Meswak tree: One-stop cure to oral diseases

The abbreviated form AYUSH stands for Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy systems of India’s Medical Heritage.
Meswak tree: One-stop cure to oral diseases

CHENNAI: The abbreviated form AYUSH stands for Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy systems of India’s Medical Heritage. Unani system of medicine is a very well-known healing science, recognized by World Health Organization (WHO). Although several herbal preparations prescribed to take care various health-related issues of the human population, Unani system of medicine stands unique in treating oral diseases, including oral cancer. Among the many herbs prescribed to prevent oral disease, Salvadora Persica L, popularly known as tooth-brush tree, takes prime spot.

Brushing teeth with the branches of this tree is can prevent all kinds of oral diseases. The fresh leaves are reported to be eaten as a salad or used as a green vegetable, may also strengthen teeth and gums. Further, it is used in our traditional medicine for cough, asthma, scabies, leukoderma, piles and other diseases. The fruits are used as antidotes against poisonous bites. External application of the leaf-paste is advised in case of rheumatic pains.

The trade and popular name of this tooth-brush tree is Meswak. Meswak tree grows up to 12 m tall. The tree has many branches many that are drooping, the leaves are brittle and break with a crisp crackle when folded. The leaves are up to 6x3cm, are ovate or elliptic, often with a mucronate tip at the apex. They are greyish-green with a midrib and lateral nerves and  stalks of up to 1.8 cm long. The inflorescence is in panicles of up to 8x3 cm. The flowers are greenish-yellow, and the fruits are drupes, globose, 3 mm across, smooth, and bright red when ripe.

The trees are widely distributed in the arid and semi-arid regions of India. It is planted and worshipped as sthala vruksha at many temples in Tamil Nadu. Uga is the name in Tamil, and a village in Perambalur is named after this tree, known as Ugalur, which reveals the importance of the tree. In Islam, it is mentioned that the use of this tree is recommended by the Prophet Muhammad. In Kannada, it is known as Guvan mara; in Telugu this tree is called Vara Gogu.

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