Saptaparna — Devil's Tree

Ayurvedic herb Saptaparna (Alstonia scholaris) — Devil's Tree. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Tikta, Kashaya, Virya Ushna, Vipaka Katu. Balances Kapha, Vata.

Ayurvedic Herbs A–Z 1 min read
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Alstonia scholaris is a bitter tonic used primarily for skin diseases, intestinal worms, and malarial fever.

ⓘ Information
PropertyValueDescription
RasaTikta, KashayaTikta (Bitter) — detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic; Kashaya (Astringent) — drying, absorbent, wound-healing
GunaLaghu, SnigdhaLaghu (Light) — easy to digest, promotes lightness; Snigdha (Oily/Unctuous) — moistening, nourishing
ViryaUshnaUshna (Hot) — heating, increases metabolism and Pitta
VipakaKatuKatu (Pungent) — post-digestive pungent, lightening
PrabhavaKushtaghna, Krimighna, JwaraghnaKushtaghna — treats skin diseases; Krimighna — anti-parasitic, destroys worms; Jwaraghna — antipyretic, reduces fever

Sanskrit Synonyms

In the classical Ayurvedic texts, Saptaparna is known by the following Sanskrit names:

Vishala, Sharada, Guchhapushpa, Vishamachhada

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Saptaparna are: twak, patra, ksheera.

Main Indications

Saptaparna is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Jwara, Kushta, Krimi, Vrana, Gulma.

Dosha Effects

Saptaparna pacifies Kapha, Vata.

It may aggravate Pitta when used in excess or in sensitive individuals.

Usage

Saptaparna is used in classical Ayurvedic formulations. Consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner for appropriate dosage and preparation based on your constitution (Prakriti) and current imbalance (Vikriti).

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API)

Source: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India — Government of India, Ministry of AYUSH

Rasa (Taste)Tikta, Kaṣ¡ya
Guna (Quality)Sara, Snigdha
Virya (Potency)Uṣḍa
Vipaka (Post-digestive effect)Kauu
Karma (Action)Tridoṣaghna, Dipana, Anulomana, Rakta¿odhaka, Kuṣuhaghna, Jvaraghna
Dose20-30 g of the drug for decoction.
Therapeutic Uses: śūla, Gulma, Krmiroga, Kuṣuha, Jvara, S¡ndrameha
Important Formulations: āragvadh¡di Kv¡tha Cūrḍa, Amrt¡riṣua, Vajraka Taila
Botanical Name: Alstonia scholaris (Apocynaceae)
Part Used: St.Bk.

Therapeutic Uses (IMPPAT Database)

Source: Indian Medicinal Plants, Phytochemistry And Therapeutics (IMPPAT) v1.0 — CC BY 4.0

