Herb's Introduction
Soymida febrifuga (Roxb.) A.Juss. is a prominent deciduous tree belonging to the Meliaceae family, commonly known as the Mahogany family. It is a monotypic genus, meaning it is the sole species in the genus Soymida. Historically, and presently, it holds immense importance, particularly in traditional systems of medicine like Ayurveda, where it is highly valued for its bitter tonic, anti-pyretic, and astringent properties. The plant is often referred to as "Indian Redwood" or "Bastard Cedar" due to its valuable timber, but its medicinal use, especially the bark, is what has garnered it significant attention. The name febrifuga itself, meaning "fever-expelling," directly points to its most famous traditional application as a febrifuge, often used as a substitute for quinine in local or tribal practices, particularly in parts of India. The tree is an endemic species, predominantly found in India and neighboring regions of the Indian Subcontinent, growing well in dry forests. Its traditional uses are well-documented among local communities and herbalists for treating a wide array of ailments, ranging from fevers and general debility to bleeding disorders and various infections.
Name in Different Countries
Soymida febrifuga is known by numerous vernacular names across the regions where it grows, reflecting its wide distribution and cultural significance, especially in the Indian Subcontinent. Botanical Name: Soymida febrifuga (Roxb.) A.Juss. Family: Meliaceae (Nimba Kula in Ayurveda) Synonyms: Swietenia febrifuga, Swietenia obtusifolia Common English Names: Indian Redwood, Bastard Cedar, Rohan Tree Sanskrit: मांसरॊहिणी (Mansarohini), Maansarohini, Rohini, Rohinaa, Prahaarvalli, Chandravallabha Hindi: रक्तरोहन (Raktarohan), रोहन (Rohan), Rohunna Marathi: guhin-ruhina, potar, ruhin Kannada: kalgarige, kalkarige, kemmara, Some, Ashokadamara Telugu: cevamanu, cheramaanu, Omidi Chekka, Soma, Somi, Somodi, Somidha, Sumi Tamil: cataputpilinapam, cataputpinai, Somi-maram, Wond, Omai, Shem, Semmaram Oriya: suam Bengali: Rohan, Rohira Urdu: रोहन (Rohan) Sinhala (Sri Lanka): Yakkon (යක්කෝන් /යක්කොන්)
Terminology
In a medicinal context, the primary terminology related to Soymida febrifuga is derived from its pharmacological and Ayurvedic properties. Ayurvedic Terminology: Rasa (Taste): Katu (Pungent), Kashaya (Astringent), Madhura (Sweet). The bark is notably bitter. Guna (Qualities): Laghu (Light to digest), Rooksha (Dryness). Vipaka (Post-digestive Taste): Katu (Pungent). Veerya (Potency): Sheeta (Coolant). Effect on Tridosha: Balances all three Doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha). Classical Categorization: Included in Balya (group of herbs that improve strength and immunity), Nyagrodhadi gana, and classified as Rasayana (anti-aging). Phytochemical Terminology: The plant contains numerous secondary metabolites which are the source of its medicinal action. Key compounds include tetranor-triterpenoids (such as Lupeol, Sitasterol, Deoxyandirobin), flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and phenolic compounds. These compounds are responsible for its wide range of biological activities.
Availability
Soymida febrifuga is native to the Indian Subcontinent and Myanmar. Its native range includes: India: It is widely distributed, especially in the dry forests of the Western Peninsula, including states like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh. It thrives in various soils including lime soils, black cotton soils, and dry stony hills. Neighboring Countries: Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. It is generally a plant of dry to moist, mainly lowland tropical areas, found at elevations up to 900 meters. The tree is harvested from the wild, primarily for its medicinal bark and valuable timber. However, due to nonscientific and over-extraction, its population has been declining, leading to conservation concerns and making it locally threatened or close to extinction in several regions. This highlights the importance of sustainable harvesting practices.
External Look
Soymida febrifuga is a lofty, indigenous, deciduous tree that can grow to a substantial height of up to 25 meters (70-80 feet). Habit: A tall, semi-deciduous tree. Leaves: They are large, typically 23-45 cm long, and are crowded towards the ends of the branches. They are paripinnate, featuring 3-6 pairs of opposite leaflets that are elliptic or oblong in shape, with an obtuse (blunt) or retuse (notched) apex. The leaves are glabrous (smooth) and penninerved, with numerous conspicuous nerves underneath. Flowers: Greenish-white, borne in large terminal or auxiliary, divaricately branched panicles, which often equal the length of the leaves. They appear around February to May. Fruit (Capsule): The fruits are woody, five-celled, and five-valved capsules that open septifragally. They are 2.5–6.3 cm long and ripen around May to June. The woody capsule segments (valves) and the central column (columella), sometimes sold commercially as "lily pods" or "lily petals," are notable features. Bark: This is the most medicinally significant part. The older bark is deep red, thick, and fibrous, with a rusty, grey, or brown external appearance but a bright reddish-brown inner surface. It exhibits furrows or cracks and has numerous small corky warts. The bark has a fibrous fracture, no distinct odor, but a pronounced bitter and astringent taste. When the external bark is removed from the root bark, it is described as oozing a blood-colored exudate.
