Indian Ash Tree (Jingini) – Uses, Remedies, Side Effects

By Dr Renita D’souza
Jingini (Lannea coromandelica) is commonly known as Indian Ash Tree is traditionally a well known medicinal plant. It is widely used to heal wounds, diarrhoea, heart diseases, sprains, gout, general debility, dyspepsia, leprosy etc.

Introduction

It is used as an antidote in coma caused by narcotics. Spiritually it is also used to avoid evil spirits. Stem bark is used to treat seminal weakness and excessive seminal emissions.

Botanical Name – Lannea coromandelica
Synonyms – Odina woodier, Dialium coromandelicum, Lannea grandis
Family – Anacardiaceae

Medicinal Qualities

Taste – Madhura (sweet), Kashaya (astringent), Patu (salty)
Vipaka (taste after digestion) – Katu (pungent)
Virya (potency) – Ushna (hot)
Special quality
Yonishodhani – cures female reproductive tract infections

Traditional Uses of jinghini
Vrana – wounds
Hrdroga – heart diseases
Atisara – diarrhoea

Effect on Doshas
Balances Vata dosha.

Morphology of Lannea coromandelica

Lannea coromandelica is medium sized deciduous tree growing up to 14 m in height. Leaves are alternately arranged, pinnate and are crowded at the ends of branches. There are 7-9 oblong – ovate leaflets. Bark is grey or whitish in colour. Flowers are small, yellowish green in colour. Fruits 1-2 cm long, red, compressed, kidney shaped and single seeded.

Traditional Remedies of Moi

• Decoction of bark taken orally relieves excess thirst and diarrhoea.
• Gargling with the bark decoction relieves toothache, cough and sore throat.
• Oil obtained from bark decoction is applied externally over chronic wounds.
• Leaves are boiled in and tied over the swellings.
• Bark juice applied externally on cut wounds, heals the wound.
• Its resin is also used to relieve diarrhoea.
• In muscle sprain, jingini gum is made paste with coconut water and applied externally.
• Bark of Jinghin tree is made used in skin diseases by Poraja people.
• In stomach ache, its tender leaves and roots are used by Poraja and Gadaba communities people.
• To treat injuries and hematochizia i.e passing blood in or with the stools, decotion and macerated extracts of leaves and bark of the plant is given orally.
• In ulcers, leaf juice is used orally. It is also applied to relieve toothache.
• To relieve body pains, its stem bark paste is applied externally.
• Bark is also used as bandage in fractures.
• To relieve pain, gum is soaked in water and rubbed on stone and applied over the painful part of the body.
• The juice obtained by crushing the inner bark of the stem is squeezed over cuts to stop bleeding and to prevent tetanus.
• The juice of green branches of Jingini is given as an emetic in cases of coma caused by narcotics.

Gum (Niryasa) of Jinghini

The gum obtained from Jingini plant bark is called ‘Jingini Gum’.
Gum used for nasal instillation relieves shoulder and neck pain (K. N).
Gum obtained by making shallow cuts over the bark.

Other Uses

• Stem bark is used for tanning.
• Hardwood is used for making bleachable pulp and to feed the wild silkworms.
• Crushed fruits mixed in water is used as fish poison.

Part used
Bark, Leaves, Gum

Side Effects of Jinghini

There are no recorded side effects.
However, high oral dosage can cause stomach irritation. It may also cause constipation due to its astringent property.

Pharmacological Activity of Lannea coromandelica
Lannea coromandelica possess Anti-inflammatory, Anti-microbial, Hypotensive, Wound healing and Aphrodisiac activities.

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 of the 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.

Names in different languages

Sanskrit Name – Jingini
English Name – Indian Ash Tree, Wodier
Hindi Name – Jingana, jingan, jingini, Mohin
Marathi Name – Moi, Mui, Shemat, Shimati, Shinti
Gujarati Name – Mavedi, Shimpati
Kannada Name – Udi mara, Godda, Guvina, Guratika
Bengali Name – Jiol
Punjabi Name – jhingan, kambal, kamlai, kembel
Telugu Name – Gampena, Oddimaanu, Ajasrngi
Tamil Name – Oti, Kalasan
Malyalam Name – Otiyan-maram
Manipuri Name – Aaman
Oriya – Indramai, Moi
Konkani Name – Moi
Coorg Name – Goddana-mara
Assam – Jia
Nepali Name – Halonre, thulo dabdabe
Pakistani Name – Kembal

Distribution, chemistry, research

Distribution
Lannea coromandelica is distributed throughout India.

Chemical constituents
Lannea coromandelica contains Flavonoids, Tannins, Terpenoids, Gums, and Polysaccharides.

Research
A review article about research works done on the plant Lannea coromandelica (A)

Antimicrobial Activity – A research study done to investigate the antimicrobial effect of Lannea coromandelica on microbes which cause female reproductive tract infection have concluded that L. coromandelica Houtt. Merrill. have antibacterial activity against S. pyogens, S. aureus and antifungal property against C. albicans.

Sanskrit synonyms

Jingini, jhingi, jhinghini, suniryasa
Pramodini, jhilli, modaki, Gudamanjari
Jaatasara, Kalusha, Manjari, Kamamanjari
Parvatiya, Suniryasa, Madanamanjari

Classical categorisation
Bhavaprakasha Nighantu – Vatadi varga
Kaiyadeva Nighantu – Aushadi varga
Shodala Nighantu – Amradi Varga
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