Ehretia laevis

HABIT: Ehretia laevis is a medium-sized tree reaching up to the height of 12 m. Its dropping branches bear dark green colored leaves with varied size 2-7.8 cm in length and 1.2 cm to 3.8 cm in width. The shape of leaves is obtuse; with 5 to 7 lateral veins on each side of the mid rib with a slender 2-3 cm long petiole. The bark of the plant is irregular and light grey. The flowers are white, with round orange fruits when ripe or mature.

(Admuthe, N. B., & Nalwade, A. R. (2016).

CONSERVATION STATUS: Evaluated as 'Data Deficient' by IUCN.

MEDICINAL USES: The plant has many such chemicals which are useful in malignancy, obesity, blood sugar, cardiovascular diseases, blood pressure, and lipids, and muscle wasting to minimize the risk of viral infection because maximum death in COVID-19 is associated with secondary complications. The plant has the property to fight infections of fungus and bacteria which may associate with viral infections. This herbal plant has chemicals that have a very good effect on neural diseases like brain ischemia, and useful for the promotion of neural crest cell survival, sedative, anticonvulsant, anti-Alzheimer, Antiseizure, antidepressant, stroke. The plant has thyroid uptake promotion property which will be useful for thyroid patients. Anticoagulant, the antiplatelet property is useful in old age patients and bedridden patients, also this will reduce the risk in heart patients. Beneficial chemicals to treat the peptic ulcer and cataract are available in this plant. This will help with the prevention of diseases.

(Sangode, C. M., Tidke, P. C., & Umekar, M. J. A general appraisal of Ehretia laevis Roxb: An essential medicinal plant.)

ETHNOBOTANICAL USES: All parts of the E. laevis plant are used for different medicinal purposes. Decoction of the fresh root and stem bark for diphtheria treatment is used for syphilis treatment. Tender leaves paste is used for external eczema cure and milk flowers powder for aphrodisiac treatment. The plant has many applications, including decorations, spices, wood colour, stone, drugs, wines, and cosmetics. The inner bark of the tree and fruit are eaten in times of scarcity and as an antidote to vegetable poison.Leaves are applied to ulcers and in headaches. Fruit is used as, anthelmintic, diuretic, demulcent, expectorant and used in affections of urinary passages, diseases of lungs and spleen. Seeds are anthelmintic.

(Sangode, C. M., Tidke, P. C., & Umekar, M. J. A general appraisal of Ehretia laevis Roxb: An essential medicinal plant.)