The Shyonak, or Oroxylum indicum, is a tiny perennial tree that grows 8–15 meters tall and is primarily found in evergreen forests.

The plant has 0.5–1.5 m long, 2-3 pinnate leaves with opposing pinnae, 2-4 pairs of leaflets that are 6–12 cm long and 4–10 cm broad, elliptic or oblong, acuminate, and glabrous, and 6–15 mm long petioles on the lateral leaflets. There are many, 0.3–0.6 meter long flowers with pinkish-yellow and reddish-purple interiors. The flower stalks are one foot in length.

General Description

Shyonak, also known as Oroxylum indicum, is mentioned in several Ayurvedic texts, including the Charak Samhita and Sushrut. As an antiseptic and astringent, Charak has advised Shyonak for non-healing ulcers, feminine problems, and dysentery.

Shyonak leaves have aloe-emodin and anthraquinone, which make them emollient.

Due to their anti-allergic qualities, the root and stem bark are used to treat measles, erythema, urticaria, jaundice, asthma, sore throats, laryngitis, hoarseness, diarrhea, and dysentery in infants.

This herb's chemical components include chrysin, aloe-emodin, baicalein, tetetuin, and oroxindin.

Classification

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Division: Magnoliophyta
• Class: Magnoliopsida
• Order: Lamiales
• Family: Bignoniaceae
• Genus: Oroxylum
• Species: Indicum

Habitat

Found up to 1000 meters high in the warmer regions of India, where it is often grown as an avenue tree. This tree can be found all over India, from the Himalayas to the Konkan, Malabar, Western Ghats, and Coro Mandal, at an elevation of up to 1200 meters. It is rarely seen in the dry western regions and prefers the damp areas of deciduous and evergreen woods.

Additionally, it is found throughout Southeast Asia, extending eastward to the Philippines and Indonesia via China, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

Names

• English name – Broken Bones Tree, Midnight Horror, Oroxylum, Kampong, Indian trumpet flower.
• Hindi Name – Sonapatha 
• Telugu Name – Dundilam/ Pampini
• Bengali Name – Sona, Shona
• Marathi & Gujarati Name - Tentu
• Tamil name – Addi
• Assamese Name - Bhatghila
• Kannada Name - Tigadu mara, tattuna, Tigda, Tiguda
• Malayalam Name – Palagapaimani
• Oriya Name - Phanphania, Tatelo, Archangkawm
• Nepalese Name – Tatelo
• Sri Lanka Name - Totila, Thotil
• Chinese Name - butterfly tree, Hanyu pinyin: mù húdié

Ayurvedic Properties

Effects on Doshas

It balances Kapha-Vata doshas.

Classical Categorization

Practical Uses

This herbal plant is widely used due of its numerous health benefits, which include anti-inflammatory, diuretic, astringent, expectorant, anti-arthritic, antipyretic, aphrodisiac, antifungal, and antibacterial action. It is also thought to contain antitumor elements.

• Its leaf decoction is useful internally for boosting hunger.
• An enlarged spleen can be treated by applying heated, fresh leaves of the Oroxylum indicum plant directly to the skin.
• Its root decoction helps treat dysentery and diarrhea.
• The root is also helpful in the treatment of anorexia.
• Even rheumatoid arthritis has been reported to benefit from the root.
• This herb's roots can help with fever, cough, and colds.
• This plant's seeds contain a purgative substance that makes it an efficient treatment for constipation.
• Wounds and boils can be treated using seed paste.
• In certain parts of the world, the paste formed from the powdered bark is applied as a treatment for conditions like scabies, oral cancer, and other skin conditions.
• The probability of conception may rise if the powdered seeds are used.
• To get immediate relief from tonsil pain, people typically apply bark paste to the neck and throat.
• The fruit portion of the tree might enhance flavor.
• Fruit has many health benefits for the skin, including wound healing and blood detoxification.
• This fruit can help with psychological issues in children as well as gynecological illnesses.
• Fruit is even good for cardiac issues.
• The root's bitter bark is astringent, tonic, and blood purifier.

Part Used

• Root, Bark, Fruit, leaves, and stem

Dosage

• Powder - 3-6 gm
• Water decoction - 40-80 ml

Caution

• As of yet, there are no recognized adverse effects.
• It has been determined that using it on children and during lactation is safe.
• It must only be used under medical supervision during pregnancy.