Gmelina arborea, also known as beechwood, gmelina, goomar teak, Kashmir tree, Malay beechwood, white teak, and Yamane, locally referred to as gamhar, is a fast-growing deciduous tree in the Lamiaceae family.
The Lion Throne, the most important, and last surviving of the eight royal thrones of Myanmar, now resides in the National Museum in Yangon, carved from Gmelina arborea wood.
Habitat
It thrives in high-sunshine, low shade areas, propagated through seeds and vegetative methods.
Gmelina arborea grows naturally in India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and in southern provinces of China. It is found at altitudes from sea level to 1,500 meters (5,000 ft). Since the 1960s, it has been extensively introduced as a fast-growing timber tree in Brazil, Gambia, Honduras, Ivory Coast, Malaysia, Malawi, Nigeria, the Philippines, and Sierra Leone. It is also planted in gardens and avenues.
Phytochemistry
Lignans, such as 6″ – bromo – isoarboreol, 4-hydroxysesamin, 4,8-dihydroxysesamin, 1,4-dihydroxysesamin (gummadiol), 2-piperonyl-3-hydroxymethyl-4-(α-hydroxy-3,4-methylenedioxybenzyl)-4-hydroxytetrahydrofuran and the 4-O-glucoside of 4-epigummadiol, can be isolated from the heartwood of Gmelina arborea. The parent compounds are arboreolor gmelanone.
Umbelliferone 7-apiosylglucosidecan be isolated from the root.
Five constituents isolated from the heartwood of arborea, namely, (+)-7′-O-ethyl arboreol, (+)-paulownin, (+)-gmelinol, (+)-epieudesminand (−)-β-sitosterol, exhibit antifungal activity.
Nutritional Prowess
Stem bark possesses galactagogue, laxative, anthelmintic, stomachic properties, and is useful for low milk supply, low appetite, hallucination, burning sensations, fevers, piles, abdominal pains, and urinary discharge.
Having blood purifying, demulcent, tonic, stomachic, laxative, galactagogue, antibilious, and centrifuge qualities, gambhari roots are used for treating constipation, dyspepsia, hyperdipsia, hemorrhoids, cough, rheumatism, fever, heart diseases, nervous disorders, piles, burning sensation, and hallucination.
The carminative and pain-relieving properties of the leaves help treat stomach problems and headaches.
Having acrid and astringent properties and a bitter taste, flowers of Gambhari aids in leprosy, blood, and skin diseases.
Gambhari fruits have aphrodisiac, astringent, diuretic, and tonic qualities, used for promoting hair growth, quenching excessive thirst, treating fever, ulcers, anemia, and leprosy.
Also relieves rheumatoid arthritis, body pain, osteoarthritis, pain in the spinal column and lower back, muscle pain and myalgia, enhances stomach fire, aids in digestion, treats indigestion, relieves burning sensation, stimulates appetite, and treats respiratory disorders.
Dermatological Perks
Aids in leprosy, blood, and skin diseases.
Follicular Fortification
The fruit of gambhari is efficient in nourishing hair and improving hair growth.
