Did you know that Bakula (Mimusops elengi ) or Bakul is an Indian tree, a prized collection of gardens, the harbinger of ‘basant’ or spring in India with therapeutic benefits, finds mention in the ancient scriptures of Ayurveda as well as in Kalidasa’s lyric poem Meghduta?
Bakula or Bakul (बकुल), with botanical name Mimusops elengi, with common names such as Spanish cherry, medlar, and bullet wood, widely popular for its scented flower called 'Bakula pushpa', is typically an Indian tree which ushers spring season in India and is a prized collection of gardens. It is a medium-sized evergreen tree, apart from being native to India, is found in tropical forests in South Asia, Southeast Asia and northern Australia. The flowers of Bakul have a very sweet, refreshing aroma, thus attributing to their frequent mention in romantic contexts in lyrics of Kalidasa's Meghaduta, It is commonly planted as an ornamental tree throughout the tropics. It is also a notion that Bakula flowers bloom when a sweet wine (nectar) is sprinkled from the mouth of a beautiful woman on them. The plant is also listed in Charaka Samhita and Shushruta Samhita as having medicinal properties; Its herbal use are thus mentioned in many Ayurvedic products. especially those for oral health.
The Bakula tree finds mention in the Mahabharata. Lord Krishna in his romantic hours played his flute under a Bakula tree and attracted Gopis, the milkmaids of Vrindavan. The ancient Indian rishis (sages) considered these trees as gifts from god. Bakul trees can be seen growing at Hindu temple entrances. As Bakul tree is considered male, it is planted on the right side of the temple entrance, while the chalta tree (Dillenia indica), which is considered female, is planted on the left side. The dense canopy of the Bakul tree provides a cool shade where devotees can sit, talk, relax and meditate. The Bakul flowers are used as offerings to the gods, particularly to Lord Krishna, and to Lord Ganesha during the 21- types of flowers or pushpa puja or "Ekavimshathi Pushpa Puja". It is also said in the Bhaviṣyapuraṇa bakula flowers used in worship leads to the acquisition of a beautiful daughter. The flowers are considered to be very sacred in Jainism and Buddhism. In Jainism, it is the tree called the "caitya-tree (identified with Mimusops elengi) under which the parents of Nami (21st thirthankara) are often depicted in Jaina iconography, according to both the Śvetāmbara and Digambara tradition. in Buddhism Bakula (बाकुल) is another name for the well-known monk Bhikṣu Bakkula,
Bakul tree is known by different names in different Indian languages such as: Bohl and Bukal in Bengali; Bar-Soli and Bolsari in Gujarati; Pagade, Bakula and Pagadi Mara in Kannada; Enengi, Ilanni and Bakulam in Malayalam; Baula, Bokulo, Boulo and Kirakuli in Oriya; Bakulah, Bakula and Vakula in Sanskrit; Pogadachettu, Pogada and Vakulamu in Telugu; Bhonsari, Mal-Sari, Bakul, Maulsari and Mulsari in Hindi; Vonvol and Vouvoly in Konkani; Bakhor, Barsoli, Bakula and Ovalli in Marathi; Maulsari in Punjabi, Inalji, Vagulam, Magizhampoo in Tamil; and Molsari in Urdu.
Bakula (Mimusops elengi) is an evergreen tropical tree, small to medium tree, grows upto 30 to 40 m tall with bole upto 100 cm thick. It is fairly common near the sea, but may also be found in rocky locations and inland forest, up to 600 m altitude. It thrives in areas with pre-humid or slightly seasonal rainfall types. It is known in 40 species, of which only one species occurs in India (in Asia and the Pacific), called Mimusops elengi. It is propagated by seed or cutting. Seed has a gestation of 9 months. The tree retains a full crown and reproduces satisfactorily under fairly dense shade. Its leaves are smooth and shiny and its blooms called "Bakula Pusham" , are formed in bunches, white in colour with a yellowish tinge, and are very fragrant with alcoholic flavour. The flowers, with very sweet, refreshing aroma are retained for years by sun-drying them and preserved. The dried flowers are used to make necklaces and other ornaments by women. The fruits of the trees have oval-shape,. seen in green colour when raw. The fruits turn yellow on ripening. The ripened fruits are shiny and become grayish brown. They would have usually 1 or 2 seeds and are caustic in nature. The flowers bloom in April whereas the fruits develop in June.
Its heartwood is deep red or dark-red brown with darker streaks. The grain is straight, wavy, or slightly interlocked texture very fine to fine and even occasionally with water-silk figure on tangential face of sapwood. It tastes bitter and the wood contains saponin and lathers when rubbed with water. It is a durable wood even exposed to weather and termite resistant . The seed kernel contains 22 percent oil and its refined oil is said to be comparable to groundnut oil. Bakula flowers, being so aromatic, are also used in making soaps and oils. The Bakula flower extract is mixed with Sandalwood oil to make a rich, fragrant mixture.
The tree provides firewood and timber. The latter is used for furniture, building materials, enclosures, staircases, pillars, agricultural purposes, e. g. for making ploughs, transportation e. g. for making carts, chariots, boats, ships, and for various industrial needs.
According to Ayurveda, its fragrance gives relief in migraines and common headache. Its beneficial properties are for many tooth related dental problems such as caries and gum disease, but also used for hair care and skin care. It is also used as a body tonic as it is believed to strengthen the nervous and cardiac system. Its tender stems are used as toothbrushes and the bark powder can be used as an exfoliator for teeth. Gargling with the solution of its bark powder and Acacia catechu is said to be useful for bleeding gums and swollen gums.
- Narasipur Char
