GAMBHARI (WHITE TEAK)

Description

Gmelina arborea grows naturally throughout India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and in southern provinces of China. It is found at altitudes from sea level to 1,500 metres (5,000 ft).[1] Since the 1960s, it has been introduced extensively as fast-growing timber trees in Brazil, Gambia, Honduras, Ivory Coast, Malaysia, Malawi, Nigeria, the Philippines, and Sierra Leone. It is also planted in gardens and avenues.
It is a moderately deciduous tree with straight trunk spreading branches, which form large shady crown with whitish grey corky lenticellate bark, exfoliating in thin and numerous flakes.
It has a clear bole of 6.0-9.0 meter, and a girth 1.5-2.5m. Branchlets and young parts are clothed with fine white mealy pubescence. Leaves are simple, opposite, broadly ovate, cordate, glandular, glabrous above when mature and fulvous-tomentose beneath.
It attains its largest dimension in the mixed forests of moist region as in the eastern sub Himalayan track, Assam and elsewhere in south India.
Properties-
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Ayurvedic Properties
Rasa : madhura, Kashaya, tikta
Guna : guru
Virya : ushna
Vipaka : katu

Karma: Deepana (Appetizer), paachana (Digestive), medhya, bhedana, shosha, vedanasthapana, anulomana, snehana, shothahara.
Pharmacological Action: The root and bark of Gmelina arborea are stomachic, galactagogue laxative and anthelmintic; improve appetite, useful in hallucination, piles, abdominal pains, burning sensations, fevers, ‘tridosha’ and urinary discharge
Chemical composition –
Lignans, such as 6″ – bromo – isoarboreol, 4-hydroxysesamin, 4,8-dihydroxysesamin, 1,4- dihydroxysesamin (gummadiol), 2-piperonyl-3-hydroxymethyl-4-(α-hydroxy-3,4- methylenedioxybenzyl)-4-hydroxytetrahydrofuran and the 4-O-glucoside of 4- epigummadiol, can be isolated from the heartwood of Gmelina arborea.The parent compounds are arboreol or gmelanone. Umbelliferone 7-apiosylglucoside can be isolated from the root.
Five constituents, isolated from the heartwood of G. arborea, (+)-7′-O-ethyl arboreol, (+)- paulownin, (+)-gmelinol, (+)-epieudesmin and (−)-β-sitosterol, show antifungal activity against Trametes versicolor.

Benefits –

1. Arthritis
   Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints which may cause pain and swelling. It can affect one joint or multiple joints. Gambhari root is an effective herbal remedy used for reducing painful conditions like osteoarthritis, a form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is known as Sandhivata in Ayurveda. It occurs due to an aggravation of Vata dosha, causing pain, swelling, and joint mobility. Taking Gambhari helps to balance the aggravated Vata due to its Vata balancing properties. This provides aid in managing the symptoms of arthritis.
2. Male Sexual Dysfunction
   Sexual Dysfunction in men can be in the form of loss of libido (i.e., having no or very little inclination towards a sexual act). There can also be a low erection time or semen expelled soon after sexual activity. This is also referred to as ‘early discharge or premature ejaculation. Taking Gambhari fruit helps to correct male sexual dysfunction and also improves stamina. This is due to its Vrishya (aphrodisiac) property.
3. Heart disease
   Heart diseases or cardiovascular diseases are often caused by the buildup of plaque, a waxy substance, inside the lining of arteries. Gambhari Fruit helps to control the symptoms of heart disease and improve heart function properly. It also helps maintain normal blood pressure and heart rate. Regular use of Gambhari improves the strength of cardiac muscles that helps to keep healthy heart function. This is due to its Hridya (cardiac tonic) property.
4. Indigestion
   Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia and stomach upset, is a state of an incomplete process of digestion. It can be characterized by a sensation of pain or discomfort in the upper abdominal region accompanied by a feeling of fullness, bloating, and flatulence. According to Ayurveda, indigestion is termed as Agnimandya. This occurs due to an imbalance of Pitta dosha. Whenever the consumed food is left undigested due to Mand Agni (low digestive fire), it results in the formation of Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion). Gambari roots help to improve digestive fire and reduce the formation of Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion) due to its Ushna (hot) nature.