Medicinal Uses of Gmelina arborea

 

Medicinal Uses of Gmelina arborea

Gambhari

Gambhari is extensively used in Ayurveda. It is one of the five roots of Brihat Panchamula

(five larger roots or stem bark of tree, Gmelina arborea, Aegle marmelos, Premna integrifolia, Oroxylum indicum and Stereospermum suaveolens). Brihat Panchamula is used in Ayurveda for chronic fever, high fever, rheumatic affections, haemorrhages, urinary tract infections, anuria, and dysuria.

Gambhari is considered astringent, sweet and bitter. It alleviates phlegm and biliousness. The fruits are unctuous, heavy, cooling, astringent, brain Tonic, cardio Tonic, removes giddiness, acidity, urinary troubles, burning sensation of the body, wounds, wastage and troubles caused by Vata. The fruits are given in case of fever, excess pitta, burning sensation, excessive thirst, painful urination, and heart diseases. The fruits are promoter of good hair, rejuvenating and promoter of intellect. Roots are described as acrid, bitter, anthelmintic, galactagogue, laxative, stomachic, Tonic, useful in the burning sensation, dyspepsia, fever, hemorrhoids, hallucination, fever, indigestion, anasarca, etc.

1 – Acidity

Gambhari has Pitta reducing properties. Eat 2-3 fruits and drink water.

2 – Biliousness, giddiness

Bark cooked with rice is eaten.

3 – Bleeding disorder

Stem decoction is given.

4 – Cold, Cough, gonorrhea

• Gambhari Stem bark + Kalmegha Andrographis paniculata whole plant, decoction is given. Or
• 20 ml leaf juice is taken orally.

5 – Diabetes

Take Gambhari fruit powder twice a day.

6 – Dryness of mouth-throat, less salivation

Eat Gambhari fruits.

7 – Fever

A decoction of the roots and bark is given.

8 – Galactagogue (increasing breast milk)

1. Decoction of the root of Gmelina arborea + liquorice root + sugar is taken orally. Or
2. A decoction of the roots and bark is given.

9 – Gout, Arthritis

1. Mix Gambhari Fruit powder + Mulethi root powder, in equal amount and take 1 teaspoon twice a day. Or Prepare decoction of Gambhari Fruit powder + Gambhari stem bark + Mulethi root powder (each 1 teaspoon) by boiling in 400 ml water till it reduces to 100ml. Filter and drink regularly.
2. Root powder is applied topically.

10 – Hemorrhage

Take ripe fruits with honey.

11 – Headache in the fever

Leaf paste is applied.

12 – Improving chances of conception/pregnancy, improving fertility

Prepare decoction of Gambhari bark + Mulethi, and drink regularly.

13 – Leucorrhoea

Prepare powder of fruits and take twice-thrice a day.

14 – Rheumatism

Root powder paste is applied.

15 – Scorpion bite

Root bark paste is applied.

16 – Smelly discharge worms from ulcers

The leaf paste or juice is used externally.

17 – Thirst Due To Fever

The decoction of the pulp of the fruits is given.

18 – Ulcerative colitis

Eat fresh or dry fruits of Gambhari twice a day with water.

19 – Urticaria, Sheet pitta, Skin Allergy

• Fruits are taken with milk. Or
• Fruit powder + Mishri, is taken.

20 – Wounds

Leaf paste is applied.

Other Uses

• The wood of the tree is most reliable timber of India. It is light and tough and used to make furniture, planks, carriages, printing boxes, musical instruments, shafts, axles, picture frames, calipers, ship buildings, artificial limbs and stethoscopes, etc.
• In south India the bark of the tree is used by arrack manufacturers to regulate the fermentation of toddy.
• The tree is also grown in garden or avenues.

The Dosage of Gmelina arborea

1. Dried Root and Rootbark: 20-30 g of the drug for decoction
2. Dried Stem: 5-10 g of the drug for decoction
3. Dried Stem Bark: 3-5 gm in powder form.
4. Dried fruit: 1-3 g of the drug in powder form.
5. Decoction of roots/stem is prepared by boiling 20-30 grams of coarse powder of roots/ 5-10 grams of stem, in one glass water till water reduces to half cup. This is filtered and taken lukewarm.