The New Nation - Internet Edition

-Jamayet Ali

Tejpat is a medium-sized evergreen tree with fragrant oblong lanceolate leaves, occasionally planted in gardens for its leaves in many places. But the leaves which constitute the actual drug, are readily available as a commercial commodity everywhere in the country. The plants are raised from seeds sown in nursery beds in March-April. Seedlings appear 30-45 days after sowing and are transplanted when 4-5 years old. Sufficient shade is provided in the early stages of growth and shade trees are cleared after 8-9 years. The fields are not usually manured; under-growth in occasionally removed. The leaves are ready for harvesting when the trees become 10 years old, and they continue to bear for a century. The leaves are collected every year from young plants and in alternate years from old and weak ones. Collections are made in dry weather from October to till March. Continuous rain diminishes the aroma of the leaves. Small branches with leaves are dried in the sun for 3 or 4 days and tied up into bundles for collection.

Botanical name of Tejpat is Cinnammomum Tamala. The tree is cultivated in all districts of the country. It is also found wild in Tropical and subtropical Himalaya, 3000-7800 ft., Sylhet and Khasia hills, 3000 - 4000 ft. The leaves are commonly used as a condiment, but they are also employed in calico-printing in combination with marabolans. The outer bark of the plant yields on distillation an essential oil. It is chiefly used in the manufacture of soap, especially what is called Military soap. The oil from bark contains cinnamaldehyde (70-85 %) as a major constituent. The leaves are mainly used as spice. The dried leaves act as anti-oxidant to oils and fats.

Medicinal Properties: The leaf is bitter, sweetish; heating, alexiteric; useful in "vata", scabies, diseases of the anus and rectum, "tridosha", piles, heart troubles, ozoena, bad taste (Ayurveda). The leaf has a sharp taste; tonic to the brain, anthelmintic, diuretic; good for the liver and spleen; useful in inflammation, sore eyes; stops salivation (Yunani). In the Punjab, the leaves are used in rheumatism, being considered stimulant; also in colic and diarrhoea. The bark is given for gonorrhoea. Given in decoction or powder in suppression of lochia after child-birth, with much benefit. The oil from the bark is ineffective as an anthelmintic. The leaves are not an antidote to either snakevenom or to scorpion-venom. (Indian Medicinal Plants, K.R. Kirtikar & B.D. Basu, Vol. Ill, 2146-47)

Medicine: The bark is given for gonorrhoea, and the leaves are used in rheumatism as a stimulant. The latter "are supposed to have furnished the Folia malabathri. They are held in considerable repute by the ancients for their stomachic and sudorific properties. They partake of the aroma and pungency, and probably also of the carminative properties, of cinnamon." They are used in flatulent colic, diarrhoea and other diseases arising from the disordered state of the bowels. They resemble cloves closely in medicinal properties, for which they may be substituted. Baden Powel Powell says that the leaves are considered by the natives hot and cardiac, and that they are useful in colic, indigestion, and nausea. The bark is prescribed by the hakims in debility of the stomach, enlargement of the spleen, affections of the nerves or heart, pains in the womb, also in retention of urine and catamenia, and bites of serpents and poisoning by opium. An aromatic oil extracted from the fruit and leaves is used as a medicine.

Special Opinions: "The leaves in Kashmir, Barg-i-Taj, are employed as a substitute for Chavica Betle, Retz" (Surgeon-Major J.E.T. Aitchison, Simla). "Dalchini, used in dispensary in place of true cinnamon; equally efficacious" (Assistant Surgeon Nehal Sing, Saharunpore). "Used with long-pepper and honey in coughs and colds, also in bronchitis and hayasthma" (Brigade Surgeon J.H. Thornton, Monghyr). "Given in decoction or powder in suppression of lochia after child-birth, with much benefit" (Surgeon Major J.J.L. Ratton, Salem) "Is used in coughs, flatulence, and fevers" (Surgeon Major D.R. Thomson, Madras). (Dictionary of the Economic Products of India, Watt, Vol. II, 321, 322)

Properties and uses: Leaves are carminative, stimulant, diuretic, diaphoretic, lactagogue and aromatic. They are used in the treatment of colic, diarrhoea, anoerexia, skin diseases, sore throat, coughs and colds. The leaves show antibacterial anti fungal activities. They are also used for treating scorpion-sting. The leaves also possess hypoglycaemic properties. Ethanolic extract of the leaves significantly lowers plasma glucose level and exhibits anti-hypercholesterolemic and anti-hypertriglyceridemic effects in hyperglycemic rats. Being effective diuretic and emmenagogue the leaves are applied over the stomach and lower regions to bring about urine and menses. The bark is used in the treatment of gonorrhoea. It also acts as a carminative. Leaves and bark mixed with tea cures coughs and colds. Essential oil exhibits anti bacterial and anti fungal activities. (Medicinal Plants of Bangladesh, Abdul Ghani, Second Edition, 164)

Medicinal values: The leaves are carminative, and are used in colic, diarrhoea and rheumatism. They are considered hot and cardiac and are used with long pepper and honey in cough and cold. The leaf powder is reported to have distinct hypoglycaemic action.

Two teaspoonfuls of the powder given to diabetic patients four times a day for one month, accompanied by controlled diet, significantly reduces the blood sugar level and helps in release or manufacture of more insuline. The bark is aromatic. It is coarser than the bark of true cinnamon and is one of its common adulterants. It is carminative and is also given for gonorrhoea (Wealth of India, Raw Materials, Vol. III, 581).