Ailanthus excelsa

HABIT: Ailanthus excelsa Roxb is a polarly known as Mahaneem /tree of heaven it is a large deciduous tree with yellow bark peeling in irregular woody, leaves are pennately compound, 6-12inch long leaflets are 5-7.flowers are branched with green or yellowish in colour .fruits are fiat, papery pod and are 4-6com

long,1-1,5cm broad, lance-shaped, reddish brown and acute at both the end. Seed are solitary . The plantis widely spread in India and china.

(Baig, M. M. N. A REVIEW OF PRELIMINARY SCREENING OF PHYTOCONSTITUENTS OF AILANTHUS EXCELSA.)

CONSERVATION STATUS: Evaluated as 'Not Evaluated' by IUCN.

MEDICINAL USES: Leaves contain considerable amount of proteins where, cytoplasmic protein fraction can be used for human consumption; while the unfractionated and chloroplastic fractions could be utilized as a nutritious feed for ruminants and nonruminants. The bark contains wax-like, reddish brown, water soluble bitter principle, known as ailantic acid. It is given as a tonic and alternative for dyspepsia and constipation. The alcoholic extract of the leaf and stem bark at a dose of 250mg/kg body weight exhibited a remarkable antimplantation and early abortificient activity in female albino rats. It has been considered as a great discovery that several quassinoids possess potent antimalarial activity, especially against the chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum. 

(Lavhale, M. S., & Mishra, S. H. (2007). Nutritional and therapeutic potential of Ailanthus excelsa-A Review. Pharmacognosy Reviews, 1(1), 106-116.)

ETHNOBOTANICAL USES: In Chinese system of medicine bark of A. excelsa is used to treat diarrhea and dysentery, especially when there is a blood in stool. The bark has been used in Asian and Australian medicine to counteract worms, excessive vaginal discharge, malaria and asthm. It has marked antispasmodic and cardiac depressant properties. The root bark is used to cure epilepsy and heart troubles. In Africa the plant is used to treat cramps, gonorrhea epilepsy, tape warm infestation and high blood pressure. Alcoholic extract of the leaf and stem bark shows anti-implantation and early abortificient activity. Traditionally the mattress made of leaves is used as bed for children suffering from fever. In Bombay the bark and leaves are of great repute as a tonic especially in debility after child birth. They are used in dyspepsia, bronchitis and asthma. In Konkan the juice of the leaves is usually administered in khir, or the juice of the fresh bark is given with coconut juice and treacle or with aromatics or honey to stop after pains. It is also used to cure wounds and skin eruptions. The plant is used as natural antifertility agent by the Irula women in Mavanahalla region of the Nilgiri district in Tamil Nadu.

(Lavhale, M. S., & Mishra, S. H. (2007). Nutritional and therapeutic potential of Ailanthus excelsa-A Review. Pharmacognosy Reviews, 1(1), 106-116.)