Healing Properties
The healing properties of Soymida febrifuga are extensive, stemming from its rich composition of tannins, triterpenoids, and flavonoids, which confer various pharmacological activities: Antipyretic/Febrifugal: Its most celebrated property; effective in reducing fever, particularly useful as a traditional remedy in cases of malaria ("tridosha fevers") where it was used as a quinine substitute. Astringent and Styptic: Due to high tannin content, it causes contraction of body tissues and acts as a blood coagulant, making it effective in treating bleeding disorders (Raktapitta) and acting as an anti-hemorrhagic agent. Anti-diarrhoeal and Anti-dysenteric: Its astringent action helps to firm up stools and is indicated in treating conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), diarrhea, and dysentery. Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic: It is used to relieve pain and swelling, applied externally to rheumatic swellings and internally for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. Antimicrobial: Extracts have shown antibacterial and antifungal activity against various pathogens, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Aspergillus niger. Anti-helminthic/Antiparasitic: Effective in treating worm infestations (Krimi). Antioxidant: Possesses free radical scavenging activity, which contributes to its general health benefits. Hepatoprotective: Some studies indicate potential liver-protecting activity. Anti-cancer Potential: Traditional uses and preliminary studies suggest it as a potential remedy for cancer. General Tonic/Rasayana: Considered a bitter tonic that combats general debility, acts as an anti-aging agent, and rejuvenates tissues.
Advantages
The medicinal and practical advantages of Soymida febrifuga are manifold: Broad Spectrum Febrifuge: Provides an accessible, traditional alternative for fever management, especially for "jungle fevers" where conventional treatments might be unavailable or ineffective in traditional settings. Effective Astringent for Bleeding: Highly beneficial for internal and external bleeding disorders, including menorrhagia (heavy periods), hemorrhage, and internal bleeding. Gastrointestinal Health: Offers a natural remedy for chronic digestive issues like IBS, chronic diarrhea, and dysentery due to its potent absorbent and astringent qualities. Oral and Dental Hygiene: The bark decoction serves as an excellent gargle for stomatitis (mouth inflammation), sore throats, and in treating various dental diseases. Multipurpose External Application: Can be used as a paste or decoction for wounds, cuts, rheumatic swellings, edema, and various infections, promoting healing and reducing inflammation. Holistic Ayurvedic Benefits: As a Rasayana, it goes beyond treating symptoms to improve overall strength (Balya), immunity, skin tone (Varnya), and vigor (Vrushya). Economic Value: Besides medicine, the tree yields a valuable, deep-red timber and is also a source of fiber, dyes, and gum, making it a valuable forest resource.
Uses
The primary uses of Soymida febrifuga center on its bark, which is utilized in various forms: Infections and Fevers: Treatment of all types of fevers, including malarial and tridosha fevers. Gastrointestinal Tract: Managing diarrhea, dysentery, sprue (chronic diarrhea), anorexia (loss of appetite), and worm infestations. Bleeding and Hemorrhagic Disorders: Used internally for Raktapitta (bleeding disorders like nasal bleeding or heavy periods) and hemorrhage. Wounds and Skin: Applied externally as a paste to wounds to accelerate healing, act as a styptic, relieve edema, and reduce inflammation. Oral Health: Bark decoction is used as a gargle for stomatitis and sore throats. Rheumatic Conditions: Paste is applied topically to rheumatic swellings and for general body pain. Female Reproductive System: Decoction is used for vaginal infections (as a douche) and administered orally for leucorrhoea, dysmenorrhea, and uterine bleeding. Other Uses: Indicated in promoting fracture healing (Asthibhagna), improving strength, and clearing the throat of mucus secretions (Kanthashuddhikara). The timber is used for construction and furniture.
Using way
The methods of preparation and administration vary depending on the ailment, but the stem bark is the most frequently used part. Decoction (Kashaya): Preparation: A common method involves boiling the bark in water until the liquid reduces to a certain fraction (e.g., one-fourth). Use: The cooled decoction is consumed orally for fevers, diarrhea, dysentery, general debility, and internal bleeding disorders. It is also used as a gargle for stomatitis/sore throat or as an enema/vaginal douche. Paste (Lepa): Preparation: The bark is ground with a liquid (often water or a suitable medium) to form a thick paste. Use: Applied externally to rheumatic swellings, cuts, wounds, and areas of inflammation or edema. Powder (Churna): Preparation: The dried bark is finely powdered. Use: The powder can be consumed with honey or a suitable carrier in specific doses for internal ailments, or used in preparations for local applications. Bark Infusion: Preparation: Bark pieces are soaked in water for a period. Use: A small quantity (e.g., 10 ml) of the infusion is traditionally used by some communities for daily consumption as a health ritual or tonic. Dosage: The dosage of traditional formulations like decoctions or powders should always be determined by a qualified Ayurvedic or traditional practitioner, as it varies based on the patient's age, constitution, the nature of the disease, and the specific part of the plant being used (e.g., stem bark vs. heartwood).
Conclusion
Soymida febrifuga (Mansarohini/Raktarohan) is an exceptionally important deciduous tree and a powerhouse of traditional medicine, deeply rooted in the ethnomedicinal practices of the Indian Subcontinent. Its bitter, astringent, and cooling properties, attributed to a rich profile of triterpenoids and tannins, render it effective across a spectrum of ailments, notably as a potent febrifuge, anti-diarrhoeal agent, and styptic. From treating malarial fevers and bleeding disorders to acting as an effective gargle for oral infections, its applications highlight its holistic value in traditional health care. However, the recognition of its medicinal and timber value has led to over-extraction, pushing the species towards a threatened status in some areas. Therefore, scientific validation of its traditional uses, coupled with concerted efforts towards conservation and sustainable cultivation, is crucial to ensure that this valuable Indian Redwood remains available for future generations to benefit from its profound healing potential.
