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| Pongame Oil Tree |
Names of Pongamia tree in different languages
Pongamia or Pongame Oil Tree is also known as Indian Beech Tree.
- It is called Karanj, Kalinga, Papar, Sukhchain, Kanja, Kiramal etc. in Hindi.
- Karanja or Kenja, Karamaja, Pithakara, Tidila in Bengali
- Koroch in Assamese
- Karanji, Ghanerakaranj, Kidamar, Ponnamu in Marathi
- Karamji in Konkni
- Kanajhi in Gujrati
- Sukhchain in Punjabi
- Ganuga, Kanuga-Chettu, Pungu, Viaghranakamu, Kaadepathige, Kaggera, Kraanuga etc. in Telugu.
- Pungam, Agirunanandam, Cittakikam, Intiranikamaram, Kakananam, Mancaripputpam, Naguttam, Palpunku, Pungammaram, Tavanatcavalli, Totakatti, Ulokatitam, Utaku, Vacaputpam, Yayariyam etc. in Tamil.
- Chitaveelya, Huligili, Rakta Honne, Batti, Honge-Mara, Kanaga, Korngu, Kurundi, Pong, Korinta in Kannada.
- Minnari, Pongam, Pungammaram, Ungha, Ponnu etc. in Malayalam.
- Dhvankshavalli ,Angaravalli, Hasticharini, Chirabilva, Ghritaparnaka, Guchhapushpaka, Kakaghni, Karabhandika, Viddhaparkati , Naktamala, Prakirya, Udakirya, Putipatraka, Rochana, Sadgrantha, Kshudrarasa, Shamagashta, Snigdhapatra, Tamala-Vrikshaha, Tapasvi, Vahni, Vrittaparna etc. in Sanskrit.
- Khaiulmalisa in Persian.
- Karanjwah in Urdu.
- In Odia we call it Karanja too.
The Botanical name is Pongamia pinnata (L.) (Syn: Millettia pinnata, Pongamia glabra) (Fabaceae (pea family)
The Plant structure of Pongamia pinnata
Pongamia pinnata is a evergreen, leguminous tropical with a broad canopy and dense drooping branches. It generally grows up to average 20 metres high. The flowers are so beautiful! They look like little orchids to me.
This species is native to India, globally distributed in the tropical and subtropical zones around the world. It is extensively found throughout India. From earliest times, the twigs are used as a tooth brush. It has great commercial value especially for its oil. Its oil is a potential biodiesel like Jatropha.
Medicinal Properties of Karanj (Pongamia pinnata)
The plant has astringent, expectorant, cholagogue, anti-diabetic, abortifacient, antiseptic, antihelmintic, digestive, laxative, haematinic, carminative, styptic, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory,antidiarrhoeal, anti-ulcer and antioxidant properties.
Ayurvedic and Folk Medicinal use of Karanj (Pongamia pinnata)
- The seed oil is used for treatment of dyspepsia, scabies, leprosy, piles, ulcers, , lever pain and lumbago. It is also used for treatment of leucoderma. Karanj oil can reduce boils, abscess and cure eczema, gout and syphilis. It is used to treat scorpion bites and poisoning.
- The seed powder is given in the treatment of bronchitis, chronic fever, whooping cough and chronic skin diseases and painful rheumatic joints. The seeds are also used to treat inflammation, chronic fevers, anaemia. The seed paste and root juice is applied on sores and and ulcers and rheumatic joints.
- Infusion of the leaves also is used to alleviate rheumatism. Karanj leaves are laxative, digestive and are good for leprosy, diarrhea, dyspepsia and cough. The leaves used as a poultice for the treatment parasitic skin diseases. The juice is applied to cure herpes and itches. Leaf juice of Karanj is used for treatment of inflammation, dyspepsia, flatulence, constipation, cold, cough, diarrhoea, gonorrhoea and leprosy.
- The green bark is consumed internally to treat bleeding piles and haemorrhoids.
- The roots of Karanj are used as an anti-septic wash for foul ulcers, bleeding gums and gonorrhoea. The root paste is used for treatment of scrofula.
- The fruits and buds of Karanj are used in folk medicines for tumors. The fruits of Karanja is also used to treat diabetes, skin disorders like psoriasis and other skin infections.
- This tree is an invaluable gift of Mother Nature, All parts of the plant is highly medicinal and extremely useful.
My father once told me an experience about his father i.e my grandpa. He was suffering since long from bleeding gums and pyorrhea. He then started one natural healing Process. Every morning he went near a Karanj tree in our orchard and broke the green twigs for a toothbrush alongwith that he started massaging his gums with juice from its stems. His gums healed completely. Moreover, it became so strong that till the age of 74 when he died all his teeth were intact and healthy.
N.B. All the above is solely for informational purpose and NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE ANY KIND OF MEDICAL ADVICE. A REGD. AYURVEDIC/MEDICAL PRACTITIONER SHOULD ALWAYS BE CONSULTED FOR IT.
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| Angaravalli tree |
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| Pongamia Seeds |
