous and broadly winged, which aids in their dispersal by wind.
Healing Properties
The bark of Hymenodictyon orixense is the primary part used for medicinal purposes. It is known to possess a strong bitter taste and is used fresh or dried. The plant is attributed with a range of therapeutic properties:
Astringent: Helps in constricting tissues and stopping bleeding.
Hypotensive: Aids in lowering blood pressure.
Antimalarial & Febrifuge: The bark is traditionally used to reduce fever and combat malaria. This is likely due to the presence of alkaloids.
Anti-periodic: Helps in preventing the recurrence of certain diseases, particularly fevers.
Analgesic: Provides pain relief.
Anti-diarrheal: Helps in managing diarrhea.
Anti-tapeworm: The powdered bark is used to expel tapeworms from the body.
Advantages
The use of Hymenodictyon orixense in traditional medicine offers several advantages:
Natural Source: It provides a natural alternative for treating various health conditions.
Traditional Knowledge: Its use is backed by centuries of traditional knowledge and practices in Ayurveda and Siddha.
Holistic Approach: The plant is often used as part of a holistic treatment plan that considers the entire body.
Uses and Usage
The plant is used in various forms to treat a range of conditions:
Fevers and Malaria: A decoction (a concentrated liquid) of the bark is a common remedy for fever and malaria.
Diarrhea and Dysentery: The bark decoction is also given to manage these digestive issues.
Piles and Liver Disorders: Crushed and powdered bark is taken orally for piles and dysentery, while a paste is applied to the liver area in children for related disorders.
Facilitating Delivery: In some traditional practices, a specific decoction combining the barks of Hymenodictyon orixense, Sterculia urens, and Madhuca longifolia, along with the root of Carissa congesta, is given to women to ease childbirth.
Skin Diseases: A paste made from the bark is applied externally to treat various skin conditions.
Gout: A paste of the plant's root is applied to joints to relieve the pain associated with gout.
Ceremonial Use: The flowers of the tree are sometimes used in religious rituals and worshipping.
Conclusion
Hymenodictyon orixense is a remarkable tree with a rich history of medicinal use. Its bitter bark, rich in active compounds, has been a cornerstone of traditional treatments for fevers, digestive problems, and various other ailments. While traditional use provides a strong foundation, modern research is needed to fully understand its chemical composition and therapeutic potential. As a plant deeply embedded in the cultural and medicinal landscape of South Asia, Hymenodictyon orixense continues to be a symbol of natural healing and traditional wisdom.
