Blackboard Tree

Department of Botany

*Botanical name:-  Alstonia scholaris

*Local name:-Devil tree, Scholar tree, Dita bark, Blachboard tree, Saptaparna, Indian Pulai, White Cheesewood, Milkwood Pine, Dita Bark, Bitter Bark.

*Family -   Apocynaceae

* Medicinal used –In Ayurveda, it is used as an astringent herb for treating skin disorders, malarial fever, dysentery, diarrhoea and for snake bites.

1. Cures recurrent and intermittent fever

Indian devil tree’s bark is collected and its outer skin is removed by scraping. To this, small piece of garlic and cumin seeds are added in equal proportion and decoction is prepared. This is administered fourth hourly in a dose of 15-20 ml. This calms recurrent and intermittent fever effectively.

2. Obesity & Cholesterol

Fresh bark or leaves are collected and fresh juice is obtained by pounding. Preferably this is administered in early morning. This is very effective against the complaints like obesity, hyper cholesterol and lipoma.

3. Jaundice

5-10 gram of Indian devil tree’s bark is taken and fine paste is made. This is administered along with buttermilk, daily early in the morning for 5-10 days. It is found to be effective in obstructive jaundice cases.

4. Dandruff and Head Lice

Bark of the tree is taken and pounded well and coarse paste is made. To this 150 ml of sesame oil is added and heated in mild intensity of heat till complete evaporation of the water content. This is filtered and stored. This is used to apply to the scalp. This is effective against dandruff and head lice.

Diarrhea: Prepare a decoction of Alstonia Scholaris bark. Take it, twice a day.

Arthritis: Prepare a decoction of Alstonia Scholaris root. Take it, twice a day.

Indigestion: Make an infusion of Alstonia Scholaris bark powder. Drink during bedtime.

Slimy stools: Drink the infusion of Alstonia Scholaris bark powder at night.

Fatigue: Make an infusion of Alstonia Scholaris bark powder. Filter it. Drink 2 tsp, thrice a day.

Fever: Crush the roots of Alstonia Scholaris. Take quarter tsp with 1 cup hot water.

Ascaris: Take powder of Alstonia Scholaris root. Take it with lukewarm water.

Phlegm: Grind roots of Alstonia Scholaris to make powder. Have 1/4 tsp with warm water.

Ulcers: Apply milky latex on ulcers.

 

* Health hazards:- Blachboard trees are having medicinal values but those trees should not be planted in public places.

With the fragrance and pollen of the trees, people are suffering from respiratory problems and eye infections. The authorities should not promote this type of plants in public areas.

 Injured bark and leaves exude milky latex. Copious pollen produced during blooming known to cause nasal allergies.

*Environmental benefits - The tree also derived the name the ‘blackboard tree’.

Research has proven that these trees improve the air quality by removing pollutants and replacing them with fresh oxygen. 

Enhanced stormwater management and water quality: Vegetation reduces runoff and improves water quality by absorbing and filtering rainwater.