Hildegardia populifolia (Malvaceae)- Endangered species

Hildegardia populifolia (Poplar Sterculia) Critically Endangered

1. Taxonomic insights

Species: Hildegardia populifolia

Family: Malvaceae

Genus: Hildegardia

The Malvaceae family is rich in plants known for their mucilaginous, demulcent, and nutritive properties, many of which serve as important folk and Ayurvedic medicines.

Related Herbs from the same family:

• Gossypium herbaceum (Karpasa): Cotton plant, whose root bark and seeds are used in Ayurveda for fertility support and as a nutritive tonic.

• Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Japa): The flowers are used as a hair tonic and for menstrual disorders.

• Sida cordifolia (Bala): A quintessential Balya (strength-giving) herb used for nervous disorders, fatigue, and as a rejuvenative.

• Thespesia populnea (Parisha/Portia Tree): The bark, flowers, and fruits are used for skin diseases, diabetes, and as an anti-inflammatory.

2. Common Names: This is a rare and critically endangered plant. Not many specimens are available

Scientific Name: Hildegardia populifolia | English: Poplar Sterculia | Tamil: Malaipuvarasu |Telugu: Galibuda, Delibuda |

3. Medicinal Uses:Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Demulcent, Wound Healing, Astringent, Mild Febrifuge.

Medicinal Parts:The bark and leaves are the primary parts used in traditional medicine.

• Bark: Used for its anti-inflammatory and astringent properties, often in decoctions.

• Leaves: Applied topically as a poultice for wounds and inflammation.

4. Phytochemicals specific to the plant and their action.

Flavonoids (Quercetin, Kaempferol derivatives): These compounds are responsible for the plant's significant Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory actions, helping to neutralize free radicals and reduce swelling.

Tannins: Provide Astringent properties, which help contract tissues and are useful in wound healing and topically for skin tightening.

Sterols (β-Sitosterol): A common phytosterol with documented Anti-inflammatory activity, contributing to the plant's therapeutic effects.

Phenolic Acids: Enhance the overall Antioxidant capacity and support the anti-inflammatory action.

5. Traditional and Ethnobotanical uses covering the Medicinal uses.

Vrana (Wounds) & Twak Vikara (Skin Diseases)

Formulation: Leaf poultice or bark paste.

Preparation & Use: The fresh leaves are crushed and applied directly as a poultice to wounds, boils, and skin ulcers. A paste made from the bark is also used similarly to promote healing and reduce infection.

Reasoning: The anti-inflammatory and astringent properties of the tannins and flavonoids help cleanse the wound, reduce swelling, and promote tissue contraction for faster healing.

Shotha (Inflammation) & Sandhivata (Joint Disorders)

Formulation: Bark decoction.

Preparation & Use: A decoction made from the bark is consumed orally to reduce internal inflammation, including joint pain and rheumatic conditions.

Reasoning: The systemic anti-inflammatory action of the phytochemicals, particularly β-sitosterol and flavonoids, helps modulate the body's inflammatory response.

Jwara (Fever)

Formulation: Mild decoction of bark or leaves.

Preparation & Use: A light decoction is used in folk medicine to help reduce fever, likely due to its anti-inflammatory and potential antipyretic effects.

Reasoning: The plant's properties help normalize body temperature, possibly by addressing the underlying inflammatory processes that cause fever.

Disclaimer:Hildegardia populifolia is not a major herb in classical Ayurvedic pharmacopoeias, and its modern pharmacological study is limited.

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8. Reference Books, Books for In-depth Study:

• Indian Medicinal Plants by K.S. Manilal

• Wealth of India (Raw Materials) by CSIR

• Ethnobotany of South India and regional floras (e.g., Flora of Tamil Nadu).

• Journal articles on the phytochemistry of the Hildegardia genus.

9. Further study: Plants that might interest you due to similar medicinal properties

1. Thespesia populnea (Parisha/Portia Tree)

• Species: Thespesia populnea | Family: Malvaceae | Genus: Thespesia

• Similarities: A coastal tree from the same family with very similar applications. Its bark, leaves, and flowers are used for skin inflammations, wounds, and as an anti-inflammatory wash. Both share a habitat and a role in traditional wound care.

2. Sida rhombifolia (Atibala)

• Species: Sida rhombifolia | Family: Malvaceae | Genus: Sida

• Similarities: A closely related genus within the Malvaceae family, Sida species (like Bala and Atibala) are renowned for their wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, and strength-giving properties. They share the demulcent and soothing qualities characteristic of the mallow family.

3. Symplocos racemosa (Lodhra)

• Species: Symplocos racemosa | Family: Symplocaceae | Genus: Symplocos

• Similarities: While from a different family, Lodhra is a classic Ayurvedic astringent and wound-healing herb specifically for mucosal tissues and skin. It shares the strong astringent (tannin-based) and anti-inflammatory actions used for healing wounds and reducing secretions.

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