Page 62 - Major Gum Resin-E-Book

Exudate Gums

Konkani: Mashinga
Malayalam: Murungakka, Munuga, Murung, Murung-a-kai, Shewga, Muringai,
Tamil: Murungai, Murungamaram
Telagu: Mochakamu, Mulaga, Mulaga Chettu, Mulage, Munaga, Munaga Chettu, Sajana,
Sigrupa, Sitavrykshamu, Tellamunaga
Habitat and distribution

It is indigenous to Sub-Himalayan tracts, widely cultivated throughout the tropical
countries. It is medium-sized deciduous tree found and cultivated throughout India.

Description
It is a small, lovely, deciduous tree with thin foliage. Tree trunk is crooked, habitually
forked from near the base. Bark is smooth and corky grey. Crown is wide, open, resembling
umbrella shaped. Due to soft nature of wood branches are easily breakable. Leaves are
alternate, tripinnate, bearing leaflets in opposite pairs. Terminal leaflet is slightly larger
than others and rounded-elliptic. Flowers are small, whitish and honey scented. Flowering
is heavy in clusters on panicles. Fruit is a elongated capsule with approximately 9 seeds.
Fruits when dry splits and seed are dispersed in the wind with three-cornered wings. The
tree trunk exudes white to reddish gum initially which changes to brown or brownish black
upon exposure to sunlight.
Flowering:

North India: January – March
South India: Throughout the year

Fruiting:
North India: March – May
South India: Throughout the year

Uses of Gum
The moringa tree exudes reddish-brown colored gum which is sparingly soluble in
water but swells in contact with water giving a highly viscous solution. Plant has many
important medicinal values from leaves, roots, bark, gum, seeds, flowers and fruits for the
treatment of various oilment in the indigenous system of medicine including the treatment
of inflammation and infection diseases alongwith cardio vascular, gastrointestinal,
hematalogical and hepatorenal disorders. The gum particularly is used in treatment of
dental caries, as an astringent and in controlling blood pressure. It is also used in calico
printing, as a condiment, and for stomach and bladder ailments.

Major gum and resin plants of India 53