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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
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