Ankol, also known as dhera, is found in abundance in India. It is a tree which, root to tip, serves some or the other purpose. Be it the seeds, leaves, fruit or oils—consumption of any or all of them is said to be beneficial to the human body. Ayurveda, however, mentions the usage and benefits of particularly the bark and the oil.

Ankol is native to South Africa and Eastern Asia. It bears white flowers between the months of February and April. The wood obtained from this tree is considered to be of good quality due to its close grains which make fine finishing possible. It is, therefore, used in a variety of ways such as in furniture, musical instruments, and ornaments among others. The wood is also considered to be good fuelwood.

Basic information about Ankol

  • Botanical name: Alangium salvifolium
  • Common name: Ankol
  • Family: Alangiaceae
  • Native region and geographical distribution: East Asia and South Africa
  • Parts used: Bark, oil, leaves, roots, fruit
  • Energetics: Known to pacify Kapha and Pitta “doshas”

Continue reading to find out the various health benefits that the Ankol tree has to offer.

  1. Ankol health benefits
  2. Ankol dosage and side effects
Doctors for Ankol benefits and side effects

The medicinal properties ascribed to Ankol are: 

  • Antipyretic (reduces fever)
  • Analgesic (provides relief from pain)
  • Anti-Inflammatory (reduces inflammation or swelling)
  • Expectorant (helps remove excess mucus)
  • Diuretic (increases urine production in the body)
  • Laxative (helps in bowel movement)
  • Carminative (helps pass wind)
  • Antimicrobial (fights germs)
  • Antivenom (can be an antidote to some poisons)

According to an article published in the Journal of Pharmacy Research in 2011,

  • Ankol leaf extracts have alkaloids, tannins, triterpene and steroids that give it anti-epileptic properties (read more: epilepsy)
  • Ankol root extracts have phenolic compounds and flavonoids which make it an antioxidant
  • The extract of the stem and leaves of ankol contain flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids and steroids that it hypoglycemic (reduce blood sugar) and anti-diabetic properties
  • The phenolic compounds, flavonoids and alkaloids in ankol leaves may also help in wound healing
  • The bark of ankol stem may have antiarthritic properties because of the presence of alkaloids, steroids and tannins
  • Ankol flowers may have antibacterial properties due to the presence of Methyl-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione and 3-O-b-D-glucopyranosyl-(24ß)- ethylcholesta-5,22,25-triene
  • A decoction of flower juice and root extract of ankol may have heart-protective and anti-inflammatory properties because of the presence of phenolic glycosides, salviifosides
  • A, C and Salicin, Kaempferol, and Kaempferol 3-O-b-Dglucopyranoside
  • The roots of ankol plant are also said to be a diuretic (increases urine production), analgesic (pain killer) and anti-inflammatory and anthelmintic (deworming) agent.

Further, research has shown that it is a good mosquito control agent and is particularly effective against mosquitoes that carry the viruses that cause dengue fever and Zika infection: Aedes aegypti. The reason: eight compounds, including hexadecenoic acid (21.74%), in a methanolic extract of ankol leaves. According to the researchers, "The A. salvifolium methanolic extract displayed significant repellent and adulticidal activity at 100 and 400 ppm, respectively... Four hundred parts per million of the extract showed 98% adult mortality within 30 min from the treatment."

Much more research needs to be done to confirm the safety and effectiveness of these remedies in humans. Read on for more purported benefits of ankol and what science has to say on it so far.

Ankol for arthritis

Arthritis is a condition that results in swelling, tenderness and inflammation of one or more joints. The roots of ankol tree have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and are known to provide relief from joint pain in arthritis. In case the root isn’t available, the bark can be used as well.

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Ankol for flu

Ankol helps in the management of Influenza (flu), which causes symptoms like chills, fever, sweating, runny nose and body ache. The root is usually used in combination with other adjuvants or medicines that support its action.

Ankol antidote for snake bite, scorpion sting

Snake venom is known to cause multiple health problems like:

  • Systemic myolysis or muscle destruction
  • Flaccid paralysis
  • Coagulopathy or problems with blood coagulation
  • Haemorrhage (bleeding)
  • Cardiotoxicity (toxic for the heart)
  • Kidney damage and failure
  • Injury at the bite site
  • Potential morbidity and mortality

While there is an antivenom available in many health centres across the country, local plant-based remedies are popular in places that don't have access to formal health care. Ankol is one of many folk medicine remedies for snake bites. According to research published in the Integrative Medicine Research journal, "About 15 g of (ankol) bark, ground with 10–12 black peppers and mixed with 60 g animal fat, is given every 2 h to cure snakebite... Root bark decoction is given internally to treat."

Some of the other remedies listed in the article, "Ethnomedicinal plants used for snakebite in India: a brief overview", include:

  • Saptparni bark decoction
  • Senna leaves
  • Nagarmotha decoction of rhizomes and roots
  • Amla root extract with black pepper or leaf and stem juice
  • Sajina/Sahigan bark

"Acanthaceae, Amaranthaceae, Apocynaceae, Araceae, Asteraceae, Caesalpiniaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Moraceae, Rubiaceae, Rutaceae, and Zingiberaceae are the most significant families from which a variety of plants are used," the authors of the article wrote.

More research needs to be done on the efficacy and mechanism of ankol as an antidote for snake and scorpion venom.

Ankol for dog bite and the bite of other animals

Many times people get bitten by animals. Be it in the case of a dog bite or rodents, a paste of the root as well as bark can be made and applied topically on the affected area.

Please note that this remedy should not be seen as a substitute for a doctor's visit and prescription drugs. Do ask your doctor if you can apply the ankol paste in addition to the medicines he/she suggests as some medicines can interact with ankol phytochemicals.

Ankol for jaundice and liver protection

The root bark powder of ankol is considered to be beneficial for those who have jaundice. Not only is it said to reduce the bilirubin levels but it also helps in controlling the inflammation of the liver.

Ankol for headache

Ankol oil imparts a soothing effect and is beneficial in providing relief from headaches. It is often used in combination with ashwagandha.

Animal studies have shown that taking ankol extract orally may help to reduce pain due to the presence of anti-inflammatory and analgesic compounds like flavonoids, tannins, phenolic compounds and alkaloids.

Having said that, you should talk to your doctor before taking herbal medicines for any ailments. Also, mention any medicines you may be taking to your Ayurvedic and/or allopathic doctor, so they can advise you properly on whether the drugs could interact with each other or not.

It is possible that any dosage under 2,000 mg in a day is safe. However, an overdose could have the following side effects:

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Medicines / Products that contain Ankol

References

  1. Thanigaivel A., Vasantha-Srinivasan P., Edwin E.S., Ponsankar A., Selin-Rani S., Chellappandian M., Kalaivani K., Senthil-Nathan S. and Benelli G. Development of an eco-friendly mosquitocidal agent from Alangium salvifolium against the dengue vector Aedes aegypti and its biosafety on the aquatic predator. Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, April 2018; 25(11): 10340-10352. doi: 10
  2. Venkateshwarlu R., Butchi Raju A. and Yerragunta V.G. Phytochemistry and pharmacology of Alangium salvifolium: A review. Journal of Pharmacy Research, 2011; 4(5):1423-1425.
  3. Peterson N. Venomous snake bites. In "Clinical Small Animal Internal Medicine", 30 April 2020. EPub: 30 June 2020. Print ISBN: 9781118497067 Online ISBN: 9781119501237
  4. Namita P. and Mukesh R. Medicinal plants used as antimicrobial agents: A review. International Research Journal of Pharmacy, 2012; 3(1): 31-40.
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