Herb's Introduction
Putranjiva roxburghii, also known by the common name Putranjiva or the Lucky Bean Tree, is a moderate-sized, evergreen tree of immense traditional and medicinal value, especially in the Ayurvedic and Sidha systems of medicine in India. It belongs to the family Putranjivaceae (often placed in Euphorbiaceae in older classifications). The plant is particularly renowned for its use in issues related to fertility and for ensuring the well-being and protection of children—a significance clearly reflected in its name, as 'Putra' means 'child' and 'Jiva' means 'life' in Sanskrit. Its various parts, including the leaves, fruits, and seeds, are utilized for their diverse healing properties, which are often attributed to the presence of various bioactive compounds such as glycosides, saponins, and flavonoids. Beyond its medicinal uses, the tree is also culturally important, with its hard-shelled seeds traditionally strung into rosaries and necklaces for use as protective amulets.
Name in Different Countries
Scientific Name: Putranjiva roxburghii Wall. Family: Putranjivaceae (Synonym: Drypetes roxburghii (Wall.) Hurus) Common English Names: Putranjiva, Lucky Bean Tree, Child-life Tree, Indian Amulet Plant, Spurious Wild Olive. Indian Regional Names (as provided in the data): Bengali: Putranjiva, Jioysuta Gujarati: પુત્રંજીવા (Putranjiva) Hindi: Putijia, जियापोथा (Jiyapotha) Kannada: ಪುತ್ರಮ್ಜೀವ (Putramjiva), ಮೆಣಸಿನಕಲೆ (Menasinakale), Amani Putrajiva Konkani: Saman Malayalam: Pongalam, പുത്തിലഞ്ഞി (Puththilanji) Marathi: Jivanputra, Patravanti Oriya: Poilundia Sanskrit: पुत्रंजीव: (Putrajivah) Tamil: Irukolli, Karupala, புத்திரசீவி, கறிப்பாலை (Kari-p-palai) Telugu: Kuduru, పుత్రజీవిక (Putrajivika) Urdu: Paishandia
Terminology
Botanical Classification: The plant is classified as Putranjiva roxburghii Wall., named after the renowned botanist William Roxburgh. Its family is Putranjivaceae. Ayurvedic Terminology (Putrajivah/Putrajivaka): In Ayurveda, the name Putrajivaka literally translates to "that which promotes or gives life to progeny," highlighting its primary traditional use as a herb for promoting fertility and maintaining the health of a child or fetus. It is considered an aphrodisiac, diuretic, and laxative in nature, which balances Pitta Dosha and can increase Kapha and Vata Dosha. Phytochemicals: The plant parts contain important compounds such as glucoputranjivin, glycosides (glucojiaputin, glucocochlearin, glucocleomin), saponins, flavonoids, and triterpenes. The oil extracted from the seed contains isothiocyanates (like isopropyl and 2-butyl isothiocyanates), which are believed to contribute to its biological activities. Cultural Terminology: The common name "Lucky Bean Tree" and "Indian Amulet Plant" stem from the traditional practice of using its hard seeds as beads in necklaces and rosaries for protective purposes, particularly for children.
Availability
Geographical Distribution: Putranjiva roxburghii is native to the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia, extending to Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and New Guinea. Habitat: It is typically found in tropical and subtropical regions, thriving along riverbanks, in shady valleys, and in evergreen or semi-evergreen forests, generally up to 600 meters in altitude. It is well-suited to Indian tropical and subtropical climates, showing tolerance for heat and moderate drought. Cultivation and Trade: The tree is frequently cultivated as an ornamental tree in gardens, avenues, resorts, and institutional campuses, especially in India, due to its dense, evergreen canopy and graceful, drooping branches. Its medicinal parts—leaves, fruits, and seeds—are commercially available through herbal and Ayurvedic suppliers in the regions where it is cultivated and used. The seeds are sometimes collected from the wild for local medicinal use and for making beads.
External Look
Habit and Size: It is a medium-sized, evergreen tree, typically growing up to 12 meters, but sometimes reaching up to 20 meters in height. It is known for its attractive appearance, with a naturally rounded crown and slender, often pendent (drooping) branches. Bark: The bark is dark gray and characterized by the presence of horizontal lenticels (pores). Leaves: The leaves are simple, alternate, and arranged in two rows (distichous). They are elliptic-oblong to elliptic-ovate, with a slightly serrate (toothed) and wavy margin, and a dark, glossy green color on the upper surface, often appearing coriaceous (leathery). They measure about 5-12 cm in length. Flowers: The tree is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are borne on separate plants. The flowers are small and yellowish-green. Male flowers are clustered in the axils of the leaves, while the female flowers are usually solitary in the axils. Fruit: The fruit is a drupe (a fleshy fruit with a central stone), typically ellipsoid in shape, about 1-2 cm in diameter. It is initially green but turns black when fully ripe. The fruit is covered in white hair and contains a single, very hard, white stone/seed. Seed/Stone: The seeds are the most recognizable part, being hard and white, often polished by handling, and frequently strung together to form rosaries or necklaces.
