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ARALU

Botanical Name: Ailanthus excelsa Roxb.

Family Name: Simarubaceae

Identification No.: SDACH/HG/295

Vernacular Names:

  • Hindi: Aralu
  • Marathi: Maharukh
  • Tamil: Perumarundu
  • Telugu: Pedda Manu
  • Kannada: Doddamaruda
  • Malayalam: Perumaruthu
  • English: Tree of Heaven, Indian Tree of Heaven

Habitat & Distribution:


Widely distributed in India, especially in dry and arid zones including Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and parts of South India. Grows up to 18-25 m in height, common in deciduous forests and planted as a shade or avenue tree.

Morphology :

  • Bark: Greyish or pale brown, corky, bitter in taste
  • Leaves: Large, pinnately compound with 8–14 pairs of leaflets, gland-dotted
  • Flowers: Small, greenish-yellow, in terminal panicles
  • Fruits: Samaras (winged), twisted with one seed
  • Root: Long, woody, light brown externally

Varieties:

  • No distinct classical varieties reported; regional morphological variations may exist

Substitute / Adulterant:

  • Sometimes adulterated with Ailanthus integrifolia or other species of Ailanthus

Phytochemicals:

  • Quassinoids (Excelsin, Ailantic acid)
  • Alkaloids
  • Tannins
  • Saponins
  • Steroids
  • Essential oils
  • Bitter principles (used as vermifuge)

Raspanchaka:

  • Rasa: Tikta, Kashaya, Katuka
  • Guna: Laghu, Ruksha
  • Virya: Ushna
  • Vipaka: Katu
  • Prabhava: Krimighna, Kaphaghna
  • Dosha Shamakta: Kapha-Vatahara

Karma (Rogaghnata):

  • Jvaraghna (antipyretic)
  • Kaphashamak
  • Grahi
  • Vranashodhana
  • Deepana
  • Vishaghna

Amayika Prayoga / Therapeutic Uses:

External:

  • Bark paste used in skin diseases, wounds, and swellings
  • Oil prepared from bark used for rheumatic pain

Internal:

  • Bark decoction used in:
    • Kasa (Cough)
    • Shwasa
    • Krimi
    • Vishavikara
    • Jwara

Part Used:

  • Bark
  • Leaves
  • Root bark

Dose:

  • Decoction (Kwatha): 50–100 ml/day
  • Powder (Churna): 3–6 g/day
  • Fresh leaf juice: 10–20 ml

Yoga / Formulations:

  • Commonly used in traditional decoctions for respiratory issues and parasitic infestations
  • Used in some Siddha and Unani formulations as well

IUCN Status:

  • Least Concern (LC)

Research Updates (Past 5 Years):

  1. 2021 – Antimicrobial activity of Ailanthus excelsa bark extract against human pathogens. (Published in Indian Journal of Microbiology) – Significant action against E. coli and S. aureus.
  2. 2020 – Phytochemical profiling and hepatoprotective potential of Ailanthus excelsa against paracetamol-induced liver toxicity in rats. (Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine) – Demonstrated liver protection through antioxidant action.
  3. 2019 – Anti-asthmatic potential of ethanol extract of Ailanthus excelsa leaf in ovalbumin-induced asthma model. (Journal of Ethnopharmacology) – Reduced eosinophilia and airway inflammation.
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