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Ailanthus excelsa - Aralu, Indian tree of heaven

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Ailanthus excelsa

Ailanthus excelsa commonly known as tree of heaven, is a large deciduous tree found in India and Sri Lanka. In Tamil, it is also known as Pi-Nari Maram due to its disagreeable odour.There are many related species in Ailanthus.

Uses

Dropsy, Sore throat, Chronic dysentery, Asthama, Swellings, Haemorrhoid, Jaundice, Cold, Cough, Catarrh, Anorexia, Flatulence, Abdominal discomfort, Eczema, Dental caries, Bleeding guns, Fever, Eye diseases, Piles, Migraines[1]

Parts Used

Leaves, Bark, Roots[2].

Chemical Composition

Ailanthione, glaucarubinone and a mixture of glaucarubol 15-isovalerate and Dehydroglaucarubol, Isovalerate were found to be the compounds responsible for the antitumor and cytotoxic activities of extracts of the root bark of Ailanthus Excelsa.[3]

Common names

Language Common name
Kannada Dodabevu, Mahanimba
Hindi Mahanimb, Maharukh
Malayalam Mattipongilyam, Peru, Perumaram
Tamil Perumaram, Perumaruntu
Telugu Pedda, Peddamandu, Peddamanu
Marathi NA
Gujarathi NA
Punjabi NA
Kashmiri NA
Sanskrit Aralu, Araluka, Araluvrksa
English Indian Tree of Heaven, Coramandel ailanto

[2]

Properties

Reference: Dravya - Substance, Rasa - Taste, Guna - Qualities, Veerya - Potency, Vipaka - Post-digesion effect, Karma - Pharmacological activity, Prabhava - Therepeutics.

Dravya

Rasa

Tikta, Kashaya

Guna

Lagu, Ruksha

Veerya

Sheeta

Vipaka

Katu

Karma

Tridoshahaara

Prabhava

Habit

Deciduous tree

Identification

Leaf

Kind Shape Feature
Pinnate Oblong-lanceolate Leaflets are subopposite, leaf Apex is Acuminate, leaf Base is Oblique and leaf Margin is irregularly toothed-sublobate

.[4]

Flower

Type Size Color and composition Stamen More information
Terminal panicles 0.75 cm. long and 1 cm Cream coloured 8-10 Flowering from January-March

Fruit

Type Size Mass Appearance Seeds More information
Samara 5 x 1.3 cm Prominently nerved, membranous Seed 1 Fruiting from January-March

Other features

List of Ayurvedic medicine in which the herb is used

[5]

Where to get the saplings

Mode of Propagation

Seeds.

How to plant/cultivate

Seeds should be sown in well draining porous media, either in raised nursery beds or polybags. After broadcasting the seeds, they should be covered with a thin layer of sand and kept moist but not excessively. Germination starts 8-14 days later. A plant of the semi-arid to wet tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 900 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 40°c, but can tolerate 4 - 47°c[6]

Commonly seen growing in areas

Field border, Dry Deciduous forest.

Photo Gallery

References

  1. Kappathagudda Medicinal Plants of Gadag Book Page no: 49
  2. 2.0 2.1 ”Karnataka Medicinal Plants Volume-3” by Dr.M. R. Gurudeva, Page No.597, Published by Divyachandra Prakashana, #6/7, Kaalika Soudha, Balepete cross, Bengaluru
  3. Journal Paper from National Library of Medicine - Potential anticancer agents vi. Constituents of Ailanthus excelsa (Simaroubaceae)
  4. Morphology
  5. Ayurvedic preparations
  6. Cultivation Details

External Links