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