Aralu – Ailanthus excelsa Uses, Research

Aralu – Ailanthus excelsa is used for treating Kapha disorders and diarrhea, in Ayurveda. Some recognize this tree as Sona Patha.
Botanical Names- Ailanthus excelsa Roxb.
Family- Simarubaceae (Aralu kula)

Vernacular names

Names in different languages:
Hindi name- Adu, Ghoda Neem, Ghoda Karanj
English name –  Indian Tree of Heaven, Coramandel ailanto
Gujarati name- Ardusi, 
Tamil name- Perumaram, Agal, perumaruntu. Peru means big, Maram means tree 
Telugu name- Pedda manu
Malayalam  name- Matti Pongilyam, Peru, Perumaram
Marathi name – Maharuk
Kannada name – Dodda Mara, Dodda bevu

Sanskrit Synonyms

Pooti Vruksha – the tree yields bad odour
Deergha Vrunta – Long leaves
Mahanimba – a big tree, similar to neem
Katvanga – Having bitter taste

Kaiyadeva Nighantu and Dhanvantari Nighantu explain Aralu as a synonym of Shyonaka – Oroxylum indicum

Habitat, chemical constituents

Habitat: Above 1000 ft in India and Sri Lanka

Major chemical Constituents
Malanthine, B-Sitosterol, Vitexin Excelsin,  Glaucarubol
It contains highly oxygenated triterpenens with a bitter taste called quassinoids. They are – 1, 2 and 3, 4-dihydro excelsin 3, excelsin, glaucarubine, ailanthinone, glaucarubinone and glaucarubolone.

Classical Categorization

Charaka –
Purishasangrahaniya  – group of herbs that increase bulk of feces,
Kashayakandha – Astringent tasting group of herbs
Susruta – Ambastadi  gana
Vagbhata – Vatsakadi  gana

Medicinal properties

Ailanthus excelsa medicinal properties:
Rasa (taste) – Tikta – bitter , Kashaya – Astringent
Guna (qualities) – Rooksha – Dryness
Vipaka (taste conversion after digestion) – Katu (Pungent)
Veerya (potency) – Sheeta – Cold
Effect on Tridosha – Balances Kapha and Pitta Dosha

Part used, dosage

Part used- Stem bark
Dosage- Powder 1-3 kg, Juice 10-20 ml; solid extract 1 g

How to use?
Aralu bark is made decoction with water and administered with ghee and honey to Atisara – diarrhea
Aralu bark extract prepared with Putapaka method is useful in diarrhea.

Sanskrit verse

Uses, indications

Ailanthus excelsa uses:
Katvanga is best to cause absorption, to improve digestion strength. Charaka Sutrasthana 25

Grahi – absorbent, useful in diarrhea, IBS
Deepana – improves digestion strength
Indicated in –
Krumi – worm infestation
Kushta – skin diseases
Atisara – diarrhea, dysentery

Bark is used in treating fever.
Leaves and bark decoction is administered after delivery to stop excessive bleeding and abdominal pain.
It is used in treating bleeding disorders, menorrhagia.

Aralu bark is made decoction with water and administered with ghee and honey to Atisara – diarrhea
Aralu bark extract prepared with Putapaka method is useful in diarrhea.

Interaction with medicines, supplements

Can this be used while taking Homeopathic medicine?
Yes. This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.

Can this medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin tablets, Omega 3 fatty acids etc?
Yes. Generally, this product goes well with most dietary supplements. However, if you are taking more than one product per day, please consult your doctor for an opinion.

With western medicines
Seek your doctor’s advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic / modern) medicines. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is best to take Allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes and then take the Ayurvedic medicine.

Ayurvedic medicines

Ayurvedic medicines with Aralu as ingredient:
Dadimavaleha – an effective Ayurvedic medicine for diarrhea.
Brihat Gangadhara Churna – Herbal powder, used for diarrhea, low digestion strength etc.

Systemic Action (Sthanika Karma)

External – Anti inflammatory and Leaves possess wound cleansing properties.

Nervous System – Indicated in mental disorders, Epilepsy, Balagraha (Diseases affecting kids) etc.
Digestive system – Carminative, digestive, Absorbent, Anthelminthic, Indicated in Hemorrhoids, Dysentery , Diarrhea, Malabsorption syndrome, Helminthiasis, Bleeding per rectum, Fistula etc. Barks juice prepared by putapaka method is highly beneficial in these conditions.

Circulatory System – Indicated in Raktavata, bleeding disorders, hypertension etc.
Respiratory System – Indicated in chronic cough, chest injury, Tuberculosis, Epistaxis etc.Excretory System – Decreases urine output. Indicated in Diabetes
Reproductive system – Indicated in female genital disorders especially in Leucorrhea
Tvak – indicated in skin diseases
Tapakrama – Indicated in Jirna jvara and in Vishama jvara
Satmikarana – Indicated in Obesity and related disorders. Anti poisonous in nature.