A tree often planted on road sides for shades, the Indian beech tree possesses medicinal properties, may it be its leaves, roots, bark, fruit, seeds and flowers. There are only a few other trees like this which Ayurveda depends on in its fight against diseases.

The Indian beech is medicine from root to leaf. It is an essential ingredient in several formulations to treat a variety of diseases such as psoriasis, gastro diseases, rheumatism and blood disorders. They are even used as tooth brush.

The medicinal tree finds mention in both Charaka Samhita and Susrutha Samhita, the Ayurveda classics. While the former classifies it as antipruritic, the latter describes it as an effective drug used against worms, skin diseases, diabetes and problems related to the head. No wonder the use and reference to the Indian beech dates back to the Vedic period with the Rig Veda and Adharva Veda having references about the magic tree.

The medium-sized tree – which grows to a height of 18 meters and 1.5 meters in girth – grows easily in any tropical climate and is generally seen near hilly areas, mainly near water resources. It sheds leaves once or twice a year, after which new golden yellow leaves cover the tree like a crown. Fragrant, lilac or white-tinged with pink or violet flowers appear in the axils of the leaves in May-June. Fruits are pod-disc shaped with a single seed inside.

Chemical constituents

The seed contains 27 per cent bitter-tasting volatile oil which contains chemical constituents such as karanmjin, pongamin and glabrin. These are useful in formulations to treat skin diseases. Pongapin, isolongocarpin and ovalitnone are some of the other constituents. The bark of Indian beech tree has bitter alkaloids and chemicals which act against skin diseases.

Medicinal effects

From its root to its bark, leaves, seed and oil, every part of Indian beech has a therapeutic quality. Based on its pharmacological properties, Indian beech guards the body against many diseases– eczema, scabies, leprosy, ulcers, tumours, piles, and enlargement of spleen, vaginal and urinary discharges.

Formulation: Used in paste form or as juices, decoction and oil.

Treatments:

Skin diseases: Applying its seeds in paste form is very effective in treating skin ulcers. In case of chronic skin ulcers, paste of the leaves is used. It’s effective against allergic skin diseases like urticarial. The seed oil is used in cutaneous affections, herpes and scabies. Juice of its roots is also used to treat infected wounds. The decoction obtained by mixing leaves of the Indian beech, root of chithraka and saindhava with buttermilk is also good for skin issues.

Orthopaedic conditions: Medicated oil prepared with Indian beech seeds are used to treat orthopaedic conditions known as Mamabhighata. Medicated coconut oil along with the bar of the Indian beech tree is used to heal external injuries like sprain and fractures.

Arthritis: Apply seed oil. Take a bath in water boiled with Indian beech leaf.

Digestive disorders: Take Indian beech leaves in the form of juice, salad or chutney.

Blood purification: Decoctions and alcoholic preparations called arishtas and asavas containing Indian beech help purify blood.

Fistula: Juice of the root is used for closing fistulous sores and cleaning foul ulcers.

Diabetes: Its flowers are used in many formulations to treat diabetes.

Cough: The powder of the seeds is used in medicines for whooping and irritating coughs of children.

Modern studies have proved that the leaves of Pongamia pinnata possess marked antinociceptie as well as antipyretic activities and thus scientifically validated its use in the treatment of pain and pyretic disorders.

In earlier times, Indian beach sticks were used as toothbrush as it satisfies the three tastes ideal for cleaning teeth – pungent, bitter and astringent.

Method of Cultivation

Indian beech is as non-fussy tree and grows in any tropical climate/ region. It requires no particular care, but only sufficient sunlight. Seeds and twigs are used for reproduction. An Indian beech in your backyard will give you relief from diseases apart from shades that protect you from the scorching sunlight.

Latin Name: Pongamia pinnata

Family: FABACEA

Names in other languages

Hindi : Dithouri

English: Indian Beech

Malayalam: Ungu

(The author S Sreelakshmi is an Ayurveda Doctor presently practising abroad. She can be contacted at ssrelakshmi@gmail.com)