Pongamia pinnata Medicinal Uses

In this article we will discuss about the Pongamia pinnata :- common name, scientific name, medicinal uses and photos.

Common name

• English: Indian beech tree, Hongay oil tree
• Tamil: Ponga Maram, Punkai
• Hindi: Karanj
• Kannada: Honge
• Marathi: karanj
• Telugu: kaadeputhige
• Malayalam: Minnari, Pongam

Scientific name

• Name: Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre
• Family: Fabaceae (pea family)
• Synonyms: Millettia pinnata, Pongamia glabra, Derris indica, Cytisus pinnatus

Pongamia pinnata Medicinal Uses

• Liquid extraction of stem bark demonstrates important CNS sedative and antipyretic activity
• Leaves are digestive, stomach, antihelmintic and are suitable for diarrhea, leprosy, dyspepsia and cough.
• The flowers are useful in relieving dipsia with diabetes and reducing vata and kapha.
• The seeds are antihelmintic, bitter, acrid, haematinic and carminative. They are useful for infections, chronic fever, anemia and hemorrhoids
• The oil is antihelmintic, styptic and is recommended for opthalmia, leprosy, ulcers, herpes and lumbago.
• Root used for cleansing wounds, brushing teeth, tightening gums and gonorrhea
• The leaf juice is used for colds, coughs, diarrhea, dyspepsia, constipation, gonorrhea, leprosy
• The fruit is to cure whooping cough of children.

Other Uses

• Leaves are used to make roof of festival pandhals
• Bark is used to wash the idols of Gods
• The leaf used as feed for cattle
• The seed oil used as cooking oil and lamps, as lubricants, water-repellent, pesticide and soap making, candles and tanning industry