The Blackboard tree (Alstonia scholaris), locally known as Indian Pulai

Alstonia scholaris commonly known as the Devil's tree or the Blackboard tree is named after Dr. Charles Alston, a botanist from Edinburgh. It is also called the Blackboard tree as it's wood was used to make blackboards and slates for students. This is why the specific name scholaris. In some universities in India a leaf of this tree is gifted to graduates on their graduation ceremony as a symbol of scholarship along with their certificate.

The tree is also known by the name Saptparni (sapta means seven and parni means leaf), referring to the occurrence of leaves in bunches of seven.)
The evergreen plant is a medium to tall tree having a straight trunk with pagoda branching, the leaves are arranged in a whorl, and have copious white sap when broken. Injured bark also exudes milky latex hence the common name milkwood pine.
The flowers have strong heady fragrance and greenish white in color and borne in tightly clustered inflorescences. They are rich in nectar and popular with insects and butterflies who help with the pollination.
Fruits are elongated bean shaped and occur in pairs. The seeds are flat, oblong and have tufts of silky hairs attached to both ends, to aid in dispersal by wind.

The tree bark is dark brown and is known as the Dita bark or bitter bark and is used in traditional medicine as substitute for quinine to treat malaria; also used as astringent against bowel problems like abdominal pains, chronic diarrhoea and advanced dysentry. Also treats toothaches and snakebites. Leaves are used as remedy against beri-beri.
The wood of the tree is very soft and lightweight and is used for making floats, corks, coffins, matchsticks, writing or carving tablets and utensils.
Latex makes a good quality chewing gum, and used as glue by Australian Aborigines to stick feathers to skin.
The tree is a major plant for apiculture since the flowers attract a lot of bees and the long branches make ideal space for bee hives .
It is considered to be the devil's abode in some tribal cultures who believe it inauspicious to sit or walk under these trees specially at night. This may be probably due to the intoxicating fragrance of the flowers, and also the reason for the common name Devil's tree.
The sap and latex of the tree is toxic and should not be consumed as such.

Alstonia scholaris closely resembles the native Alstonia angustiloba which has slighty smaller stipule-less leaves (6-14cm long), shorter fruit pods (25cm long), white glabrous flowers (flowers of Alstonia scholaris have pubescent petals) and paler grey bark (bark of Alstonia scholaris is smooth, dark brown).

Scientific name: Alstonia scholaris
Common name: Blackboard tree, Devil's tree, Indian Pulai, White Cheesewood, Milkwood Pine, Bitter Bark
Family: Apocynaceae
Native Distribution: Indian subcontinent, Southern China, Indochina, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Tropical Australia

Reference 

Ayurveda and Treatment

“Ayurveda” is being recognized as a holistic system of medicine, Which holds that the body is the foundation of all Wisdom and Source of all Supreme Objectives of life.Ayurveda” have effective treatment for, Asthma, Mental Tension , Spinal Disorders , High blood pressure , Mental Stress, Spondylosis , High Cholesterol , Fatigue , Obesity , Headaches , Respiratory Problems , Heart Diseases , Migraine , Gastric Complaints , Chest Pain , Arthritis , Weight Loss , Osteoarthritis , Body Purification , Gynecological Disorders , Rheumatism , Anti-ageing , Chronic Constipation , Speech Disorders , Piles , Back Pain , Nervous Disorders , Hair Loss , Gout , Premature Graying , Skin Diseases , Psoriasis , Insomnia , Memory Loss , Pain , Gastric Problems , Immunity Problems , Anemia , Acne , Anorexia , Anxiety , Acidity , Bronchitis, Diabetes , Dyspepsia , Dysentery , Dandruff , Depression , Diarrhea , Dengue , Chikungunya , Indigestion , Urinary bladder disorder , Fungal infection , Nasal Congestion , Gum and Tooth diseases , Vitiation of blood , Burning Sensation , Oedema , Emaciation , Impotency , Inflammation , Ulcer , Thirst , Chloasma of face , Tastelessness , Pleurodria , Intercostal neuralgia , Pthisis , Vitiation of semen , Sciatica , Filariasis , Tumour , Intermittent fever , Lassitude , Hoarseness of voice , Mole , Conjunctivitis , Glaucoma , Myopia , Repeated Abortion , Duodenal ulcer , Malabsorption syndrome , Eczema , Flatulence , Fever , General Debility , Irregular Menstrual Cycle , Jaundice , Hepatitis , joint Pain , Kidney stone , Leucorrhea , Leukoderma , Liver Disorder , Menopause , Premenstrual Tension , Pyorrhea , Peptic Ulcer , Palpitation , Rheumatism , Ringworm , Stress Management , Sinusitis , Sore Throat , Skin Allergy , Sciatica , Sleeplessness ,Toothache , weight , Urinary Diseases , Vertigo , infection , Restlessness , Hypertension , Malarial Fever , Cough , Cold , Pimples , Black Heads , Appetite problem , Vomit , Eye problems , Abdominal fever , Abdominal lump , Swelling , Fibroid , Cyst , Bleeding , Infertility in men and women , Pneumonia , Curing Dryness , wounds, cuts, & burns . Consult a certified Doctor for more details on Ayurvedic Treatment.

Search Topic on this Blog

Popular Posts

ॐ सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः। सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु मा कश्चिद्दुःखभाग्भवेत। ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥
सभी सुखी होवें, सभी रोगमुक्त रहें, सभी मंगलमय घटनाओं के साक्षी बनें और किसी को भी दुःख का भागी न बनना पड़े। ॐ शांति शांति शांति॥
May all sentient beings be at peace, may no one suffer from illness, May all see what is auspicious, may no one suffer. Om peace, peace, peace.

Disclaimer

The information at any place in this website is just an informative basis as well as pure intention to create Awareness about Ayurveda , Yoga and Meditation to encourage people to adopt Ayurveda , Yoga and Meditation in their day to day lifestyle for Natural health. All the content is purely educational in nature and should not be considered medical advice. Please use the content only consultation with appropriate certified Doctor or medical or healthcare professional. This site contains External Links to third party websites ,These links are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval and no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.