Part UsedTherapeutic UseIdentifiersReferences
barkAbdominal neoplasmsMESH:D000008,UMLS:C0031149ISBN:9770972795006
barkAbdominal painMESH:D015746,UMLS:C0000737, SYMP:0000457, ICD-11:MD81.4Contribution To The Medico-Botany Of East Godavari And West Godavari Districts Of Andhra Pradesh, ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717024
barkAbscessMESH:D000038,UMLS:C0000833, SYMP:0000672, ICD-11:1B75.3Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
barkAnthelminticsMESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788173717024
barkAnti-bacterial agentsMESH:D000900,UMLS:C0279516, ICD-11:XM8XH0ISBN:9770972795006
barkAntidepressive agentsMESH:D000928,UMLS:C0003289, ICD-11:6A7ZISBN:9770972795006
barkAnti-infective agentsMESH:D000890,UMLS:C0003204, ICD-11:XM4TV0Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
barkAnti-inflammatory agentsMESH:D000893,UMLS:C0003209, ICD-11:XM7XD1ISBN:9770972795006
barkAntineoplastic agentsMESH:D000970,UMLS:C0003392ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
barkAntipruriticsMESH:D000982,UMLS:C0003417, ICD-11:EC90ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717024
barkAntipyreticsMESH:D058633,UMLS:C0003419, ICD-11:XM1RS7ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788173717024, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
barkAntirheumatic agentsMESH:D018501,UMLS:C0003191, ICD-11:XM95N2ISBN:9770972795006
barkAppetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447ISBN:9788173717024, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
barkArthralgiaMESH:D018771,UMLS:C0003862, ICD-11:ME82ISBN:9788172360481
barkAstheniaMESH:D001247,UMLS:C0004093, ICD-11:MG22ISBN:9788173717024
barkAsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717024
barkAstringentsMESH:D001252,UMLS:C0004110, ICD-11:XM0VK6ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361150
barkBronchitisMESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717024
barkCardiotonic agentsMESH:D002316,UMLS:C0007209, ICD-11:XM91S1ISBN:9788173717024
barkCardiovascular systemMESH:D002319,UMLS:C0007226, ICD-11:XA4PM9ISBN:9770972795006
barkColicMESH:D003085,UMLS:C0232488, ICD-11:MD81.4ISBN:9770972795006
barkDiarrheaMESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788173717024, ISBN:9789327275590
barkDysenteryMESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788173717024, ISBN:9789327275590
barkDyspepsiaMESH:D004415,UMLS:C0013395, ICD-11:DD90.3ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717024
barkEar diseasesMESH:D004427,UMLS:C0013447, ICD-11:AC0ZISBN:9770972795006
barkFeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717024, ISBN:9789327275590
barkFilariasisMESH:D005368,UMLS:C0016085, DOID:1080, ICD-11:1F66ISBN:9770972795006
barkGalactogoguesMESH:D056669,UMLS:C2717873ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788173717024
barkHeart diseasesMESH:D006331,UMLS:C0018799, DOID:114, ICD-11:BC4ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717024
barkHelminthiasisMESH:D006373,UMLS:C0018889, ICD-11:1F90.ZISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717024
barkHypophosphatemia, familialMESH:D007015,UMLS:C0020631, ICD-11:5C64.3ISBN:9770972795006
barkHypotensionMESH:D007022,UMLS:C0020649, ICD-11:BA2ZISBN:9788172360481
barkLactation disordersMESH:D007775,UMLS:C0022927, ICD-11:JB46.7ISBN:9788173717024
barkLeishmaniasisMESH:D007896,UMLS:C0023281, DOID:9065, ICD-11:1F54.ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172362089
barkLeprosyMESH:D007918,UMLS:C0023343, DOID:1024, ICD-11:1B20ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717024
barkLeukorrheaMESH:D007973,UMLS:C0023533, DOID:3766, ICD-11:MF3AISBN:9770972795006
barkMalariaMESH:D008288,UMLS:C0024530, DOID:12365, ICD-11:1F4ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788173717024, ISBN:9789327275590, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
barkNeoplasmsMESH:D009369,UMLS:C0027651, DOID:162, ICD-11:2E2ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717024
barkPainMESH:D010146,UMLS:C0030193, ICD-11:MG3ZISBN:9788172360481
barkParasympatholyticsMESH:D010276,UMLS:C0030511, ICD-11:XM3A77ISBN:9780387706375
barkPneumoniaMESH:D011014,UMLS:C0032285, DOID:552, ICD-11:CA40.0ZISBN:9770972795006
barkPostnatal careMESH:D011181,UMLS:C0032782ISBN:9770972795006
barkGeneral tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788172361266
barkSkin diseasesMESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0ZISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172360481, ISBN:9788173717024, ISBN:9789327275590
barkSnake bitesMESH:D012909,UMLS:C0037379ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9789327275590
barkTuberculosisMESH:D014376,UMLS:C0041296, DOID:399, ICD-11:1B1ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
barkUlcerMESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582ISBN:9788173717024, ISBN:9789327275590, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
barkUrticariaMESH:D014581,UMLS:C0042109, DOID:1555, ICD-11:EB05ISBN:9789327275590
barkVitiligoMESH:D014820,UMLS:C0042900, DOID:12306, ICD-11:ED63.0ISBN:9770972795006
barkWounds and injuriesMESH:D014947,UMLS:C0043251ISBN:9770972795006
barkAntiperiodicISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9780387706375
barkDepurativeISBN:9788173717024
flowerAntidepressive agentsMESH:D000928,UMLS:C0003289, ICD-11:6A7ZISBN:9788172360481
fruitAnthelminticsMESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0ISBN:9770972795006
