Madhuca indica

(Common name:- Mahua)

Classification

• Kingdom- Plantae
• (Unranked)- Angiosperms
• (Unranked)- Eudicots
• (Unranked)- Asterids
• Order- Ericales
• Family- Sapotaceae
• Genus- Madhuca
• Species- M. indica

Madhuca indica is common herb found widely in Indian states and also known as Indian tropical tree that grows in deciduous forests.

History

Madhuca indica is common herb found widely in Indian states and also known as Indian tropical tree that grows in deciduous forests.

Mahua is been used from centuries for numerous purposes but widely it is used as medicinal herb.

Plant cultivation

Mahua is a fast growing tree that attains height of 20 meters or more.

The leaves of mahua are 10-20 cm long; appear to be thick and leathery and pointed at the tip.

It bears small fleshy flowers that are dull pale white in colour. The fruit of mahua is 2-6 cm long, thick and green in colour.

Cultivation

Mahua is cultivated in arid areas of deciduous forest in the states of Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat and Orissa.

Parts Used

Flowers, leaves, wood, bark

Constituents

The chief constituents of madhuca indica are carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acid, minerals, ash, moisture and soluble proteins like lipids.

Uses

• The oil derived from mahua is used for skin care, in the manufacture of soap and detergent and also as edible oil.
• The oil is also used as fuel. The seeds left after oil extraction is further used as fertilizer for plants.
• The flowers make an alcoholic drink which is drunk in tropical India.
• The other parts of the tree such as bark, flowers are used to treat various diseases and disorders in many tribal areas.
• The flowers are of mahua are edible and sweet in taste which make herbal tonic.
• The extracted oil of mahua is reported to have emollient properties which are used for various skin disorders, rheumatism and headache.

Names

• BENGALI: Banmahuva, Mahuha, Mohwa.
• BURMESE: Myitzu-thaka-natpan, Ta-laing-gaung.
• ENGLISH : Bassia, Butter-nut tree, Illipe nut, Indian butter tree, Indian illipe butter (product), Illupai, Ippe, Mabua butter tree, Moatree, Moah tree, Moah wood (product), Mowra butter tree.
• FRENCH: Arbre � beurre, Illip�, Beurre d' illipe (product), Noix d'illipe.
• GERMAN: Indische Illipe, Indische Illipe Butter (product).
• HINDI: Jangli moha, Moha (Mauha, Mohwa).
• ITALIAN: Illipe indiano, Burro di illipe indiano (product).
• NEPALESE: Mahuvaa.
• SANSKRIT: Madhuka.
• SINHALESE: Mi (Mee).
• SPANISH: Illipe, Mantequilla india del illipe (product).
• TAMIL: Elupa, Illupe, Illupi, Illupai, Katillipi.