Tectonia grandis (SAKA)

Saka is the plant described by susrtuta and vagbhata repeatedly.  Susruta mentioned the utility of its fruits as well as leaves.  Caraka’s dvarada (Vi.8/146 & Ci.1/4/14) is considered to be saka according to Thakur Balwant Singhji.  Its other synonyms mentioned by bhavamisra are bhumisaha, dvardaru, varadaru and kharacchada.  Some of these synonyms are also found in madanapala ighantu.  Therefore, saka is identified as Tectonia grandis.  In some of the hymns of lord Ganesh, gandalipatra / gandakipatra is mentioned which is identified traditionally with teakwood leaf.

Botanical description – A large deciduous tree, 25-50 m high; leaves opposite, ovate, scabrous or sugiabrate, blade large, 30-62 cm long and 15-30 cm broad, with close tomentum beneath; flowers white, on short pedicles, borne in large erect, terminal, cross-branched cymose panicles, with short lanceolate bracts; fruits subglobose, more or less indistinctly 4-lobed, thick spongy pericarp; the nut is uneven, with 1,2,3 rarely 4 seeds and a central cavity.  Flowering and fruiting in August-December.  Found in wild as well as under cultivation throughout India.

Chemical constituents – Tectograndone, ighant, lapachonone, tectol, dehydrotectol, tectograndiol etc.

Part used –  nuts, seeds, flowers, bark, wood.

Uses –

Oil from nuts is used in scabies and for hair growth.

Seeds & flowers – known as diuretic.

Root is used in anuria and in retention of urine.