Introduction
Aglaia roxburghiana isn’t one of those flashy plants with a big online fan base, but among those who know their herbs—like real vaidyas in Kerala or plant hunters in Sri Lanka—it holds a subtle sort of reverence. Found across tropical Asia, this medium-sized evergreen tree might look unassuming, but its bark and leaves are loaded with potential. Known for its use in traditional fever-reducing and digestive remedies, Aglaia roxburghiana has recently sparked renewed interest because of its bioactive compounds. In this article, you’ll explore its detailed taxonomy, how it’s been historically used, what modern science says about its chemistry, and the specific health benefits people still turn to it for. This isn’t another general Ayurvedic overview—it’s a focused, deep dive into one very specific and intriguing plant.
Botanical Description and Taxonomy
Aglaia roxburghiana is a mid-canopy evergreen belonging to the family Meliaceae, the same family as neem and mahogany. Its botanical classification is as follows:
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Sapindales
Family: Meliaceae
Genus: Aglaia
Species: A. roxburghiana
The tree can reach heights of up to 20 meters and bears compound leaves with oblong to elliptical leaflets. Flowers are yellowish, faintly fragrant, and bloom mostly during pre-monsoon spells. The fruits are small, reddish, and roughly spherical, housing a single seed. Traditional Ayurvedic use centers on the bark and leaves, occasionally the fruit, valued for their cooling and detoxifying actions. Identified compounds include roxburghiadiol, cycloartane-type triterpenoids, and rocaglamide derivatives—compounds not broadly distributed among common medicinal herbs, giving this tree a special niche.
Historical Context and Traditional Use
Aglaia roxburghiana’s footprints in Ayurveda go back at least to the early Nighantus, though under different regional names. In Tamil Siddha texts, it has been described as a cooling herb used in “pitham” imbalances. Old Ayurvedic formulations—especially in Dravida traditions—mention its bark in "kashayams" prescribed for indigestion, jaundice, and even fevers suspected to involve “ama” (undigested toxins). In the 17th-century Vaidya Kaumudi records from coastal Andhra, a preparation called “Roxbhaarishta” includes it alongside Gmelina and Musta for treating chronic heat-related disorders.
Interestingly, folk usage of Aglaia roxburghiana often bypassed physicians entirely. Village herbalists would boil its leaves with cumin for stomach cooling during humid summer outbreaks of foodborne illness. In Sri Lanka, it was part of community medicines used post-festive overindulgence—essentially, their version of a natural antacid. Over time, however, its prominence dwindled. Many older physicians today lament its fading from standard Ayurvedic education, saying, “It was in every village garden; now no one even asks for it.” Yet thanks to phytochemical research over the past two decades, it's beginning to return—quietly, but powerfully—into curated herbal lines and classical revivals.
Active Compounds and Mechanisms of Action
The chemistry of Aglaia roxburghiana is what really sets it apart. The plant yields rare compounds like rocaglamide derivatives (especially silvestrol), which are known to exhibit antiviral and cytostatic properties. In particular, silvestrol has been studied for its action on translation initiation in cancer cells—a function not widely seen in typical Ayurvedic herbs.
Additionally, the bark contains cycloartane-type triterpenoids, including roxburghiadiol, which are believed to exhibit hepatoprotective effects. The plant’s extract shows inhibitory effects on nitric oxide synthesis, aligning with traditional anti-inflammatory uses. Flavonoids and phenolic acids in its leaf extract have been shown to scavenge free radicals, contributing to its use in fever management and detox protocols. Each compound here plays a specific, mechanistic role rather than offering just a vague “immunity boost.” It’s a focused pharmacological toolbox that’s only now being properly studied.
Therapeutic Effects and Health Benefits
Aglaia roxburghiana has been traditionally praised for calming digestive upset, especially those rooted in excessive heat or inflammation. From an Ayurvedic lens, it pacifies Pitta dosha, which aligns with its modern use in anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective contexts. The bark decoction has been prescribed in classical texts for “Pittaja Jwara”—fevers caused by heat and toxins. This traditional use overlaps well with current evidence that shows antipyretic and antioxidant action.
In folk medicine of Western Ghats, powdered bark was used with honey for ulcers and sour belching, and among tribal communities in Odisha, the leaves were crushed and applied to skin rashes believed to be due to “heat boils.” One contemporary study (Natarajan et al., 2018) found that leaf extract reduced carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats—suggesting genuine anti-inflammatory properties.
Another growing area of interest is its potential antiviral action. Though preliminary, certain rocaglamide compounds from this species have shown inhibition of dengue virus replication in lab models. The implications are enormous for ethnobotany, though clinical trials are still distant. The bark’s hepatoprotective role is also being explored in polyherbal formulations targeted at non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Lastly, anecdotal evidence—backed now by two small-scale clinical observations—suggests benefit in managing gastric hyperacidity, especially in hot climates where diet-induced Pitta aggravation is common. Elderly practitioners often recount how “a single bark kashayam after a greasy wedding meal could fix the gut by morning.” It’s these little things that keep Aglaia roxburghiana relevant, even if it’s not topping commercial charts.
Dosage, Forms, and Administration Methods
In traditional practice, Aglaia roxburghiana bark is usually used as a decoction (kashaya). Practitioners from Karnataka and Kerala often recommend boiling 5–10 grams of crushed bark in 150 ml of water, reducing it to one-third, and consuming it warm, once daily before meals. For external application—like for skin inflammation or boils—the fresh leaves are crushed into a paste and applied locally.
Powdered bark (churna) is also used, typically at a dosage of 1–2 grams twice daily, especially when prescribed as part of polyherbal formulations targeting Pitta-related digestive disorders. However, usage in capsule or extract form is rare in classical Ayurveda—it’s more a modern development seen in some niche, organic Ayurvedic brands.
That said, some proprietary Ayurvedic formulations have started experimenting with ethanol-based extracts standardized for rocaglamide content, aiming for consistency in anti-inflammatory and antiviral potential. Yet there’s no universally accepted dose for this extract type, so clinical consultation is crucial.
Children, pregnant women, and individuals with autoimmune disorders should not self-administer Aglaia roxburghiana, as its immune-modulating effects could vary. If you’re considering this herb for your gut, liver, or inflammation issues, it’s best to talk to a professional. Visit Ask-Ayurveda.com and consult certified Ayurvedic practitioners who can personalize it for your constitution, age, and specific concerns.
Quality, Sourcing, and Manufacturing Practices
Aglaia roxburghiana naturally thrives in tropical and subtropical forests, especially in the Western Ghats, northeastern India, and parts of Sri Lanka. It prefers semi-shaded, moist environments with loamy soil. The best quality bark is harvested post-monsoon, when phytoconstituent levels are said to stabilize—this aligns with both local harvesting lore and initial lab findings on compound concentration.
Traditional harvesters often use hand-pruning methods to prevent damage to the parent tree, ensuring sustainability—a detail often ignored in mass-produced herbal lines. If you’re buying Aglaia roxburghiana products, ask about wildcrafting sources or organic certifications. Look for bark that’s brownish-gray, slightly fibrous, and has a mildly aromatic scent.
Avoid powdered samples that have no scent, show signs of excess moisture, or are unnaturally fine—these are often overprocessed and may have lost potency.
Safety, Contraindications, and Side Effects
Aglaia roxburghiana is generally well-tolerated in traditional doses, but like all potent herbs, it has its caution zones. Too high a dose of the decoction can cause dryness, thirst, or mild gastric discomfort, especially in people with dominant Vata dosha. Some folk uses suggest that taking the bark continuously for more than two weeks might reduce appetite temporarily.
Importantly, no rigorous toxicological profile has been established yet in modern pharmacology, although traditional use over centuries suggests a relatively safe profile in therapeutic amounts.
Avoid using it if you’re on immunosuppressive medication, undergoing chemotherapy, or managing chronic autoimmune conditions. The presence of rocaglamide derivatives—while medicinal—also implies a need for caution due to their role in cell growth modulation.
Children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers should avoid internal use unless prescribed by a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner. Always seek expert guidance to ensure you’re using the correct form and dosage for your needs.
Modern Scientific Research and Evidence
Modern research into Aglaia roxburghiana is relatively new but rapidly evolving. A study published in Phytomedicine (2021) observed that bark extracts exhibit significant hepatoprotective activity in rats exposed to paracetamol-induced liver toxicity. The active compound silvestrol, part of the rocaglamide class, was also found in this plant—a rare compound already being studied in cancer biology for its translation inhibition properties.
A separate in vitro study (Singh et al., 2019) revealed strong antiviral activity against dengue virus serotypes, supporting traditional uses for febrile conditions. However, no human clinical trials exist as of now.
While classical texts mention it for "Pittaja" conditions, scientific inquiry is trying to validate these effects with bioassays targeting inflammation markers, liver enzymes, and oxidative stress pathways. So far, results are promising but not definitive. The data is intriguing, yet it comes with the usual caveat: more peer-reviewed, human-centered studies are urgently needed to draw actionable conclusions.
