Milk tree

The scientific name of Milk tree: Manilkara Hexandra (Roxb.) Dubard / Mimusoops hexandra Roxb.

Name of Milk tree in different languages:-

English: Ceylon Ironwood, Wedge-leaved Ape Flower

Sanskrit: Rishabhaka , निम्बबिज Nimbabija, राजादन Rajadana, क्षीरिणी Kshirini

Hindi: रायन Rayan, खिरनी Khirni, दृढ़ Drirh, क्षीरी Kshiri

Malayalam: Pazhamunppala-പഴമൂൺപാല, Mullupala, കൃണി Krini

Tamil: Kannupala, உலக்கைப்பாலை-Ulakkaipaalai

Plant description:

It is an evergreen tree, found in dry-evergreen forests of India, grows to 20 m high, bark is blackish-grey, fissured, cracked and rough; the leaves are simple, arrangement alternate-spiral, Broadly ovate, apex Obtuse-emarginate, Base Cuneate-rounded, margin entire; petiole 8-20 mm, slender. Flowers found in axillary fascicles; color white turns brownish-red when dry; fragrant. Flowering is December-February. Fruit are oblong, ellipsoid berry, slightly curved; seed single, Fruiting is February.

Useful plant parts: bark, fruits

Medicinal uses:

To treat anorexia, arthritis, jauntis, bronchitis, colic, epilepsy, leprosy, vomiting, toothache, indigestion, dizziness etc.

Chemical content:

Taraxerol, Cinnamic acid, Saponin, Gallic acid, Myrecetin,Quercetin, Hentriacontane and Quercitol

Medicinal properties: Astringent, cooling, appetizer, stomach.

Milk tree is used as an ingredient in the Ayurveda medicines like:

• Shatavaryadi Ghritam
• Sarvamayanthaka Ghritam
• Brihat Chagaladya Ghrita
• Brihat Ashwagandha Ghrita
• Mahanarayan thaialam
• Guduchyadi Tailam
• Baladhatryadi Thailam
• Bala Thailam
• Manasamithra vatakam