Herb's Introduction
Spondias pinnata (L. f.) Kurz, commonly known as Wild Mango or Indian Hog Plum, is a significant deciduous tree belonging to the family Anacardiaceae. Native to the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and China, it thrives in evergreen to moist deciduous forests. It is an important plant in various traditional medicinal systems like Ayurveda, Unani, and Sidha, where almost every part of the tree—including the bark, leaves, fruits, and roots—is utilized for its diverse therapeutic properties. The plant is considered an important source of natural antioxidants and various essential nutrients, making it highly valued both as a food source and a medicinal agent. Its traditional uses are now being supported by modern research highlighting its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic potential.
Name in Different Countries
Scientific Name: Spondias pinnata (L. f.) Kurz Family: Anacardiaceae Synonyms: Mangifera pinnata L. f., Spondias mangifera Willd. (often used synonymously) Common English Names: Wild Mango, Indian Hog Plum, Andaman mombin, Indian mombin, Hog-plum. Ayurvedic Name: Amrataka (Amraata, Amraatakah) Nepali: Amaro (अमारो) Hindi: Ambara (अम्बाड़ा), Amra (अमरा) Bengali: Aamada (আমড়া), Aamrata (আম্রাত) Tamil: Kincam (கிஞ்சம்) Marathi: Ambada (अंबाडा) Chinese: 木个 (Mù gè) Portuguese: Ambares (used as a common name in some regions)
Terminology
The primary medicinal terms associated with Spondias pinnata relate to its traditional and studied properties: Astringent: A key property of the bark, leaves, and fruits, which means it causes the contraction of body tissues, useful in treating diarrhea and dysentery. Antiscorbutic: The fruit is known for this property, meaning it helps prevent or cure scurvy, due to its high Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) content. Antidysenteric / Antidiarrheal: Used traditionally to treat dysentery and diarrhea, a use supported by its astringent nature. Antioxidant: A major property attributed to the leaves and fruits, indicating the presence of compounds like flavonoids and phenolics that protect cells from oxidative stress. Anti-inflammatory / Antiarthritic: The bark paste is applied topically to soothe painful and swollen joints, indicating an anti-inflammatory action. Hepatoprotective: Some studies suggest the bark extracts may protect the liver. Hypoglycemic / Antidiabetic: Leaves and bark extracts have been studied for their potential to lower blood sugar levels.
Availability
Spondias pinnata is a wild deciduous tree indigenous to a wide geographical range, including the Indian Subcontinent, China (southern regions), and Malesia. Habitat: It is generally found in lowlands and hill forests, thriving in warm sub-tropical climates. In the Himalayas, it is found at altitudes up to 550-1500 meters. In Nepal: It is locally known as 'Amara' and is found in the lowlands and hill forests of the country, such as in the Kaski district. Availability of Parts: Fruits: Available seasonally, generally from June till September. Ripe fruits are eaten fresh or used for pickles, chutney, and beverages. Leaves, Bark, and Root: Available throughout the year, harvested as needed for traditional medicinal preparations. Natural populations are reportedly shrinking in some areas, emphasizing the need for documented cultivation and conservation.
External Look
Tree: A small to medium-sized, deciduous tree, typically growing to about 10–20 meters tall. Branchlets are yellowish-brown and glabrous (smooth). The tree may remain leafless for an extended period during the dry season. Bark: Dark to light brown, varying from smooth to cracked, often with a pink/red slash that may have a resinous smell. The bark is thick and aromatic. Leaves: Large, odd-pinnately compound, 30–40 cm long, with 5 to 11 (or 7–13) opposite to alternate leaflets. The leaflet blades are ovate-oblong to elliptic-oblong, with a cuneate to rounded, often oblique base, and an acuminate apex. They are papery and glabrous. They are aromatic and acidulous (slightly sour). Flowers: Small, white, or yellowish/orange, borne in large terminal panicles, up to 25-35 cm long, on older branches and the trunk. The tree is dioecious (male and female flowers on separate plants). Fruit: A bright yellow, apiculate (ending abruptly in a small point), ellipsoid drupe, measuring about 3.5−5×2.5−3.5 cm at maturity. The fruit has an edible, juicy, and acidulous pulp with a hard, fibrous stone (endocarp) containing usually 2 or 3 seeds. Unripe fruits are acidic, while ripe ones are sweet-scented and tasty.
