www.malaysianherbals.com-(27) கல்யாண முருங்கை

Erythrina variegata (Indian Coral Tree)

kalyana murungai
                                                                கல்யாண முருங்கை

or Mulmurungai




  



அன்பர்களே!
திருமணத்தின் போது செய்யும் சடங்குகளில் முதன்மையானது முஹூர்த்தக்கால் நடுதல். அதில் கல்யாண முருங்கைக்கு அதிக முக்கியத்துவம் உள்ளது.
திருமணத்திற்குப் பின்பு எடை போடுவதைத் தடுக்க வல்லது.
The Indian Coral Tree and Flame of the Forest are fast disappearing from the city scape, say botanists.

“The garish red flowers of the Indian Coral Tree (Erythrina Variegata), popularly known as Kalyana Murungai or Mulmurungai, attracted a lot of birds due to its copious nectar. Today, these trees are not only rare but also show severe gall infestation. Its flowers and leaves are marred by the unsightly galls,” says Pauline R. Deborah, assistant professor, Department of Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology, Women's Christian College.

These leaves are great to slim down one has to take it a few leaves just chew them like any leaf and no other smell, early morning on an empty stomach and they are wonderful and cut down your waist like never before....sunkan

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Kalyana murungai, botanically known as Erythrina indica, is one of the most colourful indigenous trees of peninsular India.

Erythrina is from the Greek word erythros, meaning red in allusion to the colour of the bloom and indica refers to its country of origin. The trifoliate leaf was popular with the early Christians in India, as representing the Trinity.

Before the leaves emerge, coral trees display a spectacular show with bright crimson flowers in dense terminal clusters.

The pods that follow the flowers are cylindrical and constricted between the reddish brown seeds, which are familiar with children as soodu kottai.

The bark of the tree is antipyretic and used in the treatment of epilepsy, dysmenorrhoea (painful menstruation) and skin ulcers.

The leaves are laxative, diuretic, anthelmintic, galactagogue (agent inducing milk secretion) and emmenagogue (promoting menstrual discharge).

Being an excellent nitrogen fixer, it is planted in tea plantations and in fields.

When in bloom, the tree makes a gorgeous sight.

That the flowers contain much nectar is evidenced by the frequent visits of many species of birds; sunbirds, mynahs and babblers are usually to be seen, hurrying from flower to flower, chattering and twittering. With man, also, the tree is very popular, having numerous uses. From an infusion of the flowers a brilliant coloring matter can be obtained, which may be made into water-paint or into a dye. Cotton, prepared with alum, can be dyed a bright  yellow or orange.                                                                                                      (27)
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www.malaysianherbals.com -(23) பூவரசு Portia Tree

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Portia Tree

Thespesia populnea    பூவரசு

பூக்களின் அரசன்

Commonly known as the Portia Tree Common names vary according to the country and include "Indian tulip tree", "Pacific rosewood", "seaside mahoe" (in Florida),surina (the "elegant tree"), suriya (Sinhala), bebaru or baru baru (Malay), milo or miro (in many Polynesian languages), mako‘i(Rapanui), gangaraavi (Telugu), poovarasu (Tamil), and plaksa (Sanskrit).




Originally from the Old World, the Portia Tree was brought to Hawaii by early Polynesian settlers. The Tahitians considered it sacred and grew it near places of worship. Its name Thespesia means "divinely decreed" and was given by Daniel Solander who saw it in Tahiti as a member of Captain Cook's ship. It is mostly found along the coast. Its leaves turn yellow seasonally.

It is the host of the Cotton Stainer Bug (Dysdercus decussatus), and the plant was eradicated in many cotton-growing areas to eliminate this insect.

Uses as food: The fruits, flowers and young leaves are edible.

Morning the flowers are yellow but as the sun sets the flowers turn red. 


When small though it looks like a Banyan Fig it it is not.

Other uses: The timber is hard, termite-resistant, has an attractive grain and dark-red colour, and is naturally oily so it can be highly polished (thus it is also called Pacific Rosewood). But the timber is often twisted and rarely found in large pieces so it makes only small items. As the timber does not impart a flavour, it is often used to carve wooden food bowls and food utensils in Hawaii. The tough fibrous bark is made into rope (Hawaii and elsewhere) but is not as good for this purpose as Sea Hibiscus is. The bark is also used to caulk boats (Malay). Cork is made from the inner bark. A yellow dye is obtained from the flower and fruits, and a red one from the bark and heartwood.

