Aralu (Ailanthus Excelsa)

Aralu, Ailanthus Excelsa

Aralu is also known as Ailanthus Excelsa, one of the common names of this herb is “sona patha”. It belongs to Simarubaceae family. It is a big tree with a bad odor and a bitter taste.

Common synonyms of Ailanthus Excelsa

English name – Indian tree of heaven, Coramandel Ailanto.
Hindi name – Adu Ghoda Neem, Ghoda Karanj.
Sanskrit name – Pooti Vruksha, Deergha Vrunta, Mahanimba, Katavanga etc.

Occurrence

Aralu has been frequently compared with Shyonak (Oroxylum Indicum) another important plant in Ayurvedic system of medicines. It grows commonly in India and Sri Lanka up to the height of 1000ft above sea level.

Properties

GUNA (Characteristics): Rooksha (Dry).
RASA (Taste): Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent)
VIPAKA (After Taste that Develops Post Digestion): Katu (Pungent)
VIRYA (Potency): Sheeta (Cold Potency)

Special Activity and Common Properties of the Herb

Aralu is rich in dietary fibers and is known to improve the bulk of feces. It has digestive properties and is known to improve gut functions.

It is good at improving the digestive strength so that ama can be dissolved and digested by the body. It also stimulates digestive fire so that formation of ama can be reduced in the first place.

Aralu has a general detox effect on the body given its bitter and astringent taste and cooling properties. It helps to suppress and reduce inflammation in the body which may occur because of multiple infections like bacterial, viral, fungal, moulds etc.

As per Ayurveda, when the abdominal region is free of any kind of swelling or inflammation, it is able to function properly. Also most of the disease, be it minor illness or major ones leading to death, are a result of an early disruption in the gut functions.

Aralu has restoring and stabilizing properties. It is therefore, very useful in reducing stool frequency in diarrhea and dysentery. Especially in dysentery where there is a lot of mucous secretion along with stools, Aralu can help to cleanse the infection so that mucous secretions can be reduced. It also helps relieve bloating and abdominal pain associated with Diarrhea and Dysentery.

Worm infestations are very common in children and infants as they have a tendency to put everything in their mouth. Aralu can help wash out worms from the intestines in such children.

The stabilizing effect of Aralu is put to use in the post pregnancy period. Here, it is used to reduce bleeding and hasten healing of the uterine musculature so that the mother can rapidly recover and feel normal and healthy very early.

Likewise, in females suffering from excessive bleeding from the uterus or vagina as in case of menorrhagia, fibroids and endometriosis, Aralu can be administered in the form of bark or leaf decoction to give immediate relief.

Leaky gut is a very common condition these days. The sad part is, not many are aware of it as a result many people are getting increasingly malnourished with no idea about what is happening to their body.

Such people develop multiple nutritional deficiencies not necessarily because of a lack of nutritious diet but because of some food allergies or improper eating habits which prevent proper absorption of food in the intestines. Aralu can be of great help in this case as it stimulates absorption of food and its important nutrients from the large intestines.