Pithecellobium dulce (Fabaceae) Manila Tamarind

Pithecellobium dulce (Manila Tamarind)

1. Taxonomic insights

Species: Pithecellobium dulce

Family: Fabaceae

Genus: Pithecellobium

Related Herbs from the same family:

· Glycyrrhiza glabra (Yashtimadhu): A premier rejuvenative and demulcent herb used for respiratory and digestive health.

· Senna auriculata (Avartaki): A key Ayurvedic herb for diabetes and skin diseases.

· Saraca asoca (Ashoka): The paramount uterine tonic in Ayurveda.

The Fabaceae family is renowned for its diverse medicinal plants, ranging from nutritive beans to potent therapeutic agents like these.

2. Common Names:

Scientific Name: Pithecellobium dulce | English: Manila Tamarind, Madras Thorn, Sweet Inga | Sanskrit: Vilayati Chinch, Durgandha | Hindi: Jungal Jalebi, Vilayati Imli | Tamil: Kodukkapuli | Telugu: Seema Chintakaya | Kannada: Seeme Hunase | Malayalam: Kodukapuli | Marathi: Vilayati Chinch | Bengali: Jangal Jalebi | Spanish: Guámochil | French: Pois doux |

3. Medicinal Uses:

Astringent,Anti-inflammatory, Antipyretic (fever-reducing), Hemostatic (stops bleeding), Antidiabetic, Antioxidant.

Medicinal Parts:

The most commonly used parts are the bark,leaves, seeds, and fruit pulp.

· Bark: Used for its astringent and anti-inflammatory properties.

· Leaves: Applied externally for inflammation and used in decoctions.

· Seeds: Sometimes used in traditional medicine.

· Fruit Pulp: Eaten, though the seeds are discarded.

4. Phytochemicals specific to the plant and their action.

Tannins and Flavonoids: These compounds are responsible for the Astringent and Antioxidant actions, helping to tighten tissues and combat oxidative stress.

Triterpenoid Saponins: Contribute to the Anti-inflammatory and potential Antidiabetic effects.

Alkaloids (Pithecolobine): Specific alkaloids found in the bark and leaves may contribute to its hemostatic and antipyretic properties.

5. Traditional and Ethnobotanical uses covering the Medicinal uses.

Vrana (Wounds) & Raktapitta (Bleeding Disorders)

Formulation: Bark or leaf paste.

Preparation & Use: A paste made from the fresh bark or leaves is applied directly to wounds, ulcers, and inflamed areas to stop bleeding, reduce swelling, and promote healing.

Reasoning: The high tannin content provides a strong astringent effect, contracting blood vessels and tissues to stop bleeding and protect the wound.

Jwara (Fever)

Formulation: Bark decoction.

Preparation & Use: A decoction made from the bark is consumed to help reduce fever, particularly in traditional folk medicine.

Reasoning: The bark's antipyretic properties are attributed to its phytochemicals that may help reset the body's thermostat during a fever.

Madhumeha (Diabetes)

Formulation: Leaf extract or decoction.

Preparation & Use: In some traditional systems, a decoction of the leaves is used to help manage blood sugar levels.

Reasoning: The plant's extracts have shown hypoglycemic activity in studies, potentially due to improved insulin sensitivity or glucose metabolism.

6. Healing recipes, Teas, Decoctions and Culinary use (if any):

The fruit pulp is the primary culinary part, eaten raw. It has a sweet-and-sour taste and is often consumed as a snack.

Astringent Bark Decoction for Gargle

Purpose: For sore throat, mouth ulcers, or gum inflammation.

Preparation & Use:

· Boil a handful of crushed bark in 2 cups of water for 10-15 minutes.

· Strain and let it cool.

· Use as a gargle 2-3 times a day. Do not swallow.

Topical Leaf Poultice for Inflammation

Purpose: To reduce joint pain or skin inflammation.

Preparation & Use:

· Crush a handful of fresh leaves into a paste.

· Apply directly to the affected area and leave on for 20-30 minutes before washing off.

7. Disclaimer:

The fruit pulp ofPithecellobium dulce is generally considered safe to eat. However, the medicinal use of the bark, leaves, and seeds should be approached with caution. Its strong astringent properties may not be suitable for everyone. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid medicinal use. Consultation with a healthcare professional is advised before using it for therapeutic purposes. This information is for educational purposes only.

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

· Indian Medicinal Plants by K.S. Manilal

· Wealth of India (Raw Materials) by CSIR

· Ethnobotany of India Series

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

1. Acacia nilotica (Babool)

· Species: Acacia nilotica | Family: Fabaceae | Genus: Acacia

· Similarities: Both are members of the Fabaceae family with very high tannin content, making them powerful astringents used for wound healing, gum diseases, and diarrhea.

2. Tamarindus indica (Imli)

· Species: Tamarindus indica | Family: Fabaceae | Genus: Tamarindus

· Similarities: Both produce a fruit with a sweet-and-sour pulp. While Tamarind is more cooling and laxative, the comparison lies in their culinary use as souring agents and their shared family.

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