Madhuca butyracea (Roxb.) Macbride (HRASVAPHALA)

Madhuka is described by Caraka, Sushruta and Vagbhata extensively. All the nighantus have high-lighted its medicinal properties. The alcohol prepared with its flowers is famous for centuries together.Thakurji reported that ‘Madhukapushpi’ delineated by Caraka (C.S.Vi. 8/146) is another species of Madhuka i.e.; M. butyracea (Roxb.) Macbride.

Botanical Name (M. indica) – It is a deciduous tree; leaves are 10 – 30 centemeter long, thick and leathery, most of leaves pointed at the tip; flowers are small and fleshy, dull or pale white in colour; fruits are 2 – 6 cm long, fleshy and greenish.

Botanical Name (M. butyracea) – Indian butter tree is a slow growing, medium sized tree attaining a height of 20-30 m.Bark: dark grey or brownish and slightly fissured. Flowers: The flowers are creamy white, long stalked, usually crowded in fascicles on the leafy axis and have a soft, sweet aroma. The number of flowers per fascicle varies from 50 to 72. Each flower is 2.64 cm in diameter, and has 10-15 petals and 36-45 stamens. It is found in all most all the temperate forests in India.

Major Chemical Constituents– Saponins, myricetin, quercetin

Part Used– Flower, Tvak Sœra

Dosage– Juice 10-20 ml; powder 1-3g; bark decoction 50-100 ml.

Research–

(1) The 50% alcoholic extract of stem bark revealed hypotensive activity in cat/dog (Bhakuni et al., 1969).

(2) The total saponins (mixture) isolated from seeds showed spermicidal activity (Setty et al., 1976).

(3) The methanolic extract of flowers, leaves, stem and stem bark have been reported to possess antibacterial activity against B. anthracis, B. pumilus, B. subtilis, Sal. Paratyphi, Vib. Cholerae, Xanth. Campestris and Xanth. Malvacearum (Trivedi et al., 1980).