Peelu

Sanskrit Name: Piluka, Peelu

Identification No: SDACH/HG/243

Botanical Name: Salvadora persica L.

Family Name: Salvadoraceae

Vernacular Names

• Hindi: Peelu, Jhak
• Gujarati: Pilu
• Marathi: Khakhra
• Punjabi: Jhal
• Tamil: Uukamaram
• Telugu: Pogadatravi
• Kannada: Goni-mara
• Urdu: Miswak tree
• English: Toothbrush tree / Mustard tree / Meswak tree
• Arabic: Arāk

Synonyms – Add Shloka from Bhav Prakash

पीलुर्गुलफलः स्रंसी तथा शीतफलोऽपि च |

Habitat & Distribution

• Native to: India, Middle East, Africa
• Found in: Dry, arid, and saline soils; mainly Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh
• Habitat: Xerophytic plant, grows in saline, arid, and semi-arid regions

Morphology

• Habit: Large shrub or small tree, evergreen
• Leaves: Simple, thick, ovate-elliptic, smooth margin, dull green
• Flowers: Small, greenish-yellow, in dense axillary or terminal panicles
• Fruits: Small, fleshy, globular berries, red when ripe
• Roots: Long, fibrous; used for oral hygiene (Miswak)
• Odour: Aromatic; root contains volatile mustard oil-like smell

Varieties

• Salvadora persica – Common peelu
• Salvadora oleoides – Also used in similar applications, more native to Punjab/Rajasthan

Substitute / Adulterant

• Substitute: Salvadora oleoides (locally used)
• Adulterants: Other woody roots or stems used for miswak without medicinal properties

Phytochemicals

• Alkaloids: Salvadorine
• Flavonoids
• Triterpenes: Oleanolic acid
• Volatile oils: Benzyl isothiocyanate (responsible for antimicrobial action)
• Tannins
• Sulfur compounds
• Calcium, fluoride, silica, chloride, nitrate – beneficial for dental health

Raspanchaka

• Rasa: Katu, Tikta, Kashaya, Madhura
• Guna: Laghu, Ruksha, Tikshna
• Virya: Ushna
• Vipaka: Katu
• Prabhava: Dantya-shuddhikara, Krimighna
• Dosha Shamakta: Kapha-Vata hara

Karma (Rogaghnata)

• Dantya: Improves dental hygiene
• Krimighna: Anti-parasitic, anti-microbial
• Deepana: Digestive stimulant
• Shothahara: Anti-inflammatory
• Kandughna: Relieves itching
• Mukharogahara: Cures oral diseases
• Chardighna: Anti-emetic
• Hridaya: Cardiotonic

Amayika Prayoga / Therapeutic Uses

External

• Toothbrush (Miswak): For cleaning teeth, preventing plaque, gingivitis
• Poultice of leaves: For swelling and joint pain
• Oil from seeds: For skin diseases and eczema

Internal

• Fruits: Mild laxative and diuretic
• Root powder: In chronic fever, piles, helminthiasis
• Leaves decoction: For cough, asthma, and rheumatism

Part Used

• Roots
• Leaves
• Fruits
• Seeds (oil)

Dose

• Root powder: 1–3 g
• Leaf decoction: 20–50 ml
• Fruit: 5–10 g fresh or 1–3 g powder
• Oil: External application only

Yoga / Formulations

• Danta Dhavana Choorna (tooth powders)
• Krimighna Vati

IUCN Status

• Least Concern (LC)

Research Updates

1. Dental Health & Antimicrobial Effect:
   • 2020, Saudi Dental Journal: Salvadora persica extract found effective in reducing plaque and gingivitis when compared with chlorhexidine.
2. Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Activity:
   • 2021, Journal of Ethnopharmacology: Leaf extract exhibited strong free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory effects.
3. Anti-diabetic Potential:
   • 2019, Phytotherapy Research: Aqueous extract showed blood sugar lowering effects in diabetic rats, potentially by improving insulin sensitivity.