Blackboard tree

Scientific name of Blackboard tree: Alstonia scholaris (Linn.) 

Name of Blackboard tree in different languages:-

English: Devils tree, Ditabark, Milkwood pine and White cheese wood.

 Sanscrit: Ikshu, Rasalah, Bahurasa, Kandekshu, Kantara Ikshubheda

 Malayalam: Ezhilampala, Yakshipala, Daivam Pala, Pala (ഏഴിലംപാല, യക്ഷിപ്പാല, ദൈവപ്പാല, പാല)

Plant Description

Devils tree  is an evergreen forest tree up to 700 m. altitude, grows up to 40 m tall, its mature bark is grayish green, the upper side of the leaves are glossy. Leaves arranged in a round manner commonly found seven leaves. Flowers are small and whitish in color with a fragrance blossoming in October; Seeds are oblong, with 1.5 to 2 cm. The bark is almost odorless and very bitter and with a milky sap.

Leaf Arrangement

Shape- Digitate	Margin-Entire	Venation-Pinnate

Useful plant parts:

Latex, bark

Medicinal uses: 

In the treatment of Cancers , (Link-Reff: http://ict.sagepub.com/content/9/3/261.short), malaria, Ulcer, fits, indigestion, fever, to treat Tridosha

Chemical content:

Antioxidant, febrifuge, vulneray, anti choleric.

How to prepare medicines:

Black board tree  is used as an ingredient in the Ayurveda medicine like:-

Mahatiktamkashayam

BrihatMarichadiTaila

Chitrakadi Tailam

 KaranjaTaila

Amrutharishtam

Mahathikthaka Grutham

Aragwadharishtam

Aragwadhadi ghrita

Mahatiktam kashayam

Chitrakadi Tailam

Karanja Taila

Vajraka Thailam

Mahal panchgaya Gritham