Chaulmugra
Hydnocarpus kurzii
Family: Achariaceae
What it is like
Chaulmugra or Hydnocarpus kurzii is a tree growing up to 20-30 m tall and 15 m wide that can be found in East Asia. The leaves are oblong. The fruits are used as a fish poison. Chaulmugra oil obtained from the seed is used in the treatment of leprosy. Bark decoction is drunk as a general tonic to improve health and in the treatment of skin conditions and internal disorders. The roots and seeds are used by Thai traditional doctors for skin diseases.
Hydnocarpus kurzii is an evergreen Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 15
Where it is found
Evergreen forests at elevations of 600 - 1,800 metres.
E. Asia - northeast India, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam.
Conservation Status: Status: Data Deficient
Countries/locations it is found in
India; Myanmar, Asia, Burma, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, Pacific, SE Asia, USA,
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 4
The oil extracted from the seeds, known as 'chaulmugra oil', has a long history of use in the treatment of leprosy. When applied externally, and by direct infiltration of the lesions, it has been shown to be effective in decreasing the size of nodules, numb patches, and skin lesions. The active principles are unusual cyclopentenic fatty acids including chaulmoogric acid. The precise molecular mycobactericidal mode of action is still unknown.. The oil contains chaulmoogric and hydnocarpic fatty acids. A decoction of the bark is drunk as a general tonic to improve health and in the treatment of internal disorders and skin diseases. The roots, as well as the seeds, are used by Thai traditional doctors in the treatment of skin diseases. An exciting development from this plant is the observation that the oil, when applied to the skin, increases the strength of scar tissue and strengthens the collagen tissue in wounds. Hence some cosmetic and or dermatological application may be possible. In addition, the lignans hydnowightin, hydnocarpin, and neohydnocarpin have been isolated in the plant. These have been shown to have cytotoxic potential against various forms of cancer.
Cancer: Used in the treatment of cancer.
Leprosy: Used to treat leprosy - a chronic bacterial infection of the skin and superficial nerves (in the skin) caused by Mycobacterium leprae.
Skin: Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.
Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
Other
Rating: 0
How it is grown
A plant of the wet tropics, where it can be found at elevations up to 1,800 metres. The plant grows best in areas where annual daytime annual temperatures fall within the range 28 - 34°c, though it is tolerant of 7 - 42°c. It is tolerant of temperatures to below 2.5°c. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 3,500 - 6,500mm, but can tolerate 2,000 - 8,000mm. Succeeds in full sun and light shade. Tolerant of a range of soils, preferring a pH in the range 4.5 - 5, but tolerating 4 - 5.5.
Propagating it: Seed
Best place to grow:
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 10-12
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
The seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides and are toxic. It is advised not to eat pigs nor fish that have been feeding on the seeds, as their flesh induces nausea and vomiting.
Its other names
Local names
Dalmugri, Chaulmugra, Niradi-muttu, Lamtem, Dieng-soh-lap, Balibu, Rowai-thing, chaulmoogra, chaulmoogra oil tree, chaulmoograträd, cholmugra, nirati, tuvaraka.
Synonyms
Taraktogenos kurzii King