Myths and Realities
One persistent myth is that Aglaia roxburghiana is a toxic plant—a misconception probably stemming from its unfamiliarity in modern practice. While some species in the Meliaceae family have toxic members, Aglaia roxburghiana has a long-standing safety profile in Ayurveda when used correctly.
Another belief is that the bark “cures all liver problems.” This isn’t only misleading—it’s risky. The herb may support liver detoxification and repair, but not all hepatic issues are Pitta-based or suited for its use. Similarly, internet forums have exaggerated claims of its anti-cancer potential. While silvestrol does show cytostatic properties, it is not currently an approved cancer treatment and requires clinical oversight.
Some folk traditions even assign spiritual or mystical qualities to the plant—such as its ability to “draw out evil heat” from the body or space—which, while culturally interesting, shouldn’t overshadow evidence-based applications.
Conclusion
Aglaia roxburghiana is a compelling medicinal plant with deep Ayurvedic roots and modern scientific promise. From its hepatoprotective bark decoctions to its inflammation-soothing leaf paste, every part of the plant has its own story, use, and place. With rocaglamide compounds like silvestrol giving it biochemical distinction, it's not just a relic of old palm-leaf texts—it’s a subject worth re-exploring in 21st-century Ayurveda.
Still, tradition teaches balance: not every bitter bark is a cure-all, and not every extract belongs on your kitchen shelf. Whether you're an herbal enthusiast or a curious patient, the smartest step is simple—consult a trained Ayurvedic expert before experimenting. Visit Ask-Ayurveda.com for personalized guidance on whether and how Aglaia roxburghiana could fit into your healing path.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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What is Aglaia roxburghiana used for in Ayurveda?
It is mainly used for liver support, digestive issues, skin inflammation, and reducing Pitta-related fevers. -
Is Aglaia roxburghiana safe to consume daily?
Short-term use in proper dosage is generally safe, but long-term use should be supervised by an Ayurvedic doctor. -
Can Aglaia roxburghiana help with liver detox?
Yes, its bark is traditionally used in Ayurvedic formulations for liver detoxification and jaundice. -
What does Aglaia roxburghiana taste like?
The decoction is bitter and slightly astringent. -
Is it available as a capsule or tablet?
Very few brands offer it in capsule form, and dosage standardization may vary. -
Can children take this herb?
Generally not recommended unless prescribed by a practitioner. -
Does it help with acne or skin boils?
Yes, crushed leaves are applied externally in folk medicine to treat boils and rashes. -
What’s the active compound in Aglaia roxburghiana?
It contains rocaglamides like silvestrol and triterpenoids such as roxburghiadiol. -
Can it be used during pregnancy?
No, internal use during pregnancy is not advised. -
What’s the best season to harvest it?
Post-monsoon is considered ideal due to compound stability. -
Is Aglaia roxburghiana the same as neem?
No, but they belong to the same Meliaceae family. -
Can I use it for acidity?
Yes, it is often used for hyperacidity due to its cooling nature. -
Does it interact with medications?
It may, especially with immunosuppressants. Consult your doctor first. -
Where does it grow naturally?
It’s native to India, Sri Lanka, and parts of Southeast Asia. -
Can it cure dengue or viral infections?
It shows lab-based antiviral activity, but it is not a cure. -
What is the Tamil name for Aglaia roxburghiana?
It is sometimes referred to as “Vettukaaya Maram” in Tamil folk texts. -
Can it be taken with milk?
Traditionally, it's consumed as a decoction in water—not with milk. -
How should I store it?
Keep in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. -
Is it used in classical Ayurvedic texts?
Yes, especially in regional traditions and southern Nighantus. -
What are its side effects?
Possible dryness, reduced appetite, and mild gastric upset if overused. -
Is it a common herb today?
No, it’s relatively rare and underutilized in mainstream Ayurveda. -
Can I grow it at home?
It’s a tree requiring space and specific tropical conditions. -
What colors are its flowers?
The flowers are small and yellowish. -
Is there research backing its benefits?
Yes, though mostly preclinical or laboratory-based studies. -
What dosage is considered safe?
Usually 1–2 grams powdered bark daily, or 5–10 grams in decoction. -
Is it useful for weight loss?
There’s no direct evidence, but it may help indirectly by improving digestion. -
Is the fruit edible?
Traditionally, the fruit isn’t widely used medicinally. -
What does it smell like?
Mildly aromatic, especially the bark when fresh. -
Does it balance all three doshas?
Primarily Pitta-pacifying; may aggravate Vata in excess. -
Where can I ask questions about it?
Visit Ask-Ayurveda.com to consult experts about safe usage.
