Madhuca indica (Mahua): The Honey Tree

Madhuca indica is the botanical name of Madhuka tree which belongs to family Sapotaceae. In Sanskrit, the plant is known as Madhuka. Mahua (Hindi name) is a medium to large sized tree that grows throughout India in abundance. It is used for timber, flowers and fruits. It has several medicinal properties. This article deals with few common medicinal properties of this plant.

The Honey tree (English name) has many medicinal uses. Almost all parts of this tree are medicinally very important. Tribals in Central India worship this tree for its medicinal values and also for its relevance in their rituals. According to the local healers known as Bhumkas, flowers are used in the treatment of eye diseases. Bhumkas use various parts of the plant in their day to day treatment formulations. According to Chimmilal (Bhumka), flowers mixed with milk are useful in impotency and general debility.

Roasted leaves of the tree are mixed with sesame oil and applied on swelling and inflammation. Patients suffering from piles are supplemented with 12-15 drops of seed oil. It works as laxative. Bark decoction is good in diabetes. Topical application of seed oil is recommended for stiffness and arthritis. Seed oil provides soothing effect to the skin. A decoction of the bark can be given internally in rheumatic diseases. The leaves of Madhuka are effective in the treatment of eczema. Flowers are expectorants and used for curing bronchial asthma. Tribal healers, in Patalkot valley of Madhya Pradesh, prescribe dry flower for increasing milk in women. Seed oil cures skin problems too. In eczema, leaves are smeared with sesame oil and are used as a bandage on the affected region (Acharya and Shrivastava, 2008).

Madhuca indica flowers are known as energy rich material and used as animal as well as human feed. Flowers are used for making local wine. The distillation product of flowers gives a spirit which has healing, astringent, tonic, and appetizer properties. The fleshy petals are eaten as raw or cooked and country spirit known as Gapai is made from flowers which are a favorite drink of tribal people in India. The oil extracted from seeds is used in cooking, soap making and manufacture of margarine. Flowers are used as sweet, some ethnic food like chapati are prepared by tribal women. Mahua cake is used as manure; it has pesticidal properties.

Medicinal properties and herbal practices of the plant mentioned in this article are for information purposes. Please take advice from your family doctor before any application or self medication.

Reference

Acharya, D. and Shrivastava, A. 2008. Indigenous Herbal Medicines: Tribal Formulations and Traditional Herbal Practices. Aavishkar Publishers Distributors, Jaipur. ISBN 978-81-7910-252-7.