Healing Properties
Digestive Health: The bark, leaves, and fruits are historically used for their astringent and antidysenteric properties, effective in treating diarrhea, dysentery, and stomachache. The bark infusion or juice is particularly noted for this use. The fruit is also an effective remedy for bilious dyspepsia (indigestion). Blood Sugar Regulation: Recent scientific studies, including research conducted in Nepal, have confirmed the hypoglycemic (blood sugar lowering) potential of the leaves and bark extracts, supporting its traditional use in managing diabetes. Anti-inflammatory and Rheumatism: A paste of the stem bark is externally applied as a rubefacient (causing redness of the skin) to relieve articular and muscular rheumatism and painful, swollen joints. Antioxidant and General Tonic: The fruits and leaves are rich in phenolic compounds, flavonoids (like quercetin and rutin), and Vitamin C, exhibiting strong antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity. This supports its traditional use as a blood purifier, tonic, and to fight against oxidative stress-related diseases. Scurvy and Anemia: Due to the high Vitamin C content, the fruit is a valuable antiscorbutic agent. Decoctions or infusions of the bark and wood are traditionally used in treating anemia. Wounds and Skin Diseases: The bark juice is applied externally to treat ringworm and other skin diseases. The plant latex is also applied to wounds and cuts in some traditional practices. Gynecological Disorders: The root is traditionally used for regulating menstruation, and a decoction of the bark and wood is used in treating conditions like leucorrhoea and gonorrhea.
Advantages
Multi-purpose Use: Almost all parts of the tree (bark, leaves, fruits, root, gum) offer medicinal benefits, making it a "Kalpavruksha" (wish-fulfilling tree) in traditional wisdom. Rich Nutrient Profile: The fruit provides essential nutrients and high energy content, including significant levels of Vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, and natural antioxidants, making it a valuable nutritional supplement. Validated Traditional Uses: Many of its traditional uses, particularly the anti-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic properties, are being validated by modern phytochemical and pharmacological research. Edible and Culinary Use: The fruit is widely consumed, fresh or pickled, which naturally integrates its health benefits into the daily diet of local communities. The leaves are also used for flavouring and as a source of tenderizing agents. Availability in Nepal: As a native species, it is readily available and integrated into the local ethnobotanical knowledge of the Nepali community, particularly in the hilly regions.
Uses
Plant Part Primary Traditional and Modern Uses Fruit (Ripe) Antiscorbutic, astringent, tonic, blood purifier, remedy for bilious dyspepsia, eaten fresh or made into pickles/chutney. Fruit (Unripe) Astringent, sour, used for pickle making, applied as a paste for sprains/rheumatism, antidote against poison arrows. Bark Astringent, antiemetic (anti-vomiting), tonic, refrigerant, used for diarrhea, dysentery, stomach ache, arthritis, and skin diseases (paste for rheumatism). Leaves Aromatic, astringent, acidic, juice used in earache, decoction for diarrhea, dysentery, and as an ingredient in herbal beverages for heart burn and diabetes. Root Used for regulating menstruation, used for gonorrhea. Gum (Sap) Demulcent, used for bronchitis, ulcers, and skin diseases. Wood Soft and light, used for making packing cases, matches, and physician's spatulas. Export to Sheets
Using way
The methods of using Spondias pinnata vary by the plant part and the ailment being treated: For Diarrhea and Dysentery: Bark Decoction/Juice: A decoction (boiled extract) of the bark is prepared and taken orally in measured doses (e.g., 40-60 ml). Alternatively, the bark juice or infusion is consumed. Leaves/Bark Infusion: Infusions made from the stem bark or powdered, dried leaves can also be used. For Rheumatism and Joint Pain: Bark Paste: A paste of the stem bark is prepared, often by grinding with water or another medium, and applied topically over the painful joints or areas affected by sprains. For Earache: Leaf Juice: Fresh juice extracted from the leaves is applied or dropped directly into the ear. For Anorexia, Nausea, and Digestive Issues (Anorexia, Nausea): Fruit Juice: Fresh juice of the fruit (or consumption of the fruit itself) is used to improve taste and relieve anorexia or nausea. For Blood Sugar Regulation: Leaf/Bark Extract: In research settings and increasingly in traditional practice, extracts (e.g., hydroethanolic or methanolic extracts) of the leaves or bark are prepared and administered orally. Note: Any medicinal use, particularly internal consumption or for chronic conditions like diabetes, should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified healthcare practitioner or an experienced traditional healer.
Conclusion
Spondias pinnata (Wild Mango or Amaro) stands as a highly valued, multi-utility medicinal plant indigenous to Southeast Asia and the Indian Subcontinent, including Nepal. Its importance spans across traditional health systems, culinary uses, and modern pharmaceutical research. The plant is rich in beneficial phytochemicals, particularly powerful antioxidants like flavonoids and phenolic compounds, which underlie its broad spectrum of therapeutic actions. Its established traditional uses for common ailments like diarrhea, dysentery, and rheumatism are increasingly being scientifically validated, particularly its promising role as a source of natural antidiabetic agents. The continuous research on its pharmacological properties underscores its potential for developing new therapeutic agents. Given its decreasing natural population, it is imperative to document and conserve the ethnobotanical knowledge and promote sustainable cultivation of this valuable "Kalpavruksha."