A yellow dye is nd a red one from theobtained from the flower and fruits, a bark and heartwood. branches, it casts welcome shade and in Hawaii were planted near homes for this purpose. In India, they were planted to provide shade in coffee and tea plantations. Traditional medicinal uses: Ground up bark is used to treat skin diseases (India), dysentery and haemorrhoids (Mauritius). Leaves are applied to inflamed and swollen joints (South India). When cut, the young fruit secretes a yellow sticky sap used to treat ringworm and other skin diseases (South India). Roots are used as a tonic. There is some modern investigation of the plant's effects on high blood pressure. Mangrove and wetland wildlife at Sungei Buloh Nature Park

Mangrove and wetland wildlife at Sungei Buloh Nature Park Main features:Mangrove associate. A spreading habit, grows to 10-12m tall. Bark: Brown, corrugated. Scaly twigs. Leaves: Small, heart-shaped, shiny green. Flowers: Pale yellow without red stigma as in Sea Hibiscus. Last for only one day, turning maroon and dropping then. Fruits: Capsule is a flattened leathery sphere with disc-like sepals. Green at first, turning brown then black as it ripens and dries. The capsule then opens releasing 8-15 black seeds. Similar plant: Sea Hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceus): flowers appear similar, yellow with maroon eye and also turn dull orange with age, but have dark red stigma, and fall off the same evening or  Photo from Peter Ng and Sivasothi day after; leaves have slits on their underveins that secrete nectar; fruits and timber are different. Status in Singapore: Common in suitable habitats. World distribution: Native to the Old World, introduced and naturalised in the New World. Classification: Family Malvaceae. World 1 mangrove associated species.

Other products extracted from the plant includes tannin, oil and gums (a dark red resin exudes from the bark). A fast growing shrub that grows into a small tree with spreading .

                                                                                            (23)
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www.malaysianherbals.com -(22) CLOVES கிராம்பு

http://www.sidhhaherbs.blogspot.com          Syzygium aromaticum 


        

 Cloves

Indian/Sanskrit   Lavanga, Devakusuma

கிராம்பு 

Japanese: Choji -- Chinese: Ding xiang, Ting hsiang, Ding heung


 This pyramidal evergreen clove tree, grows up to 15 to 30 feet tall, has smooth grey bark and ovate 5 inches long leaves with small bell-shaped white flowers which grow in terminal clusters. The flower buds are greenish and turn pink at maturity. The seeds are oblong, soft, grooved on one side. 

Cloves are the dried, unopened flower buds of the evergreen clove tree. This small reddish-brown flower bud resembles a tiny nail head. The name clove is believed to be derived either from the Latin word 'clavus' or the French word 'clou' which means nail. It is native to Moluccas or Spice Islands (Indonesia) but is also grown in India, Sumatra, Jamaica, the West Indies, Brazil and other tropical areas.

Nutrients in Cloves

Cloves (Eugenia aromatica) are an excellent source of manganese. They are a very good source of vitamin C, K, and dietary fiber. They are a good source of calcium and magnesium.

All parts of the clove tree are highly aromatic. 
Dried flower bud, which gives a sharp and spicy flavour, either whole or ground are used for culinary purposes. 
It is one of the most important drugs used in indigenous medicine in India, especially in Unani medicine.
 Clove is reported as an aphrodisiac, stomachic, carminative, and antispasmodic.
 It is reported to be useful in conceiving in high doses and act as a contraceptive in low doses and useful in cataract. Clove is also reported to have anticarcinogenic property.
 It possesses antiviral activity against Herpes simplex
.

Medicinal parts used:      Dried unopened flower buds


Therapeutic use:
•   Clove oil has got analgesic properties and applied locally in swollen gum and in toothache.
•   The use of clove in food and condiments triggers the body to secrete antioxidant enzymes which prevents the body from oxidative damage.

•   Reduces the excess fat and lipid from the body.
•   Clove oil has good antiviral, antibacterial properties and used in traditional medicine as a bactericide, fungicide, can prevent the body from infections and is a good antiseptic.

 Ceylon Cloves

It is an aromatic flower bud of a tree in the family Myrtaceae. It is used as 

spice in cuisine all over the world. Clove tree is an evergreen tree whose height 

ranges from 10-20 m. Apart from being used in cuisine; clove is also used in


other industries for its medicinal use and 

therapeutic value.


Toxicity:
Large amounts should be avoided in pregnancy. Cloves can be irritating to the gastrointestinal tract, and should be avoided by people with gastric ulcers, colitis, or irritable bowel syndrome. In overdoses - sometimes referred to with the neologism 'clover doses' - cloves can cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, and upper gastrointestinal haemorrhages. Severe overuse can lead to kidney failure, changes in liver function, dyspnea, loss of consciousness, hallucination, and even death.Thanks to

Clove is an important ingredient in Japanese incense. Cloves are extremely stimulating and refreshing.

