Ankol a Holy Tree.
Introduction:
Ankol or Akola (Alangium salviifolium) is a small bushy tree commonly known as Sage-Leaved Alangium. This tree is mostly native to dry regions in plains and low hills. It is mostly found near sandy riverine tracts and road cuttings in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. It is believed to be a holy tree and often planted in the courtyard of temples especially in Rajasthan and Gujarat. It has many names in different parts of Bharat as Ankot, Deerghakeel, Ankola, Tamraphal, Hundika, Rudamalika, Kotara and Gudhapatra in Sanskrit, Ankol, Akola and Dhera in Hindi, Ankod and Badh Ankod in Bengali and so on. This deciduous tree grows up to six meter height. Ankol is a small bushy tree offering a dense canopy with a short trunk. The stunted branches end up with sharp ends making it look like thorns. The leaves are simple, alternate, and oblong-lanceolate. It sheds its leaves completely when flowers and leaves start coming again when begins to fruit. Flowers are white in color having sweet fragrance and typically curl backwards petals exposing the multiple stamens and a linear stigma distinctly sticking out. The prominent remains of the green calyx can be seen distinctly with a white colored flower. The fruits are spherical berry like, green initially but turn red when ripen. Ankol trees bear flowers between February and April and fruits between March and May.
Ayurvedic View:
According to Ayurveda, Ankol is a majestic medicinal plant being used as a traditional remedy for healing a host of health maladies. It is one of the highly valued medicinal plants awarded with specific healing qualities. Right from the roots, bark, leaves, fruits, seeds and oil, all parts of this divine tree are believed to be beneficial for human body. The root, bark and oil extracted from seeds are used extensively in Ayurvedic medicines for many health issues. Roots, bark, leaves and fruits are traditionally used by Vaidyas to treat jaundice patients and the people suffering from joint pain. The seeds of Ankol are credited to have aphrodisiac action and offer strength and vitality to the body. Athletes use Ankol seeds to improve physical stamina for better performances. Oil of Ankol seeds are very effective treatment for itching, eczema, herpes and other skin problems. Traditionally the oil is used to treat snake bite, scorpion bite and even dog bite.
Medicinal Properties:
Ayurveda identified the treasure trove of medicinal properties of Ankol and used them as medicinal supplements for the benefits of common men suffering from various health issues. Traditional Vaidyas, rural herbal doctors and registered Ayurvedic practitioners used to cure several health problems of people, applying herbal medicines made from leaves, bark, fruits, seeds and seed-oil of Ankol plants. Some of the important medicinal properties of the different parts of this divine plant are as follows:
*Analgesic Properties: Oral intake of leaf juice, decantation of bark, ripen fruits and baked seeds and also external application of the seed-oil of Ankol provide immediate relief in pain of nearly all types despite of the reason behind the pain.
*Antipyretic Properties: Leaf juice, Bark juice, ripe fruits and baked seeds of Ankol are good medicine for relieving fever and body ache during fever.
*Anti-inflammatory Properties: Oral intake of leaf juice, bark decantation and fruits of Ankol relieve inflammation caused by infections and external application of seed-oil lowers the muscular inflammation caused by accidental injuries and joint pain.
*Antimicrobial Properties: Seed-oil of Ankol is applied over wounds and cuts to protect from microbial infections and germs.
*Anti-venom Properties: Crushed seeds and seed-oil of Ankol are applied over snake bite, scorpion sting and other insect bites to protect against venom and poisonous effects.
*Expectorant Properties: All parts of Ankol plant are good for throat health, decantation of leaves and bark clears the mucus and clears the throat, freshly baked seeds relieve cough and cold and seed-oil applied over chest relieves chest pain during cough.
*Laxative Properties: Ankol bark juice and ripe fruits are very good remedy against chronic constipation, they regulate bowel movement and keep the intestine clean.
*Carminative Properties: Disorder in flatulence is a major problem for some people, especially who attend social gatherings and meetings. Ankol fruits and baked seeds of Ankol clear the flatulence in affected people and provide big relief from social harassment.
*Diuretic Properties: Due to work load, bad food habits and very high calorific diets some people suffer from painful urine discharge, Ankol is a boon for them. All parts of this plant are very much beneficial for them to regulate smooth urine flow.
*Anti-aging properties: Regular use of Ankol bark juice, fruits and baked seeds promote skin health by detoxification of skin, help maintaining skin glow, reduce fine lines on the face and heal several skin disorders.
Chemical Constituents:
Nature has awarded the medicinal plant Ankol with a wealth of nutrients and bioactive compounds such as Alangine (natural mono-terpenoids with isoquinoline alkaloid) , Alangicine (a natural isoquinoline alkaloid), Ankorine (a pyridine-isoquinoline), Alangimarckine (a kind of β-Caroline), Anandamide (a neurotransmitter) , Marckine ( phytochemicals in the category of Tyrosine alkaloid) , Glycosides, Amino acids, Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats and Minerals. Presence of the above bioactive compounds and nutrients make Ankol a very effective therapeutic medicinal supplement for curing and relieving a host of health anomalies like Influenza, Headache, Constipation, Diarrhea, Urticaria, Jaundice, Arthritis, Skin disorders, Blood disorders, Hair problems, Fine lines and many more.
Side Effects and Precautions:
Though the prescribed dosage of Ankol do not have any side effect but overdose or excessive intake may cause some complications like headache, nausea, insomnia, abdominal pain etc. Ankol is a highly purgative medicinal plant so the users are advised to take proper dosage as suggested by a registered health practitioner or Ayurvedic Vaidyas. Infants, pregnant women and lactating women are strictly advised to take the medicinal preparations of Ankol or berries of this plant only after consulting the related doctors.
FAQs:
- Where are the Ankol plants found?
*Ankol trees are commonly found in dry and deciduous forests in Bharat, Sri Lanka and other Southeast Asian countries.
- How can one recognize Ankol plant?
*Ankol is a small deciduous tree/shrub with spiny branches, simple leaves, fragrant white flowers and small olive-like fruits.
- Which parts of the plant are used medicinally?
*Almost all the parts of the tree Ankol are useful from medicinal point of view but some specifications are as follows:
* Leaves and trunk-bark- used externally for treating skin problems.
*Fruits and seeds- used for purgative and anti-venom actions.
*Root bark- used as decoction for neurological disorders.
- What is the spiritual significance of Ankol tree?
*There is description of the spiritual aspects of the Ankol tree in Shiv Puran so many temples in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat has Ankol trees in their premises.
- Is it possible to grow this tree in home garden?
*Yes, of course, it can be grown in garden but the soil should be well draining and tree should receive full sun light.
- Is the Ankol tree suitable for landscaping?
*Yes, due to drought tolerance it is used in reforestation projects in dry regions.
