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 8β14 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): 50β100 ml/day
- Powder (Churna): 3β6 g/day
- Fresh leaf juice: 10β20 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):
- 2021 β Antimicrobial activity of Ailanthus excelsa bark extract against human pathogens. (Published in Indian Journal of Microbiology) β Significant action against E. coli and S. aureus.
- 2020 β Phytochemical profiling and hepatoprotective potential of Ailanthus excelsa against paracetamol-induced liver toxicity in rats. (Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine) β Demonstrated liver protection through antioxidant action.
- 2019 β Anti-asthmatic potential of ethanol extract of Ailanthus excelsa leaf in ovalbumin-induced asthma model. (Journal of Ethnopharmacology) β Reduced eosinophilia and airway inflammation.

