Muchkund

Description:

The tree has several uses in medicine as the gum and the bitter, aromatic leaves are reported to have medicinal properties. The bark is a febrifuge and can be used as a treatment against asthma, bronchitis and dysentery. 

The leaves and bark are also in good repute as a tonic that is used after labor. The juice of the leaves and fresh bark is used as a remedy for after-pains. The tree is also used in matchstick industry, as fodder for goats, and is one of the best tree used to trap Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM Medicinal uses:  Bark used in India as a powerful fever-cure and tonic. 

Leaves and bark in good repute as a tonic after labor, and the juice of the leaves and fresh bark employed by the Konkans as a remedy for after-pains. Description: A large deciduous tree growing more than 70 ft. tall. Tree trunk is light grey and smooth. Large trees shows grey-brownish, yellowish, rough bark. 

Leaves alternate, pinnately compound, large, 30-60 cm or more in length, leaflets are 10-12 or more in pairs with long stalk, ovate or lanceolate with unequal at base, often curved, glandular, with toothed edges or margin lobed. 

Flowers in clusters, drooping from leaf bases, shorter than leaves, much branched, Sepals triangular. Petals ovate-lanceolate, glabrous. Filaments glabrous. Stamens inserted at the base of disc. Ovary deeply lobed. Fruits samara, single seeded. Seed compressed with scanty albumen.

Distribution: A native to South Asia especially in Bangladesh & South India Medicinal Uses: Toddy has anthelmintic, antiarthritic, antibacterial, anticancer, antidiabetic, antifungal, antipyretic and having wound healing activities. 

Note: Toddy leaves are used for thatching, mats, baskets, fans, hats, umbrellas. Interestingly old Tamil & Telugu literature was written in preserved palm leaves of Borassus. This tree is highly respected as ‘Celestial tree’ in Tamil culture because all parts of palm is useful.

In Cambodia this palm is very common and even cultivated near world famous Angkor Wat temple. In Indonesia this palm is the symbol of South Sulawesi province. In most of the schools of West Bengal & Bangladesh the leaves a Sahaj Path is used as a staple reading material.