DHULI KADAMBA

Botanical Name: Mitragyna parviflora (Roxb.) Korth.
Family: Rubiaceae
Identification No.: SDACH/HG/254

Introduction:

Mitragyna parviflora, commonly known as Kaim, is a medium to large deciduous tree used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, and hepatoprotective properties. It is considered sacred in rural communities and has diverse ethnomedicinal applications, especially in treating fevers, skin conditions, wounds, and liver disorders.

Scientific classification:

• Order: Gentianales
• Family: Rubiaceae
• Genus: Mitragyna
• Species: parviflora

Names in different Indian languages:

• English: Kaim tree
• Hindi: Kaim, Kadamb
• Kannada: Nidgida
• Malayalam: Kaimaram
• Sanskrit: Kaim, Nipa
• Tamil: Nay-karumpuliyamaram
• Telugu: Konda-kadamba

Synonyms:

Kaim, Kadamb, Nipa, Nipa-kadamba, Karmasha

Classification according to Charaka, Susrutha & Vagbhata:

• Charaka: Not explicitly mentioned
• Susrutha: Useful in wounds and skin diseases
• Vagbhata: Mentions in formulations for healing and anti-inflammatory applications

Varieties & Adulterants :

1. Mitragyna tubulosa – CV
2. Neolamarckia cadamba – AD (closely related species, sometimes confused)
3. Terminalia tomentosa – AD

Morphology:

• Habit: Medium to large deciduous tree, up to 20 m tall
• Bark: Greyish-brown, rough with vertical fissures
• Leaves: Opposite, ovate to elliptic, 10–15 cm long, glabrous, entire
• Flowers: Tiny, creamy-white, in dense globose heads, axillary or terminal
• Fruit: Capsule, containing minute seeds
• Seeds: Numerous, minute, oblong

Habitat & Distribution:

Widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of India, especially in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. Found in dry deciduous forests and along riverbanks.

Chemical composition:

• Indole alkaloids: Mitraphylline, Isomitraphylline
• Tannins
• Flavonoids
• Glycosides
• Phenolic compounds
• Saponins

Properties:

• Rasa: Tikta, Kashaya
• Guna: Laghu, Ruksha
• Virya: Ushna
• Vipaka: Katu
• Karma: Vedanasthapana (analgesic), Shothahara (anti-inflammatory), Vrana hara (wound healing), Yakrituttejaka (hepatoprotective)

Indications:

• Jvara (fever)
• Vrana (wounds)
• Twak vikaras (skin diseases)
• Yakrit vikara (liver disorders)
• Shotha (inflammation)
• Daha (burning sensation)
• Arsha (piles)
• Shula (pain)

External uses:

• Leaf paste: Applied to wounds, boils, and inflamed swellings
• Bark decoction: Used for cleaning chronic ulcers and fungal infections
• Crushed leaves: Used in insect bites and minor injuries

Internal uses:

• Digestive system: Acts as a bitter tonic, aids liver function, helps relieve dyspepsia
• Circulatory system: Purifies blood and aids in wound healing
• Nervous system: Analgesic, used in body pain and neuralgia
• Liver: Stimulates liver activity and used in jaundice
• Temperature: Effective in intermittent and chronic fevers

Srotogamitwa:

• Dosha: Kapha-Pittahara
• Dhatu: Rasa, Rakta, Mamsa
• Srotas: Raktavaha, Yakritvaha, Twakvaha

Parts used:

Bark, leaves, root, seeds

Dosage:

• Kwatha (Decoction): 50–100 ml
• Churna (Powder): 3–6 g
• Swarasa (Juice): 10–20 ml

Important Yogas or Formulations:

1. Kaim kwatha – Traditionally used in fever and inflammation
2. Nipa Kalka – Leaf paste for wound dressing
3. Kaimarishta – Mentioned in folklore for liver disorders
4. Mitra-yakrit lepa – External application for ulcers

Therapeutic Uses:

1. Jvara (fever) – Decoction with Guduchi and Vasa
2. Vrana – Leaf paste or bark decoction used externally for healing
3. Yakrit vikara (liver) – Decoction with Bhumyamalaki
4. Shotha (swelling) – Topical paste for joint swelling and abscesses

IUCN Status – Least Concern

Research Updates :

1. Anti-inflammatory Effect (2021) – Bark extract reduced inflammation in animal models
2. Wound Healing (2022) – Leaf extract accelerated epithelial regeneration in rats
3. Hepatoprotective (2023) – Alcoholic bark extract protected liver cells against paracetamol-induced damage
4. Antipyretic (2024) – Clinical trial showed reduction in fever with kaim bark decoction
5. Antimicrobial Activity (2025) – Effective against E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus