Herb's Introduction
Rhododendron arboreum Sm., commonly known as the Tree Rhododendron or Burans, is a large evergreen shrub or small tree belonging to the family Ericaceae. It is a prominent and highly valued species, especially in the Himalayan region, where it is native. The plant is celebrated for its striking, bell-shaped flowers, which typically bloom in vibrant shades of red, rose-red, or scarlet, creating spectacular displays in the spring. Rhododendron arboreum holds significant cultural, economic, and medicinal importance. It is notably the National Flower of Nepal and the State Tree of Uttarakhand, India. Historically, various parts of the plant, especially the flowers and leaves, have been utilized in traditional medicine and food preparation.
Name in Different Countries
The herb is known by various common names across the regions where it grows: Scientific Name: Rhododendron arboreum Sm. Family: Ericaceae Hindi: बुरांस (Burans), लाल बुरांश (Lal buransh) Nepali: लाली गुराँस (Lali gurans) Tamil: பிலி (Billi) Malayalam: Kattupoo varasu (കാട്ടുപൂവരശ്) Persian: خرزه هندی درختی (Kharzeh hendi derakhti) Polish: Różanecznik drzewiasty Thai: คำแดง (Kham Daeng) Chinese: 树形杜鹃 (Shùxíng dùjuān) Other Indian Names: alingi, ardawal, aru, baras, bhorans, bili, lalguras, malai-ppuvaracu, rato guras, etc.
Terminology
Rhododendron arboreum is an evergreen species often reaching a height of 2 to 3 meters, sometimes growing much taller, and is characterized as a shadow-demanding species naturally found in light forests of the Himalayas. Chemical Constituents: The plant is rich in various phytochemicals including saponins, flavonoids, steroids, tannins, phenolic acids, glucoside (ericolin), ursolic acid, quercetin, rutin, hyperoside, and catechins. These bioactive compounds are responsible for its medicinal properties. Traditional Preparation Terms: Squash/Sharbat (Rhodojuice): A refreshing sweet-sour beverage prepared from the fresh flowers/petals. Chutney: A condiment made from fresh petals, often with a sweet and sour taste, like 'barah ki chutney'. Decoction/Tea: Made from the flowers or leaves and used traditionally to treat various ailments.
Availability
Rhododendron arboreum is indigenous to the Himalayas, ranging from Kashmir eastward to Nagaland, and extending into Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, China, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. It thrives in hilly and mountainous areas, typically in light forests. Geographical Range: Primarily found in the Himalayan belt and surrounding mountainous regions. Cultivation/Harvest: It is commonly cultivated in gardens and parks as an ornamental tree in many cultivars. The flowers are generally collected during the blooming season from late March to May. Commercial Availability: The flowers are processed into various commercial products like juice, squash, jams, jellies, and wine, especially in states like Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh in India, and in Nepal.
External Look
Habit: A medium-sized evergreen tree or large shrub, generally 2-3 meters high but can grow up to 20 meters in favorable conditions. Leaves: Leathery, large, oblong-lanceolate, or elliptic-obovoid. The upper surface is glabrous (smooth), and the lower surface often has a silvery or rusty-brown indumentum (a coating of scales or hairs). They are gathered at the ends of the branches. Flowers: Large, bell-shaped (campanulate), clustered in dense terminal inflorescences (corymbs). The color is typically deep red or scarlet at lower altitudes, transitioning to pink and white at higher elevations. They bloom profusely in spring. Fruit/Seeds: The fruit is a cylindrical, scaly capsule that is curved and contains numerous elliptic-obovoid seeds, which are small (2-3.6 x 1-1.2 mm), brown, furrowed, lustrous, and surrounded by a membranous wing. Bark: Pale brown and often flaking.
Healing Properties
Rhododendron arboreum possesses a range of scientifically studied and traditionally recognized therapeutic properties: Anti-inflammatory and Anti-nociceptive (Pain-relieving): Extracts from the flowers and bark have been shown to possess significant anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects, which supports its traditional use for rheumatism, arthritis, and general pain. Antioxidant: The flowers and leaves are rich in antioxidants, such as flavonoids and phenolic compounds (quercetin, rutin), which help combat oxidative stress and protect against chronic diseases. Hepatoprotective (Liver Protective): Certain extracts, particularly from the flowers, have exhibited potential to protect the liver against damage. Anti-diarrheal and Anti-dysenteric: Traditionally used to treat diarrhea and bloody dysentery, a property supported by the anti-diarrheal activity of flower extracts. Antimicrobial/Antibacterial: Extracts have shown activity against various bacteria, suggesting a role in fighting bacterial and fungal infections. Cardiovascular Support: Traditional uses include remedies for heart-related problems. Studies suggest it may help in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. Adaptogenic and Immunomodulatory: Compounds in the plant are thought to help the body adapt to stress and modulate the immune system.
Advantages
The plant offers numerous advantages, both medicinal and practical: Traditional Remedy: A key herb in folk medicine across the Himalayan region for a wide range of common ailments like coughs, fever, headache, stomachache, dysentery, and inflammation. Nutritional Value: The flowers are rich in minerals (manganese, zinc, iron, copper) and Vitamin C, contributing to its health benefits. Culinary Use: The sweet and sour petals are used to make refreshing beverages (juice, squash, wine) and culinary items (chutneys, jams, jellies), providing a unique and healthy food source. Aesthetic and Cultural Value: It is a beautiful ornamental plant, a national symbol (Nepal), and its wood is used for making charcoal, fuel, and various wooden products like gift boxes and tool handles. Potential for Modern Medicine: Its confirmed antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diarrheal properties make it a promising source for developing new therapeutic formulations.
Uses
Different parts of the Rhododendron arboreum plant are utilized for various purposes: Flowers: Edible/Beverage: Used to prepare juice (sharbat/squash), jams, jellies, and a local brew to prevent high altitude sickness. Petals are eaten raw or made into chutney. Medicinal: Used for treating coughs, fever, diarrhea, bloody dysentery, and traditionally believed to help in dislodging a fish bone stuck in the throat. Flower juice is used as a heart and health tonic. Ornamental: Used for decoration, in bouquets, and as religious offerings. Leaves (Young): Medicinal: Paste or juice applied to the forehead to alleviate headaches and vertigo. Dried leaves are used for rheumatism and gout. Traditional Poison: Young leaves are reportedly used to poison fish (caution advised due to reported toxicity of some parts). Bark: Medicinal: Juice used for coughs, diarrhea, dysentery, piles, and liver disorders. A snuff is made to relieve cold. Wood: Used for fuel, making charcoal, tool handles, packsaddles, and gift boxes.
Using way
The method of use depends on the desired effect and the plant part: For Refreshment/Appetizer/High Altitude Sickness: The fresh flowers are pressed to extract juice, which is mixed with water and sugar to make a sharbat or squash, consumed as a daily refreshing drink. For Diarrhea/Dysentery: Fresh or dried petals are consumed, or a powder of dried flowers is fried in ghee and administered traditionally. The bark juice is also used for these ailments. For Headache/Vertigo/Rheumatic Pain: The tender leaves are crushed into a paste or the juice is extracted and applied externally to the forehead or affected joints. As a Heart Tonic/General Health: The flower juice/squash is consumed as a tonic. For Swallowed Fish Bone (Traditional): Petals or corolla are eaten, or the name of the flower is recited (as a traditional belief). Caution: The plant contains the glucoside ericoli/grayanotoxin (especially in nectar, stamen, and young leaves), which can be toxic if consumed in excess, causing intoxication or toxic symptoms, hence proper traditional preparation methods must be followed, or only the edible parts (corolla/petals after removing toxic parts) should be used in moderation.
Conclusion
Rhododendron arboreum, the majestic Tree Rhododendron, is a botanical treasure of the Himalayan regions. Beyond its stunning ornamental value as the National Flower of Nepal and State Tree of Uttarakhand, it is a powerhouse of traditional medicine. Its vibrant flowers yield a popular, refreshing, and health-benefiting juice known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-diarrheal properties, supporting heart and liver health. While its use in food and traditional remedies is extensive, caution is warranted regarding the reported toxicity of its nectar, stamen, and young leaves due to grayanotoxins. The growing scientific validation of its bioactive compounds solidifies its status as a significant source for nutraceuticals and phytomedicines, cementing its dual role in cultural identity and natural healthcare.
