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nalin1 |
On Sep 24, 2006, nalin1 from New Delhi
(India)
(Zone 10a) wrote:I recently planted this tree in my meditation garden near another very beautiful tree--saraca indica (sita ashok) with a rose climber wall as the backdrop.
Mesua ferrea is one of India's highly regarded and sacred trees. Also known as the 'nagkeshar' , 'nagchampa' or 'cobra's saffron' tree, it is a medium size tree that has exquisitely fragrant flowers and a slightly aromatic bark. Flowers are used in the perfumery and fragrance trade. My favorite incense is made from this flower and popularly available under the trade name 'Nagchampa'.
In the Buddhist tradition, the future Buddha (Maitreya) is depicted with a Nagkeshar flower. Oil for Buddhist temple lamps include oil from the seeds of this plant, and the flowers are preferred offerings at Buddhist temples.
Oil from the flowers have significant antifungal, antibacterial, antiinflammatory and anti-hemorrhagic qualities, as well as anthelmintic (deworming) properties. Extracts from flowers, seeds, leaves and bark have been used in Ayurvedic medicines from ancient times as well as being so used today.
Nagkeshar's natural habitat in India is from the northern Himalayan regions and southward to the Deccan peninsula, and the Andaman Islands upto a height of about 1500 metres (5000 feet).
This tree is also found in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Maynmar (Burma), Cambodia. The Nagkeshar flower is the Indian state of Tripura’s state flower and the tree is Sri Lanka's national tree. The oldest manmade forest in Sri Lanka is a Mesua ferrea forest occupying almost 100 hectares descending from trees planted during the 8th century AD in King Dappula IV's reign.
A tree of many healing, pleasing and attractive qualities.
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One member has or wants this plant for trade.