Clove is the common name for the tropical tree, Syzygium aromaticum, of the family Myrtaceae. The clove tree is native to North Moluccas (Indonesia) It was replanted to several other islands by the Dutch and later introduced to Zanzibar and Madagascar.

The clove tree is a evergreen with small white flower which grow in clusters. The flower buds are gathered and dried. Clove is used in the famous Worcestershire sauce and extensively as a spice in cooking.

Cloves are said to have antiseptic properties and are used as a preservative in pickles among other things. Ancient Chinese civilization chewed Cloves to sweeten their breath before talking to the emperor. Cloves and "Oil of Clove" have also been used as a mild anesthetic for toothaches. It could be one of Mother Nature's premium antiseptics!

Cloves as an Aphrodisiac

Extract of clove has been shown to enhance the sexual behavior of male mice. The results of the study resulted in a significant and sustained increase in the sexual activity of normal male rats, without any adverse effects. The results seem to support the claims for its traditional usage as an aphrodisiac.

Cloves as Mosquito Repellant

The natural oil of clove is a natural mosquito repellant and can give protection against mosquitoes for4-5 hours.

Cloves for Cancer Prevention

Preliminary studies have suggested the chemopreventive potential of clove for lung cancer, and to delay and reduce the formation of skin cancer.

Cloves for Cardiovascular Health

The compound eugenol from cloves has been found to be a potent platelet inhibitor (prevents blood clots).

Adverse Reactions from Cloves

Allergic reactions to clove and eugenol have been reported.

Clove supplements should be avoided in children and pregnant or nursing women.Thanks Elements 4 health

                                                                                                                     (22)
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www.malaysianherbals.com (21) Delonix regia செங்கொன்றை மலர்

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Delonix regia

Royal Poinciana.           செங்கொன்றை மலர்

In India it is known as Gulmohar (Hindi and Urdu -‘Gul’ means ‘Flower’ and ‘Mohr’ is 'Peacock', thus the name suggests a spectacular show of color, like the extraordinary colors of a peacock's tail). It is also known there as Krishnachura (Bengali: 'crown of the Lord Krishna). In Vietnamese it is known as Phượng vĩ (means "Phoenix's Tail) (Vietnamese), Malinche, and Tabachine. In Guatemala,Antigua Guatemala, it is known as "Llama del Bosque".

This species was previously placed in the genus Poinciana, named for Phillippe de Longvilliers de Poincy, the 17th century governor of Saint Christophe (Saint Kitts), who is credited with introducing the plant to the Americas. Because it is a legume, the tree has nitrogen-fixating and soil-improving properties.

 Dear friends  we can see many of these trees 

through out Malaysia.  My teacher thought me this as 

"Flame of the Forest " , because the one standard 

petal is  in distinguished white color.

Environmental requirements

The Royal Poinciana requires a tropical or near-tropical climate, but can tolerate drought and salty conditions. It is very widely grown in the Caribbean, Africa, Northern Australia (as far south as South east Queensland, although in sheltered micro climates it can be successfully grown in some areas of Sydney), Hong Kong, the Canary Islands, Cyprus, Thailand, Taiwan and southern China, and is also the city tree of Tainan, Taiwan and Xiamen, Fujian Province, People's Republic of China. National Cheng Kung University, a university located in Tainan, put Royal Poinciana on its emblem. It also grows throughout southern Brazil, with ornamental trees in Rio Grande do Sul (Canoas and Porto Alegre).

This is the seeds

Flowering season

Royal poinciana in Martin County, Florida, May

Gulmohar flowers in New Delhi

The royal poinciana tree--scientifically known as Delonix regia--is a showy ornamental tree that features lavish clusters of red and orange flowers in spring and summer, an umbrella-like canopy, and feathery, fern-like leaves. Originally from Madagascar, the poinciana tree has established itself in tropical cities throughout the world, and is particularly abundant in the Caribbean, where it is known simply as a flamboyant tree. The royal poinciana tree is an outstanding shade and specimen tree. This tropical plant is not very tolerant of temperatures below 45 degrees, however, and should only be grown in warm climates  climates.                                                                                                            Even there are yellow flowers which are  very common  in India

• South Florida: May–June  
• Vietnam: May–July
• Caribbean: May–September
• India, Pakistan, Bangladesh: April–June
• Australia: December–February
• Northern Mariana Islands: March–June
• United Arab
• Brazil: November–February
• Southern Sudan: March–May
•  Thailand: April–May
• Zimbabwe: October–December
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