Mallotus philippinensis, Kamala, Kampillaka, Kapila, Shendri

Mallotus philippinensis commonly known as Kamala, Kampillaka, and Kapila, and locally known as Shendri is a very common perennial shrub or small tree found in the outer Himalayas ascending to 1500 meters. It is a plant related to the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). The plant is native to South Asia, South East Asia and might originate from the Philippines. It has a wide range, from Mount Keira (N.S.W) in the extreme south and all the way to Afghanistan at the northern limit. It is popular in the western Himalayas, through India, Sri Lanka, to southern China, Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands, Thailand, and throughout Malesia to northern Australia and Melanesia. Some of the well-known common names of the plants are Kamala tree, Monkey Face Tree, Dyers rottlera, Kamala dye tree, Orange kamala, red kamala, scarlet croton, Kamala, rohini, senduri, gangai, shendri, monkey-puzzle , rechanka, raktaang, kapila and sindooramaram. It is known as the kamala tree or red kamala or kumkum tree, due to the fruit covering, which produces a red dye.

Kamala Tree Facts

However, it must be noted however that kamala also means lotus in many languages of India. Kamala is unrelated to lotus, which is a completely different plant with an attractive flower and an important symbolic value in Asia. The species name refers to the type specimen being collected in the Philippines, where it is known as banato. Kamala is considered to be a very useful tree. It is source of Kamala dye which is used in coloring silk and wool. It is used as anti-oxidant for ghee and vegetable oils. Oil is used as hair-fixer and added in ointment. Seed oil is used in paints and varnishes. Seed cake is used as manure.

It is considered the best source of kamala powder, widely used in Asia as a dye and medicine, the plant also provides a useful timber, oil and tannins. The tree has been grown experimentally in Nepal because of the endangered stands of this tree, and was previously cultivated in Cameroon and Madagascar. It is grown as an ornamental, being appreciated particularly for its red fruits.

Plant Description

Kamala tree is a small bush or even a pretty sized monoecious tree that normally grows up to 25 m tall with a bole up to 50 cm in diameter. The plant is commonly found growing in evergreen forest, especially in secondary forest. It also occurs in scrubby vegetation and on open rocky ground, mountain slopes or valleys, limestone hills or river valleys and shola borders in forest clearings. It grows mostly in a wide range of soil types, including infertile soils, limestone, acid, and rocky land. The trunk is fluted and irregular at the base. The grey bark is smooth, or with occasional wrinkles or corky bumps. Small branches are greyish brown in color, with rusty covered small hairs towards the end. Leaf scars are evident.

Leaves

Leaves grow opposite on the stem in opposite pairs and can have a length between 4 to 12 cm, with a thickness of about 2 – 7 cm. Their shape can be either ovate or oblong, with sharp tips. The upper surface is green and smooth without hairs, while the bottom is faint grey and has some very small red glands that can only be noticed with a magnifier or microscope. The stems of the leaves can grow to a maximum length of 5 cm, somewhat thickened at both ends. Veins are raised and very visible on the underside of leaves and the first one is the most important, being as long as half of the leaf.

Flowers

Kamala’s flowers are situated on racemes with a length of up to 6 cm and have a yellow or brownish color. Every tree has a different sex and the male and female flowers can’t be found on the same one. Male flowers in terminal and axillary position, 2–10 cm long, solitary or fascicled paniculates spikes, each flower are with numerous stamens, small. Female flowers have spikes or slender racemes, each flower with a stellate hairy, 3 celled ovary with 3 papillose stigmas.  Given the vast range where the plant is found, the blossom happens at different times of the year. Flowers appear in March to April in the Philippines but as late as June to November in Australia’s New South Wales province.

Fruits

About three months after the blossom, the fruits start to mature, in any month of the year. Fertile flowers are followed by depressed-globose capsules with three lobs. The capsule is 5-7 mm long and 8-10(-12) mm wide. Their most interesting feature is the red powder that covers them. Diluting this powder in alcohol produces a red dye that can be used to color wool and silk. Every lobe consists of a small black subglobose seed, not larger than 2 – 3 mm in diameter, which can be used when it’s fresh to propagate the tree.

Health benefits of Kamala Tree

Here are few of the popular health benefits of Kamala tree

1. Infection? Disease Treatment

Kamala leaves have powerful antimicrobial properties effective against Streptococcus pneumonia and thus prevent and treat this organism causing infections like pneumonia, septic, brain abscesses, etc. Kamala leaves extract is also suggested to treat typhoid fever?, as it is effective against Salmonella typhi. It also destroys Vibrio species and treats diarrheal infections. Kamala leaves also has anti-filarial action. Not only leaves, but the stem of Kamala also has an inhibitory effect against fungi A. flavus and C. albicans.

2. Anticancer

Kamala root is effective against leukemia due to its anti-proliferative activity. The anti-leukemic effect of Kamala is tested and the test result showed that Kamala can up-regulate protooncogenes within 24 hours of treatment and allow to limit leukemic cell cycle progression.

