mahanimba :

A large deciduous tree grows up to 30 meters in height, with straight trunk. Leaves alternate, pinnately compound, large, 30-60 cm or more in length; leaflets 8-14 or more pairs, long stalked, ovate or broadly lance shaped from very unequal base, 6-10 cm long, 3-5 cm wide, often curved, long pointed, hairy gland, coarsely toothed and often lobed. Flower clusters droop at leaf bases, shorter than leaves, much branched; flowers many, mostly male and female on different trees, short stalked, greenish-yellow; Fruit a 1-seeded samara, lance shaped, flat, pointed at ends, 5 cm long, 1 cm wide, copper, strongly veined and twisted at the base. 

Taxonomical Classification

VERNACULAR NAMES

English: Tree of heaven
Hindi: Atu, Arlu, Artu
Malayalam: Matti, Mattippalmaram, Pongalyam, മട്ടി, പൊങ്ങല്യം

Synonyms

Synonyms in Ayurveda: pishachavraksa, Mahanimba, Deerkhavrinda, Arala, Pootivriksha, Khodakaranja

Rasa: Kashaya Tikta
Guna: Laghu Ruksha
Veerya: Sheetha
Vipaka: Katu

Phytochemistry:

Plant contain a rich amount of beta sitosterole, vaitexin, 13-18 dehydroglucarabol-15, Ailanthione, and Glucarabol -15. The bark contains several quassinoids including ailanthone derivatives. They exhibit antitumour activity against P-388 lymphocytic leukaemia and are cytotoxic against KB test system.

Parts used for medicinal purpose

Bark, ,

Dosage:

Stem bark -1–3 g (API Vol. III.) 

Morphology:

A large deciduous tree grows up to 30 meters in height, with straight trunk. Leaves alternate, pinnately compound, large, 30-60 cm or more in length; leaflets 8-14 or more pairs, long stalked, ovate or broadly lance shaped from very unequal base, 6-10 cm long, 3-5 cm wide, often curved, long pointed, hairy gland, coarsely toothed and often lobed. Flower clusters droop at leaf bases, shorter than leaves, much branched; flowers many, mostly male and female on different trees, short stalked, greenish-yellow; Fruit a 1-seeded samara, lance shaped, flat, pointed at ends, 5 cm long, 1 cm wide, copper, strongly veined and twisted at the base. 

Geographical distribution:

Throughout India, cultivated also growing wild. 

Therapeutic Uses:

Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, pitta, diarrhea, dysentery, worm infestations, skin diseases, gynecological diseases, fever, and found to be effective in Leukemia. 

Ayurvedic Formulations:

Common Ayurvedic Formulations of mahanimba with their Indications
Sukumaram Kashayam

KEY WORDS: ARALA, മട്ടി, പൊങ്ങല്യം

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