Description
Wrigthia Tinctoria is a small deciduous tree growing in several parts of India especially Central India and Western India. The bark and leaves of the tree are reputed to have some medicinal properties. Chemical constituents are Indian; Seeds yield 30-49 % fixed oil. (3-Sitosterol. (3-amyrin and its acentate and lupeol benzoate from the bark. White flowers may appear like snow flakes on a tree. The fruits pendulous, long paired follicles joined at their tips. The hairy seeds are released as the fruit dehisces. The leaves of this tree yield a blue dye called Pala Indigo. Sweet Indrajao is called dhudi (Hindi) because of its preservative nature. Supposedly a few drops of its sap in milk prevent curdling and enhance its shelf life, without the need to refrigerate. The wood of Sweet Indrajao is extensively used for all classes of turnery. It is made into cups, plates, combs, pen holders, pencils and bed stead legs. It is commonly used for making Chennapatna toys.
The leaves are applied as a poultice for mumps and herpes and sometimes, they are also munched to relieve toothache. In folk medicine, the dried and powdered roots of Wrightia along with Phyllanthus amarus (keezhanelli) and Vitex negundo (nochi) is mixed with milk and orally administered to women for improving fertility. The bark and seeds are effective against psoriasis and non-specific dermatitis. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-dandruff properties and hence is used in hair oil preparations. The decoction of leaves and herb is used as stomachic, tonic and febrifuge. Seeds are sweet and tonic is given in seminal weakness. It is effective in psoriasis and nonspecific dermatitis. The leaves are used in various skin disorders including herpes. It has astringent and anti-inflammatory activities, used as an antibacterial in several skin disorders. It has antidandruff activity and is used in the treatment of various scalp and skin disorders.
