Babul

Botanical Name: Acacia Nilotica

Indian Name: Kikar

Origin, Distribution and Composition

Acacia, popularly known as babul, is a large tree, upto 14

metres high, with thorns on its branches. It has darkish grey
bark and yellow flowers in spherical heads.

Babul tree is indigenous to Sind in Pakistan. It occurs wild in

India and tropical Africa. It is planted for its bark. The tree
yields a gum, known as babul gum. The bark of babul tree
contains tannin and gallic acid. The leaves and fruits of the
tree also contain tannin and gallic acid.

Healing Power and Curative Properties

The leaves, the bark., the pods and the gum of the Babul have medicinal virtues. The leaves and the bark are useful
in arresting secretion or bleeding. The pods help remove catarrhal matter and phlegm from the bronchial tubes. The
gum allays any irritation of the skin and soothes the inflamed membranes of the pharynx, alimentary canal and
genito-urinary organs.

Diarrhoea

The various parts of babul tree are useful in diarrhoea of ordinary intensity. A mixture of equal parts of the tender
leaves with white and black cumin seeds (zeera) can be administered in doses of 12 grams, thrice daily. An infusion
made of the bark of the tree may also be taken thrice daily for the same purpose. The gum, used either in decoction
or in syrup, is an effective medicine for diarrhoea.

Teeth Disorders

Chewing of fresh bark of this tree daily, helps strengthen loose teeth and arrest any bleeding from the gums. Dirty
teeth can be cleaned effectively by brushing them with a' powder in which 60 grams of charcoal of  babulwood, 24
grams of roasted alum and 12 grams of rock salt have been included.

Eczema

The bark of babul tree is useful in the treatment of eczema. About 25 grams each of this bark and the mango bark
should be boiled in about I litre of water and the vapours allowed to foment the affected part. After the fomentation,
the affected pan should be anointed with ghee.

Tonsilitis

A decoction of the bark, mixed with rock salt, should be used as a gargle in treating tonsilitis.

Conjunctivitis
The leaves of babul tree are effective in the treatment of conjuctivitis. The leaves, ground to a paste, should be
applied on the affected eyes at night, supported by a bandage which should be untied the next morning. This
removes pain and redness.

Epiphora

The leaves are beneficial in treating epiphora- that is watering of the eyes, in which tears flow onto the cheeks due to
abnormality of the tear drainage system. About 250 grams of leaves should be boiled in one and a quarter litre of
water until only a quarter litre of water is left. This should then be filtered and kept in a well-corked botte. The eye-lids
should be painted morning and evening with this liquid.

Leucorrhoea

The bark of the tree is useful in leucorrhoea. Its decoction should be used as a vaginal douche for treating this
disorder.

Other Uses

Sprematorrhoea: Fresh pods of babul tree are effective in sexual disorders like spermatorrhoea, frequent night
discharges, loss of viscidity of the semen and premature ejaculation. In Ayurveda, a preparation made from the pods
is considered highly beneficial in treating these disorders. It is prepared thus: about I to 1.5 metres of coarse cloth is
spread evenly and its corners secured. The fresh pods of Babul tree are pounded and their juice squeezed. This
fresh juice is pasted on the cloth every morning and evening for at least 20 days until a 5-6 centimetres thick layer is
formed on it. A small piece of this cloth weighing 5 to 9 grams is cut and boiled in a litre of cow's milk which is taken
after adding brown sugar to taste. It is also said to increase the power of retention of the semen. Even extremely
debilitated patients suffering from the bad consequences of masturbation are believed to get rejuvenated by its use
and attain normal retentive power. It improves the viscidity of the semen and is an excellent medicine for
spermatorrhoea.

Another preparation made from the pods is also a very effective remedy for spermatorrhoea. Tender, seedless pods
are dried in shade, powdered and mixed with an equal weight of brown sugar. Six grams of this mixture may be taken
with milk in the morning.

Madhuca

Botanical Name : Madhuca indica

Indian Name : Mahua

Origin, Distribution and Composition

Madhuca, also known as butter tree, is a large deciduous

tree, 20 metres in height with a spreading top. It has thick
leathery leaves and small, fleshy, pale or dull white musk-
scented flowers in dusters near the end of branches. Its fruits
are fleshy, greenish" with brown and shining seeds.

The bark, Ieaves, flowers and seeds of the tree constitute the drug. The trade name, madhuca, is based on the
Sanskrit name of the plant.

The tree is indigenous to the Central India. It is common in sub-mountainous regions of the Himalayas, and is, at
certain places, a chief constituent of the forest vegetation.
The leaves of the tree contain alkaloid glucosidic saponin. The seeds contain a fatty oil. Recently a new sapogenin
and basic acid have also been isolated from the seeds.

Healing Power and Curative Properties

Madhuca is useful in arresting secretions or bleeding becalJ5( of its tannin content. The bark of the tree is an
astringent and tonic. The flowers promote the removal of catarrhal matter and phlegm from the bronchial tubes. They
also exercise a soothing! effect on the skin and mucous membranes. A spirit prepared from the flowers is considered
to be nutritive and a tonic.

Bronchitis

The flowers of the tree are effective in bronchitis and coughs. They should be given in doses of 30 grams with 250 n!
of milk.

Rheumatism

A decoction of the bark can be given internally in rheumatic diseases. The oil extracted from the seeds can also be
applied locally on the affected area.

Diabetes

A decoction of the bark can also be taken in diabetes mellitus with beneficial results.

Piles

Madhuca oil extracted from the seeds has laxative properties. It helps cure piles by relieving chronic constipation.

Orchitis

Vapours of boiling madhuca leaves are useful in relieving the pain of orchitis or the inflammation of testicles.

Problem of Breast Milk Secretion

Flowers of the tree are effective in increasing the flow d milk in nursing mothers. The seeds also have a similar
propei1.

Bleeding Gums

A lotion is made by mixing 4 ml of the liquid extract of the bark of the madhuca tree with 300 ml of water is an
exccellent gargle for bleeding and spongy gums.

Tonsilitis

This lotion can also be used as a gargle in the treatment of acute and chronic tonsilitis and pharyngitis.

Eczema

The leaves of madhuca are effective in the treatment of eczema. The leaves, smeared with sesame oil, warmed over
a fire and bandaged on the affected parts provide relief. They should be changed after every 3 to 4 hours.
Skin Disorders

The ash of the leaves, mixed with ghee, is often used as a dressing for burns and scalds in the indigenous system of
medicine. For the cure of itching, a paste of the bark is applied locally. The oil extracted from the seeds can also be
applied locally in skin diseases.

Other Uses

The madhuca tree is a very important source of food for the Gonds and other tribes in Central and Western India. The
flowers are eaten raw or cooked. They are also used for making alcohol, vinegar, syrups and jams. Madhuca oil is
largely used in the manufacture of soaps, besides cooking.