3. Anti-Tumor Activity

Stem bark of Kamala root prevents the effect of antigen derived from Epstein-Barr virus. The antitumor property of Kamala is more powerful than another well-established herbal constituent like curcumin. An animal research study confirmed the anti-tumor activity of Kamala.

Traditional uses and benefits of Kamala Tree

• Kamala tree is used by the Arabs internally for leprosy and in solution to remove freckles and pustules.
• Kamala herb is effective in digestive problems like constipation?, flatulence or tapeworms but also heals ulcers, cough, internal bleeding, renal? and vesicle stones.
• It can also eliminate scabies and other types of skin parasites.
• Kamala is considered among the best herbal remedies for internal worms.
• It can kill many types of parasites, both internal and external ones, especially those that live on the skin or along the digestive tract.
• Fruit and its hair are particularly effective against parasites, while the bark is a powerful germ killer.
• It eliminates toxins; it can boost bowel activity, improve digestion and act like a laxative.
• Local traditional practitioners also use the plant in the treatment of eye disorders.
• Kamala powder, obtained from the skins of the fruits, is used as anthelmintic.
• All parts of the tree can be applied externally to treat parasitic infections of the skin.
• Fruits and bark have been used medicinally to treat stomach ulcers and tapeworm.
• Decoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of diarrhea?.
• Root scrapings are chewed with a betel mixture as a contraceptive for women.
• It is useful in treatment of bronchitis, abdominal diseases, and spleen enlargement.
• Powder and a few other parts of Kamala are also used in external applications to promote the healing of ulcers and wounds.
• They are used to treat parasitic affections of the skin like scabies, ringworm, and herpes.
• Bark has been used for typhoid and meningitis.
• Its oil is used in dermal problems and non-healing wounds.
• Leaves are used externally for different types of skin infections and infected wounds.
• The glands/hairs of the fruit mixed with coconut oil are used to dress wounds and burns.
• The oil cleanses chronic? infected wounds.
• Oil extracted from the Kamala seeds is applied to non-healing dermal wounds.
• Chewing of a combination of small sectioned Kamala root with betel mixture is acts as a contraceptive for women.
• Leaves and flower extract of Kamala plant has anesthetic properties and is used as a traditional medicinal substance to treat flu, cough, stomatitis, rabies diseases, tuberculosis, and throat complaints.
• It is an effective remedy to treat fever? and rheumatism. It has strong diuretic activity and can dissolve urinary calculi.
• In India, it is used for bronchitis, abdominal diseases, spleen enlargement.
• Leaves and bark are used for poulticing cutaneous diseases and pounded seeds are applied to wounds.
• It is used for constipation?, anorexia, cancers, dermatosis, cramps and dysmenorrhea.
• Dried seed powder mixed with half cup of curd is given three times daily for 1 to 2 days for constipation? and to kill intestinal worms in Pakistan.
• In Manipur India, bark decoction with sugar given in urinary tract stone problem.

Ayurvedic Health benefits of Kamala Tree

• Wounds: Crush Mallotus Philippensis seeds to make powder. Sprinkle it over Wounds.
• Cracked Heels : Take 50 gram Adina Cordifolia Oil, 50 gram Kamala Oil, 50 gram Bergenia Oil, 50 gram Indian Madder Oil, 50 gram Dandelion Oil, 50 gram Vateria Indica Oil, 100 gram Aloe Vera Gel and 50 gram of Dried Powdered of kokum. Put all oils in a pan. Heat the combination on a low flame. After 15 to 20 minutes, add the remaining ingredients. Stir it time to time. When the mixture becomes thick, remove from the heat. Let it cool. Store in a bottle. Use it on cracked heels at night daily.

Culinary Uses

• Kamala powder, obtained from the skins of the fruits, is used as a preservative for vegetable oils and dairy products.
• The oil from the seed is used for coloring foodstuffs and beverages.
• Dye made up of Kamala herbal content is used to brighten ice-cream and drinks.

Other Facts

• The red dye produced from the fruit is used to color silk and wool.
• Paper can be produced from the wood pulp, while the seeds serve as manure.
• The red pigment can also be used for cooking.
• Wood is good as fuel; leaves can be eaten by domestic animals, while the Chinese use the plant to grow lac insects.
• The tree’s bark is fibrous, which is useful in the manufacture of ropes, artificial fur, baskets, and even synthetic furs.
• In Sumatra the plant is used as a fish poison.
• Oil is also used as a fixative in cosmetic preparations and for coloring foodstuffs and beverages.
• Wood is used for rafters, tool handles, matchboxes, and house-posts.
• The wood is often used as fuelwood.
• It is considered well an anti-oxidant for ghee and vegetable oils.
• Seed Oil derived from the seeds is used in paints and varnishes, as a hair-fixer, and ointment additive.
• Seed cake is used as manure.

Precautions

• Avoid use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Do not consume if you have symptoms of appendicitis.
• Large doses may cause colic, cramping, diarrhea?, GI distress, and nausea?.
• It may cause mild nausea?, occasional vomiting?, and loose motions.

References