Healing Properties
Traditional Healing Focus (Ayurveda/Sidha): The herb is highly regarded as an antipyretic (fever-reducing), anti-inflammatory, and anti-rheumatic agent. Fertility and Reproductive Health: The key property, as suggested by its name, is its use as a uterine tonic and pro-fertility agent. It is traditionally used to address female infertility, maintain the fetus in pregnant women, prevent habitual abortions/miscarriages, and for women whose children died in utero. It is also used to treat male infertility, particularly to improve sperm count and to help with azoospermia (absence of sperm). Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic: It has scientifically supported anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain-relieving) properties, making it useful in treating rheumatism, arthralgias, and muscle pain. Antipyretic: Decoctions of the leaves and fruit are traditionally taken for treating fevers and colds. Antimicrobial and Antifungal: The plant possesses significant antibacterial, antifungal, and insect repellent properties. Other Actions: It is reported to have antidiabetic (anti-hyperglycemic), anti-epileptic, anti-cancer, anthelmintic (anti-worm), and antioxidant activities. It is also used to treat liver complaints, constipation, and eye disorders.
Advantages
Multifaceted Medicinal Use: Offers a wide range of therapeutic benefits, from treating common ailments like cold and fever to chronic issues like rheumatism and reproductive disorders. Reproductive System Support: Its specific traditional use in enhancing fertility and preventing miscarriage is a major advantage, offering a natural approach to reproductive health. Cultural and Protective Significance: The use of its hard seeds as protective amulets (rosaries, necklaces) for children adds a unique cultural and psychological benefit, reinforcing traditional beliefs about health and safety. Anti-inflammatory and Pain Relief: Provides natural relief for inflammatory conditions like rheumatism and muscle pain, often without the side effects associated with synthetic drugs. Low Maintenance as an Ornamental: As an evergreen, drought-tolerant, and low-maintenance tree, it is an excellent choice for landscaping, providing year-round shade and ecological value.
Uses
Traditional Medicine (Ayurveda/Sidha): Fertility: Seed powder with milk is given to improve sperm count in males and to maintain the fetus in pregnant women. Used for anovulatory cycles. Rheumatism, Cold, and Fever: Decoction of leaves and fruit is used for these conditions. Topical Applications: Paste of the leaf or seed is applied externally for allergic skin rashes, headache, burning sensation, and to treat filariasis (elephantiasis). Seed oil is used for muscle pain massage. Other Internal Uses: Cold infusion of leaves for difficulty in urination (micturition). Decoction of dried fruits and seeds for cold, cough, and sprue. Cultural and Magico-Religious Uses: Protective Amulet: Hard stones of the fruit are strung into necklaces (rosaries) and worn by children to protect them from diseases and harm. Miscarriage Prevention: Fruits worn as a necklace by pregnant women to prevent miscarriage. Skin Ailments: Garland of dried fruits used as a necklace to cure skin allergy and itch. Other Uses: Oil: An olive-brown fixed oil is obtained from the seed, used for burning. Wood: The close-grained, moderately hard wood is used for construction, turnery, and tool handles. Ornamental: Planted extensively for its attractive foliage and shade provision in avenues and gardens.
Using Way
The traditional usage of Putranjiva roxburghii involves various preparations of its different parts: Powder (Seed): Dose: 1-3 grams of seed powder, typically mixed with milk, is advised for improving sperm count and for reproductive support in women (such as maintaining a fetus or in anovulatory cycles). Decoction (Leaves and Fruit/Bark): Preparation: Boiling the leaves, fruit, or bark in water to concentrate the medicinal compounds. Use: The resulting decoction is taken orally to treat conditions like fever, cold, and rheumatism. A stronger dose of the decoction can be 50-100 ml. Fresh Juice (Leaves): Dose: 10-15 ml of fresh leaf juice, used traditionally to treat elephantiasis. Paste (Leaf or Seed): Preparation: The part (leaf or seed marrow) is ground into a fine paste, often with water. Topical Use: Applied externally on the forehead for acute headache, over allergic skin rashes, or on areas with a burning sensation. It may be applied lukewarm for headache. Beads/Necklaces: Preparation: The hard, cleaned stones of the fruit are bored and strung together. External Use (Contact Therapy/Amulet): Worn as a necklace or rosary around the neck by children or pregnant women for protection against harm, diseases, and miscarriage. Important Note: As with all traditional medicines, it is crucial to consult a qualified Ayurvedic or Sidha practitioner for the correct diagnosis, appropriate formulation, and personalized dosage before using any part of Putranjiva roxburghii.
Conclusion
Putranjiva roxburghii, the Lucky Bean Tree, stands as a testament to the confluence of traditional medicine and cultural belief. Revered in Ayurveda and Sidha, its name encapsulates its most famous virtue: promoting the life and health of progeny. Its medicinal profile is rich, with verified anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and significant pro-fertility properties derived from its seeds, leaves, and fruits. From a protective amulet worn by children to a potent remedy for rheumatism and reproductive issues, the plant's value is deeply ingrained in the local ethos of the Indian subcontinent. As modern science continues to validate its traditional uses, Putranjiva roxburghii remains a vital part of herbal pharmacopeia, blending natural elegance with a profound legacy of healing and protective symbolism. Its ongoing study in areas like anti-diabetic and anti-cancer research further solidifies its position as a valuable botanical resource for the future.
