Herb's Introduction
Mallotus nudiflorus (L.) Kulju & Welzen, formerly and often still referred to by its synonym Trewia nudiflora L., is a large deciduous tree belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae. It is a significant medicinal plant native to the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and parts of China, including Nepal. In traditional systems of medicine like Ayurveda and local folk practices, various parts of the tree are valued for their therapeutic properties, particularly for conditions related to inflammation, digestion, and rheumatic disorders. The plant is noted for its potential in treating ailments such as gout, rheumatism, flatulence, and swellings, with modern research beginning to explore its anti-ulcerogenic, anti-inflammatory, and even antileukemic activities due to its rich composition of bioactive chemical constituents. It thrives primarily in wet tropical biomes, often found near riverbanks and in riparian habitats.
Name in Different Countries
The herb is known by a multitude of common and vernacular names across the regions where it grows, reflecting its wide distribution and cultural significance. The following names are sourced from various regions, particularly the Indian subcontinent where the plant is well-known: Region/Language Name/s Accepted Scientific Name Mallotus nudiflorus (L.) Kulju & Welzen Synonym Trewia nudiflora L. Common English Name False White Teak, Gutel, Horse Purslane Fever Tree Nepal gurel Sanskrit पिण्डारः (pindarah) Hindi पिण्डालु (pindalu), पिण्डार (pindar), Tumri, Bhilaura, Gambhar Bengali pitali, Pituli, Pithali Assamese bhelkol Marathi पेटारी (petari) Tamil ஆற்றுப்பூவரசு (arru-p-puvaracu), Attarasu, Nay Kumil, Karchal Maram, Tidimbi Malayalam നീര്ക്കടമ്പ് (niirkkatamp), പമ്പരക്കുമ്പിള് (pamparakkumpil), Malankumbil Telugu ఏరుపొణకు (eruponuku) Kannada ಕಾಡುಗುಮ್ಬಳ (kaadugumbala), ಕಾಡುಕಮ್ಚೀ (kaadukamchi) Oriya pithaliya Manipuri wangphop Urdu پنڐارا (pindara) Khasi dieng soh lyndot Lushai thing-chingel Garo arurong, bol diktak, bol khap Export to Sheets
Terminology
The core terminology associated with Mallotus nudiflorus revolves around its botanical classification, chemical constituents, and medicinal actions: Botanical Classification: It is a species within the family Euphorbiaceae (the Castor family), known for its diverse chemical compounds. Its accepted name is Mallotus nudiflorus, though it was historically and frequently recognized as Trewia nudiflora. The term nudiflorus in the botanical name means "naked flowers," referring to its flowering habit, often before or with the leaves. Chemical Constituents: The plant is rich in various secondary metabolites, which are responsible for its pharmacological activities. Key compounds identified include: Alkaloids: Notably nudiflorine, ricinidine, and a pyridine alkaloid, N-methyl-5-carboxamide-2-pyridone. Terpenoids/Steroids: Such as taraxerone and beta-sitosterol. Maytansinoid Compound: Trewiasine (TWS), which has shown antileukaemic activity. Other Bioactive Compounds: Tannins, saponins, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and reducing sugars are also present in different parts of the plant. Medicinal Terminology (Actions/Properties): Antibilious: Counteracting excessive bile or biliousness. Antiflatulent (Carminative): Relieving or preventing flatulence (gas) in the gastrointestinal tract. Bechic: Pertaining to or relieving a cough (cough-relieving). Anti-inflammatory: Reducing inflammation or swelling. Antirheumatic: Used to alleviate or prevent rheumatism. Antileukaemic: Having properties that fight against leukemia (a type of cancer). Anti-ulcerogenic: Preventing the formation of ulcers.
Availability
Mallotus nudiflorus is a widespread species throughout South and Southeast Asia. Its availability is predominantly in its native range: Geographical Distribution: It is native to the Indian Subcontinent (India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh), Southeast Asia (Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines), and Southern China. Habitat: It grows primarily as a riparian species, favoring moist, wet tropical biomes, often found near rivers and streams, and sometimes in lowland forests. Form of Availability: In its native range, it is available as a wild-growing tree. The wood is also used for implements. For medicinal purposes, the different parts—root, bark, leaves, and seeds—are collected and used fresh or dried by traditional practitioners and local communities. Extracts and isolated compounds, such as Trewiasine, are subjects of modern pharmaceutical research, indicating potential future availability in standardized medicinal forms. In Nepal, it is listed among the medicinal plants of the region.
External Look
Mallotus nudiflorus is a large, deciduous tree with distinct characteristics: Habit: It is a medium to large deciduous tree, capable of reaching up to 30 meters or more in height, with a diameter at breast height (dbh) up to 50–80 cm. It is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are borne on separate trees. Leaves: The leaves are typically opposite or subopposite, large, and broadly ovate (egg-shaped). They are often acuminate (tapering to a sharp point) at the apex and distinctly cordate (heart-shaped) or obtuse at the base. They can be glabrous (smooth) and bright green above. The leaves can be quite substantial in size, ranging from 6–21 cm long and 6.3–16.5 cm wide. The leaves are used as fodder. Flowers: The tree is deciduous, and flowering often occurs before or simultaneously with the appearance of new leaves. The flowers are small and usually light yellowish to greenish. Male flowers are laxly arranged in inflorescences (up to 16 cm long). Female flowers are borne in shorter inflorescences (1.5–10.5 cm long) and have prominent, long, plumose (feathery) stigmas. Fruit: The fruits are indehiscent (do not split open when ripe), drupaceous (fleshy, with a single stone/seed), and typically oblate (flattened sphere) to spheroid in shape, growing up to 35×45 mm when fresh. The fruit is hard and green, and in some areas, it is a preferred food for animals like the Indian rhinoceros. Bark: The bark is relatively soft.