fruitEpilepsyMESH:D004827,UMLS:C0014544, DOID:1826, ICD-11:8A6ZISBN:9770972795006
fruitMental disordersMESH:D001523,UMLS:C0004936, ICD-11:6E8ZISBN:9770972795006
fruitGeneral tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016ISBN:9770972795006
fruitSyphilisMESH:D013587,UMLS:C0039128, DOID:4166, ICD-11:1A6ZISBN:9770972795006
fruitAntiperiodicISBN:9770972795006
leafAnti-infective agentsMESH:D000890,UMLS:C0003204, ICD-11:XM4TV0ISBN:9788172360481
leafAntiviral agentsMESH:D000998,UMLS:C0003451ISBN:9770972795006
leafBeriberiMESH:D001602,UMLS:C0005122, DOID:13725, ICD-11:5B5A.0ISBN:9788172361150
leafDiarrheaMESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1ISBN:9789327275590
leafDysenteryMESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.ZISBN:9789327275590
leafEdemaMESH:D004487,UMLS:C0013604, ICD-11:MG29.1ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361150
leafFeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:9789327275590
leafHypotensionMESH:D007022,UMLS:C0020649, ICD-11:BA2ZISBN:9788172360481
leafMalariaMESH:D008288,UMLS:C0024530, DOID:12365, ICD-11:1F4ZISBN:9789327275590
leafSkin diseasesMESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0ZISBN:9789327275590
leafSnake bitesMESH:D012909,UMLS:C0037379ISBN:9789327275590
leafTuberculosisMESH:D014376,UMLS:C0041296, DOID:399, ICD-11:1B1ZISBN:9788172360481
leafUlcerMESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717024, ISBN:9789327275590
leafUrticariaMESH:D014581,UMLS:C0042109, DOID:1555, ICD-11:EB05ISBN:9789327275590
leafWounds and injuriesMESH:D014947,UMLS:C0043251ISBN:9770972795006
plant exudateAbdominal painMESH:D015746,UMLS:C0000737, SYMP:0000457, ICD-11:MD81.4ISBN:9770972795006
plant exudateAntineoplastic agentsMESH:D000970,UMLS:C0003392ISBN:9788172360481
plant exudateAntirheumatic agentsMESH:D018501,UMLS:C0003191, ICD-11:XM95N2ISBN:9770972795006
plant exudateCoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9788172360481
plant exudateEaracheMESH:D004433,UMLS:C0013456, ICD-11:AB70.2ISBN:9788173717024
plant exudateDisorder of ejaculationUMLS:C0235969ISBN:9770972795006
plant exudateGonorrheaMESH:D006069,UMLS:C0018081, DOID:7551, ICD-11:1A7ZISBN:9788172360481
plant exudateNeoplasmsMESH:D009369,UMLS:C0027651, DOID:162, ICD-11:2E2ZISBN:9770972795006
plant exudateToothacheMESH:D014098,UMLS:C0040460, ICD-11:DA0A.YISBN:9770972795006
plant exudateUlcerMESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717024
plant exudateWounds and injuriesMESH:D014947,UMLS:C0043251ISBN:9770972795006
rhizomeAnthelminticsMESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0ISBN:9770972795006
rootAntineoplastic agentsMESH:D000970,UMLS:C0003392ISBN:9788172360481
rootAppetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - V
rootLeukorrheaMESH:D007973,UMLS:C0023533, DOID:3766, ICD-11:MF3AISBN:9770972795006
rootLiver diseasesMESH:D008107,UMLS:C0023895, DOID:409, ICD-11:SA0ZStandardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - V
rootStomach diseasesMESH:D013272,UMLS:C0038354, DOID:76, ICD-11:DA4YStandardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - V
stemEaracheMESH:D004433,UMLS:C0013456, ICD-11:AB70.2ISBN:9788172360481
stemLeukorrheaMESH:D007973,UMLS:C0023533, DOID:3766, ICD-11:MF3AISBN:9770972795006
woodAntirheumatic agentsMESH:D018501,UMLS:C0003191, ICD-11:XM95N2ISBN:9788172361150
woodWounds and injuriesMESH:D014947,UMLS:C0043251ISBN:9788172361150
Abdominal painMESH:D015746,UMLS:C0000737, SYMP:0000457, ICD-11:MD81.4Contribution To The Medico-Botany Of East Godavari And West Godavari Districts Of Andhra Pradesh
Antineoplastic agentsMESH:D000970,UMLS:C0003392ISBN:9788172362089
Antirheumatic agentsMESH:D018501,UMLS:C0003191, ICD-11:XM95N2ISBN:9788172360481, ISBN:9788172361150
AsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9788172360481
BronchitisMESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20ISBN:9788172360481
CholeraMESH:D002771,UMLS:C0008354, DOID:1498, ICD-11:1A00ISBN:9788172360481
CoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9770972795006
DyspneaMESH:D004417,UMLS:C0013404, ICD-11:MD11.5ISBN:9770972795006
Ear diseasesMESH:D004427,UMLS:C0013447, ICD-11:AC0ZISBN:9788172361150
FeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361150
Fractures, boneMESH:D050723,UMLS:C0016658, ICD-11:ND56.2ISBN:9788172360481
Gastrointestinal diseasesMESH:D005767,UMLS:C0017178, DOID:77, ICD-11:DE2ZISBN:9788172361150
HeadacheMESH:D006261,UMLS:C0018681, ICD-11:8A81.ZISBN:9788172360481
Hemophilia aMESH:D006467,UMLS:C0019069ISBN:9788172360481
Hypnotics and sedativesMESH:D006993,UMLS:C0020592, ICD-11:XM3GR8ISBN:9788172361150
Lactation disordersMESH:D007775,UMLS:C0022927, ICD-11:JB46.7ISBN:9788172360481
Liver diseasesMESH:D008107,UMLS:C0023895, DOID:409, ICD-11:SA0ZISBN:9788172361150
NeoplasmsMESH:D009369,UMLS:C0027651, DOID:162, ICD-11:2E2ZISBN:9788172361150
PainMESH:D010146,UMLS:C0030193, ICD-11:MG3ZISBN:9788172360481
PleurisyMESH:D010998,UMLS:C0032231, DOID:10247, ICD-11:MD31ISBN:9788172360481
PneumoniaMESH:D011014,UMLS:C0032285, DOID:552, ICD-11:CA40.0ZISBN:9788172360481
General tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016ISBN:9788172361150
Skin diseasesMESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0ZISBN:9770972795006
ToothacheMESH:D014098,UMLS:C0040460, ICD-11:DA0A.YISBN:9788172361150
Tuberculosis, pulmonaryMESH:D014397,UMLS:C0041327, DOID:2957, ICD-11:1B10.ZISBN:9788172360481
UlcerMESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788172361266
Wounds and injuriesMESH:D014947,UMLS:C0043251ISBN:9788172361150