Tecomella undulata

Among the indigenous communities of India and Pakistan, infusions and decoctions of *Tecomella undulata* bark and roots have long been valued for their purported medicinal effects. In India's Rajasthan state, traditional healers prepared a decoction of the inner bark, strained after a brief boil, to address liver complaints and jaundice, a practice supported in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia and noted by Agrawal & Singh (1985). Similarly, the Balochi of southwestern Pakistan historically administered root infusions as a general health tonic and bitter digestive, documented by Ahmad et al. (2008) in their comprehensive ethnobotanical survey of the region. Ethnographic research by Bibi et al. (2002) among Sindhi-speaking populations revealed that a standard practice involved boiling dried bark in water until reduced by half, drinking this decoction as a treatment for dyspepsia and mild fevers. Beyond internal uses, poultices made from crushed fresh leaves were commonly applied to ulcers and sores among rural communities in Gujarat, as reported in Ahmed et al. (2015) and Kiran et al. (2013).

For a mild bark decoction traditionally used for digestive discomfort and fever reduction, the preparation is straightforward: coarsely chop 5 grams of dried bark (available online or in herbal shops as 'rohida'), add it to 200 millilitres of fresh water in a saucepan, and bring the mixture gently to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10–12 minutes, then cool and strain the liquid. This yields a bitter, reddish-brown infusion with an approximate yield of 150 millilitres, intended for short-term use of a small cup, warm, up to twice daily. It is essential to exercise caution: while historical texts mention its use, modern pharmacological studies indicate potential hepatoprotective effects, and the plant contains compounds that may interact with medications or be unsuitable during pregnancy. Consulting a qualified herbalist or physician before regular consumption is advised.

Scientific investigations into *Tecomella undulata* support traditional uses by identifying key active constituents in its bark and leaves. Notably, acteoside (a phenylethanoid glycoside) exhibits potent antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties, validating its historical use for liver ailments as described by Joshi et al. (2009). Flavonoids such as luteolin and apigenin provide anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity, underpinning the external application for wounds, while iridoid glycosides contribute to its documented bitter digestive effects, reviewed by Ahmad et al. (2008). These well-established phytochemicals provide a plausible biological basis for the documented ethnomedicinal applications. Research on *Tecomella undulata* remains active, with ongoing studies exploring its antidiabetic and hepatoprotective potential, and its dried bark and root preparations continue to be available commercially in some South Asian herbal markets under regional names like 'Rohida' or 'Marmad', signifying its enduring relevance in both traditional practice and contemporary phytomedicine.

Common products:
Timber from the heartwood of mature trees; fuelwood and charcoal.

Industrial and craft applications:
Durable timber used in furniture, construction, beams, poles, cart axles, agricultural implements, and tool handles; valued for its high density, strength, and resistance to decay and insects, making it suitable for long-lived items and outdoor applications.

Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
No established non-medicinal food or beverage uses reported for Tecomella undulata.

Colorants and tanning:
No established dye or tannin applications are documented.

Wood and fiber:
Use is concentrated in timber, with wood characterized by high density and durability rather than fiber or bast fiber applications.

Fragrance and cosmetics:
No documented fragrance or cosmetic applications.

Properties relevant to use:
High density (typically ~0.9–1.0 g/cm³) and structural strength confer load-bearing performance in furniture and construction; natural resistance to decay and insects enhances service life in outdoor and soil-contact applications; forms charcoal with low-smoke characteristics.

Sustainability and sourcing:
Widely recognized for its ecological and social value in arid and semi-arid landscapes; native distribution in the Indian subcontinent and parts of the Middle East and Africa; widely planted in community forestry, afforestation, soil stabilization, and bunding programs to reclaim degraded lands and support rural livelihoods; species is usually protected in village commons and religious groves.

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No distribution data was extracted from POWO/KEW yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

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