Macaranga peltata, a dioecious tree belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family, is a fascinating herb with a rich history of traditional use. Known by various names across different regions, this plant has been valued for centuries for its diverse applications and potential healing properties. This comprehensive guide will explore its characteristics, traditional uses, and modern-day relevance.
Introduction
Macaranga peltata is a medium-sized tree that can grow up to 15 meters tall. It's distinguished by its pale, greyish-brown bark, which is smooth and lenticellate, meaning it has small, corky pores. The tree's most notable feature is its peltate leaves, which are large, rounded, and have the petiole (leaf stem) attached to the center of the leaf blade rather than the edge. This unique characteristic is also reflected in its common names, such as Vattakanni and Vattathamarai, which translate to "round-eyed" or "round lotus" in Malayalam and Tamil, respectively. The tree produces a deep red, gummy exudate when its bark is cut.
Names in Different Countries and Languages Macaranga peltata is known by a variety of common names that often reflect its physical appearance or traditional uses.
Hindi: Chand Kal
Kannada: Vattathamarai, ಚಮ್ದಕಲ (Chanda kala), ಉಪ್ಪ್ಲಿಗೆ (Upplige), ಬಟ್ಲ ಚಮ್ದ್ರಿಕೆ (Batla Chamdrike)
Konkani: Kondatamara
Malayalam: തൊടുകണ്ണി (Thodukanni), ഉപ്പില (Uppila), Uppothy, വട്ടക്കണ്ണി (Vattakkanni)
Marathi: चांदवा (Chandava), चांदा (Chanda)
Oriya: Piania
Tamil: வட்டிக்கண்ணி (Vatti-k-kanni), Vattathamarei, Vattakanni
Telugu: బొద్ది (Boddi)
This multitude of names highlights the plant's widespread presence and cultural significance across various regions of India.
Terminology
The scientific name, Macaranga peltata (Roxb.) Müll.Arg., is crucial for unambiguous identification. The genus name, Macaranga, is derived from the Malayan word for this type of tree. The specific epithet, peltata, is from Latin and means "shield-shaped," a direct reference to its peltate leaves.
The plant's synonyms, such as Mappa peltata and Tanarius peltatus, show its historical classification under different botanical names before it was definitively placed within the Macaranga genus.
Availability
Macaranga peltata is primarily found in the tropical and subtropical regions of South Asia, particularly in India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia. It thrives in moist, deciduous forests and is commonly found in the Western Ghats region of India. The tree is not typically cultivated on a large scale but is readily available in its natural habitat. Its leaves, bark, and gum are harvested for traditional medicinal purposes.
External Look
The external appearance of Macaranga peltata is characterized by several key features:
Bark: The bark is pale, greyish-brown, and relatively smooth with white mottling and small, raised pores called lenticels. When cut, it reveals a deep pink-red inner layer and releases a sticky, red, gummy exudate.
Leaves: The leaves are large (11-25 cm x 9-20 cm), ovate-orbicular, and peltate, meaning the petiole is attached to the center of the leaf. They are leathery, glabrous (smooth) on the top, and pubescent (hairy) with reddish glands on the underside.
Flowers: The flowers are small and greenish-yellow. Macaranga peltata is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are borne on separate trees. The male flowers are in dense, branched clusters, while the female flowers are in simpler racemes.
Fruit: The fruit is a small, globose capsule, about 5-6 mm across. It is hairy and glandular and turns black when ripe. Each fruit contains a single black seed.
Healing Properties and Advantages
Macaranga peltata has been a part of traditional medicine systems, especially the Siddha system in India, for centuries. Its parts are believed to possess various therapeutic properties.
Anti-inflammatory and Antimicrobial: The bark and leaves are used to create decoctions for washing sores and treating skin infections. The gummy exudate is also applied to venereal sores, suggesting its potential antimicrobial action.
Wound Healing: The fresh stem bark extract is used as a lotion for cuts, particularly those caused by iron tools, to promote healing and prevent infection.
Postpartum Remedy: In the Siddha system, the leaves are used as a postpartum remedy to help the mother's body recover after childbirth.
Kidney Health: The bark is traditionally used to prepare a decoction believed to help with the removal of kidney stones.
Musculoskeletal Healing: Young fruits, when crushed with coconut oil, are made into a paste and applied to aid in the setting of bones, showcasing a traditional use for musculoskeletal injuries.
The presence of various phytochemicals like flavonoids, tannins, and steroids in the plant contributes to its purported medicinal effects. These compounds are known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities.
Uses and Using Way
The different parts of the Macaranga peltata tree are used in various forms:
Leaves: Used as a decoction for postpartum care and as an external wash for sores.
Bark: A decoction is prepared to treat kidney stones and as a topical wash for skin ailments.
Stem Bark Extract: The fresh extract is applied directly to cuts and wounds.
Fruits: Young fruits are crushed with coconut oil to form a paste for external application on fractures or bone-setting.
Gum: The powdered gum is made into a paste with water or oil and applied to venereal sores and to address postnatal complaints.
The application methods are primarily traditional and often involve decoctions (boiling the plant parts in water) or pastes for external use.
Conclusion
Macaranga peltata, or Chand Kal, is a remarkable tree with deep roots in traditional medicine. Its unique physical characteristics, from the distinctive peltate leaves to the red gummy exudate, are matched by its wide range of traditional uses. While scientific research is ongoing to validate its full spectrum of medicinal properties, its long-standing use in systems like Siddha medicine underscores its cultural and historical significance. The tree's various parts—leaves, bark, fruits, and gum—each offer different therapeutic applications, making it a truly versatile and valuable herb.
