Bakula – Mimusops elengi
Bakula – Mimusops elengi
Bakula, commonly known as Bullet wood tree is one of most commonly used herb for the alleviation of inflammatory conditions and worm infestation. The name Bakula means that the tree grows very quickly. Bakula is also known as Chirapushpa as its flowers remains for many days.
Institute of Applied food Allergy guided by Dr. Gupta, have been studying on readily available herbs for the purpose of alleviating allergic condition. Our experts studied on Bakula and proven the plant’s therapeutic activities like Anthelmintic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Astringent, Cooling, Febrifuge, Antiallergic actions etc. Bakula can be used in various diseases like loose tooth, diarrhoea, worm infestations etc. The fruit extract of this plant shows antimicrobial actions. Phytoconstituents like ascorbic acid, gallic acid etc present in the fruit extract make it antioxidant in nature. Nowadays Bakula is also used for treating allergic conditions.
Action of Bakula – Mimusops elengi in Allergies
IAFA experts have successfully proven the antiallergic property of the plant Bakula. The plant contains phytoconstituents like saponin, arabinose, tannin, ascorbic acid, gallic acid, pyrogallol, rwsorcinol etc. These phytoconstituents aids the antiallergic and antimicrobial property of Bakula. It can be effectively applied on the skin to alleviate skin allergic conditions.
Vernacular Names and Classification
| Botanical name | Mimusops elengi |
| Family | Sapotaceae |
| Native Names | |
| Sanskrit Name | Bakula, Chirapushpa, Madhugandha |
| Hindi Name | Bakul |
| English Name | Bullet wood tree |
| Malayalam Name | Elanni |
| Kannada Name | Pagademara |
| Marathi Name | Bakula |
Ayurveda Reference of Bakula – Mimusops elengi
Morphology of Bakula – Mimusops elengi
- Large glabrous evergreen tree
- Bark is smooth and scaly
- Leaves are elliptical, simple and alternate
- Inflorescence is solitary
- Flowers are white
- Fruits are berry
Geographical Distribution of Bakula – Mimusops elengi
It grows commonly in South India. Also cultivated by the sides of roads and in gardens.
Phytoconstituents of Bakula – Mimusops elengi
The plant contains phytoconstituents like saponin, arabinose, tannin, ascorbic acid, gallic acid, pyrogallol, rwsorcinol etc.
Parts Used of Bakula – Mimusops elengi
- Fruit
- Bark
- Flower
Dosage of Bakula – Mimusops elengi
- Powder (churna) – 1-2 g
- Decoction (kwatha) – 50-100 ml
Medicinal Properties of Bakula – Mimusops elengi
- Dantya – useful in diseases of teeth
- Atisaraghna – cures diarrhoea
- Sophahara – relieves swelling
- Rucya – cures anorexia
- Hridya – cures heart diseases
- Krimighna – useful in worm infestations
- Kandughan- relieves itching
- Vishaghna – useful in poisoning
- Pravahikahara – useful in dysentery
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– Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)
Ayurvedic Allergy Specialist
CEO & Founder of IAFA®
Home Remedies of Bakula – Mimusops elengi
Ayurveda is not only a treatment system but also a lifestyle. The treatment system adopted by Ayurveda is purely based on naturally available herbs. Bakula is one of the most widely used herb. Due to its high medicinal value it is used in treating many diseases like,
- In loose tooth (Danta cala) – Decoction of bark of Bakula is used for gargling.
- In Worm infestations (Krimi) – Freshly collected Bakula fruits are used for foods, drinks, for bath, for fumigation and for application.
- In Skin diseases (Kushta) – Powder of Bakula is mixed with honey and taken.
- In Toothache (Toda) – Gargling is done using decoction prepared of crushed bark of Bakula.
- In Diarrhoea (Atisara) – The fruits of Bakula are powdered and taken along with honey.
- In Dysentery (Pravahika) – Powdered fruits of Bakula is taken along with honey.
- In Heart diseases (Hridroga) – Decoction of bark of Bakula is taken to cure heart diseases.
Article Written By: Dr. Sahil Gupta, Ayurvedic Allergist
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