Microcos paniulata - দাঁতই/ আসার (Grewia nervosa)

 

[Device used: Panasonic Lumix DMC Fz-18; Gazipur, Bangladesh]

Asar (Bangla); Asargula (Bangla); Pichandi (Bangla); Rachi Pang (Chakma); Ebah (Manipuri); Urea Shok (Murang); 

The shrub Microcos paniulata (MPL; Tiliaceae), distributed in south China, south and southeast Asia, yields a phytomedicine used to treat heat stroke, fever, dyspepsia, diarrhea, insect bites and jaundice. Phytochemical investigations on different parts of MPL indicate the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, triterpenoids and organic acids. The MPL leaves, fruits, barks and roots extracts showed antidiarrheal, antimicrobial and insecticidal, anti-inflammation, hepatoprotective, cardiovascular protective, blood lipids reducing, analgesic, jaundice-relieving and antipyretic activities, etc. [1]

Distribution

From Sri Lanka and India to Indo-China, southern China and Thailand. Reports from Peninsular Malaysia and Indonesia (Java and the Lesser Sunda Islands) are questionable, because of the complicated taxonomy.

Uses

The leaves are considered eminently suitable for wrapping cigars, e.g. in the Andaman Islands. The light to medium-weight hardwood is used for cabinet work. Rope can be manufactured from the fibrous bark. The fruits are edible. In India M. paniculata is reputed to cure indigestion, eczema, itches, typhoid fever, dysentery and syphilitic ulceration of the mouth. In southern China an infusion of the leaves is taken for indigestion and as a cooling drink. In Indo-China a drink prepared from the roasted and boiled leaves is given to children as a vermifuge. Loppings can be used as green manure.

Observations

·        A small to medium-sized, deciduous shrub or tree up to 20 m tall; bole up to 50 cm in diameter; bark dark brown to blackish. Indumentum of stellate and simple hairs.

·        Leaves distichous; petiole 0.5-1 cm long; blade elliptical to oblong, 8-17 cm × 4-8 cm, margin undulate to entire, apex acute, glabrous, tertiary venation scalariform and distinct below.

·        Flowers in terminal and axillary cymes arranged paniculately, 5-merous, pale yellow; sepals free, obovate, about 4 mm long; petals free, glabrous, about half the size of the sepals; stamens many, with dorsifixed anthers; ovary superior, 2-4-locular, glabrous, style subulate.

·        Fruit a globose to obovate drupe, about 1.5 cm × 1 cm, purplish, glabrous, with leathery pericarp. [2]

Medicinal

The plant is reputed to cure indigestion, eczema, itches, typhoid fever, dysentery and syphilitic ulceration of the mouth [310].

A decoction of the roots is used to treat coughs .

An infusion of the leaves is taken as a cooling drink and to remedy indigestion. A drink prepared from the roasted and boiled leaves is given to children as a vermifuge [310].

he leaves are considered eminently suitable for wrapping cigars, e.g. in the Andaman Islands [310].

Rope can be manufactured from the fibrous bark [310].

The light to medium-weight hardwood is used for cabinet work [310]. [3]

Used to make this play shooter when we were children. Inserted fruit from Microcos Paniulata and shoot. Was heaps of fun playing with this.