Atalantia wightii

Among tribal communities in the Western Ghats, leaf infusions and bark decoctions of Atalantia wightii are traditionally taken for colic, dyspepsia, and low-grade fevers; Singh & Singh, 2008, report these preparations from Konkan and Mysore peoples. In Tamil Nadu’s coastal hamlets, leaf infusions have long been used as a carminative, while bark infusions are taken during malarial-type fevers; The Wealth of India, 1942–1976, records such use among rural practitioners in peninsular India. In eastern Kerala and northern Sri Lanka, a weak decoction of young bark or leaf is said to calm digestive spasms, and traditional healers also chew the fresh bark and spit the macerate over wounds; de Silva et al., 2009, document the wound spit-method and cold infusions in southern Sri Lanka.

A practical mild tea that aligns with these customs can be made by combining 5–8 fresh leaves (about 10 g) or 5 g of dried leaf with 250 ml of simmering water, allowing the liquid to cool slightly before steeping for 10–12 minutes. If using bark, substitute 2–3 g of shaved or powdered bark and simmer gently for 10 minutes after the water starts to boil. Because the species contains coumarins, hepatotoxic furanocoumarins, and other irritating constituents, limit use to short courses of a few days, avoid during pregnancy and lactation, and discontinue if digestive irritation or signs of photosensitivity appear.

Active constituents isolated from Atalantia wightii include furanocoumarins such as bergapten and imperatorin, flavonoids including quercetin, limonin-type limonoids, coumarins, and volatile oils rich in citronellal and geranial; these compounds explain the reported spasmolytic, antimicrobial, and antimalarial activities (Jain et al., 2007; Pitchai et al., 2010).

Modern relevance and ongoing traditional practice are reflected in continued use in parts of the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka, emerging pharmacological studies on antimalarial and spasmolytic activity (Pitchai et al., 2010), and the slow emergence of standardized extracts and isolated limonoids in research and supplement markets.

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