Description

Sage-leaved alangium, is a flowering plant in the Cornaceae family. The root and berry of alangium, which grows to a height of 3 m to 10 m, are used medicinally in Ayurveda. Bark yellowish brown. Small deciduous tree. Ayurvedic medicine for papaya poisoning. Thorny tree. The wood is not thickened. Endemic to Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Sri Lanka. Fleshy round fruits. Seeds are distributed by birds, monkeys and antelopes. The skin contains an ingredient called allergen. Angoladi oil is an oil made by adding angoladi. The wood has weight and firmness. Light black on the heart. Used for rheumatism and osteoporosis. The leaves and wood are used as pesticides. The leaves are found to be used as food. Sage-leaved alangium is a small, bushy tree offering a dense canopy with a short trunk. It bears fragrant white flowers which have green buds. The petals of the flower typically curl backwards exposing the multiple stamens and a linear Stigma distinctly sticking out. The fruits are spherical berry like and red in color. The prominent remains of the calyx can be seen distinctly with a white color. The leaves are simple, alternate, oblong-lanceolate. The stunted branches end up with sharp ends making it look like thorns. In India, this tree is mostly found near sandy riverine tracts and road cuttings. This tree flowers between February and April and Fruits between March and May just in time before the rainy season starts. It sheds it leaves completely when it flowers and leaves start coming when it begins to fruit. It is considered as a holy tree and temples have been built near it.

Characteristics:

Bark yellowish brown. Small deciduous tree. Ayurvedic medicine for papaya poisoning. Thorny tree. The wood is not thickened. Endemic to Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Sri Lanka. Fleshy round fruits. Seeds are distributed by birds, monkeys and antelopes. The skin contains an ingredient called allergen. Angoladi oil is an oil made by adding angoladi. The wood has weight and firmness. Light black on the heart. Used for rheumatism and osteoporosis. The leaves and wood are often used as pesticides. The leaves are found to be used as food.

Uses:

In Ayurveda the roots and the fruits are used for the treatment of rheumatism and haemorrhoid. Externally, it is used for the treatment of bites by rabbits, rats, and dogs. The root-bark is also used in traditional medicine skin problems and as an antidote for snake bite. The root-bark is also used to expel parasitic worms  and other internal parasites from the body. It is used as an emetic and purgative as well,