Healing Properties
The various parts of Mallotus nudiflorus possess a range of healing properties attributed to their complex phytochemical profile: Anti-inflammatory and Antirheumatic: The plant, particularly the root and a decoction of the whole plant, is traditionally noted for its potent anti-inflammatory effects. It is used externally as a poultice and internally for conditions like gout and rheumatism. Gastrointestinal Health: The plant is considered antiflatulent or carminative, meaning it helps relieve gas. The root decoction is specifically used for this purpose and for general stomach problems. Furthermore, modern studies suggest the ethanolic extract of the leaves possesses significant anti-ulcerogenic effects, potentially by stimulating prostaglandin secretion or acting as a prostaglandin-like substance. Antibilious and Bechic: The whole plant is traditionally used to address biliousness (bile disorders) and as a bechic to relieve cough and phlegm. Antileukemic and Cytotoxicity: The seeds contain the potent maytansinoid compound trewiasine (TWS), and the plant extract has shown promising antileukemic activity in scientific studies, suggesting potential for cancer research. Antimicrobial and Antioxidant: Extracts from the plant have been shown in some studies to possess antimicrobial (antibacterial) and antioxidant properties, indicating a potential role in fighting infections and oxidative stress. Diuretic: The plant is also reported to have diuretic properties, promoting increased urination.
Advantages
The use of Mallotus nudiflorus in traditional medicine offers several advantages: Multi-Targeted Therapeutic Action: The presence of diverse compounds like alkaloids, terpenoids, and flavonoids gives the plant a wide spectrum of medicinal activity, addressing issues from inflammation and pain (rheumatism, gout) to digestive problems (flatulence, ulcers). Traditional Validation: It has a long history of safe use in various folk and traditional medical systems across South and Southeast Asia, including India and Nepal, providing a foundation of empirical evidence for its efficacy. Source of Novel Bioactive Compounds: The discovery of potent compounds like trewiasine, a maytansinoid with antileukemic potential, highlights its importance as a source for developing new pharmaceuticals, particularly for challenging diseases like cancer. Accessibility in Rural Areas: As a widely distributed and naturally occurring tree, its various parts are readily accessible to local communities and traditional healers in its native range, serving as a primary and affordable medicine. Ecological and Other Uses: Beyond medicine, the leaves serve as fodder, and the wood is used for implements, giving the tree multipurpose value in local ecosystems and economies.
Uses
Different parts of the Mallotus nudiflorus tree are utilized for various purposes: For Gout and Rheumatism: The root and a decoction of the whole plant are primary used to alleviate the pain and inflammation associated with gout and rheumatism. For Swellings and Inflammation: A paste or poultice prepared from the root or leaves is applied externally to reduce general swellings, including those from rheumatic afflictions. For Digestive Issues: A decoction of the root is taken internally to relieve flatulence (carminative effect) and other stomach problems. The leaf extract has shown potential for treating gastric ulcers. For Bile and Phlegm: The whole plant is traditionally used to remedy disorders of the bile and phlegm (mucus). Wound Healing: The fruit pulp and leaf paste are reported to be used topically to cure wounds. Dental Issues: In some regions, a paste of crushed bark is used for dental caries (tooth decay). Other Uses: The wood is soft but used for making drums and farm implements. The leaves are used as animal fodder.
Using way
The methods of using Mallotus nudiflorus in traditional medicine are typically simple preparations applied internally or externally: Decoction (Internal Use): Part Used: Usually the root or the whole plant. Preparation: The plant material is boiled in water for a period to extract the active compounds. Application: The strained liquid (decoction) is drunk to treat flatulence, rheumatic discomfort, and as an antibilious and bechic remedy. Poultice/Paste (External Use): Part Used: The root, leaves, or bark. Preparation: The plant part is crushed and ground, sometimes with a minimal amount of water, to form a thick paste. Application: The paste or poultice is directly applied externally to affected joints or areas to reduce gout, rheumatic pain, and general swellings. Juice/Extracts: Specific extracts, such as aqueous or ethanolic extracts from the leaves, are the forms being studied in modern research for activities like anti-ulcerogenic and anti-inflammatory effects. Note on Usage: As with any herbal medicine, it is crucial to use the correct part of the plant, ensure correct identification, and adhere to appropriate preparation methods and dosages as guided by experienced traditional practitioners or qualified healthcare professionals. The presence of potent compounds like trewiasine also underscores the need for careful and guided usage.
Conclusion
Mallotus nudiflorus, or False White Teak, stands as a valuable medicinal tree, firmly rooted in the traditional healing systems of South and Southeast Asia, particularly in regions like Nepal. Its rich ethnobotanical history points to its reliable use as an antirheumatic, anti-inflammatory, and antiflatulent agent, with the root, leaves, and bark forming the cornerstone of traditional remedies for conditions such as gout, rheumatism, and digestive issues. The contemporary scientific validation of its anti-ulcerogenic and intriguing antileukemic properties (due to the compound trewiasine) further elevates its status from a mere folk remedy to a subject of significant pharmacological research. With its wide array of bioactive compounds, Mallotus nudiflorus holds immense potential for the development of new, naturally derived therapeutic agents, cementing its importance both in traditional health practices and in the future of modern drug discovery. Responsible harvesting and sustained research will be key to maximizing the benefits of this versatile medicinal plant.
