Upas tree, Arrow poison tree

HERBAL GARDEN

चन्दकुडा (Chandkuda)

Classification

Synoyms

Vishadruma, Vishavriksha, Upasavriksha, Vishataru

Habit

Large evergreen tree, up to 30–40 meters tall with milky latex.

Habitat

Found in tropical rainforests of India — especially in Western Ghats, Andaman Islands, and northeastern parts of India. Also distributed in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Southeast Asia.

Morphology

Stem/Bark: Greyish-brown, rough; exudes milky latex when cut.
Leaves: Simple, alternate, ovate-lanceolate, serrate margins, rough above, hairy beneath.
Flowers: Small, greenish-yellow, unisexual; male flowers in clusters, female solitary.
Fruits: Small, fleshy, red or orange drupes, resembling figs.
Latex: Thick, white, highly toxic.

Chemical Composition

Cardiac glycosides: Antiarioside A, Antiarioside B, Cardenolides
Triterpenoids: β-amyrin, lupeol, friedelin
Flavonoids: Quercetin, kaempferol
Saponins and tannins
Latex: Contains toxic principles antiarin, toxicarioside A and B (cardiac poisons)

Guna-Karma

Rasa- Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent)
Guna- Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry)
Virya- Ushna (Hot)
Vipaka- Katu (Pungent)
Karma- Krimighna (Anthelmintic), Jvaraghna (Antipyretic), Shothahara (Anti-inflammatory), Vranaropaka (Wound healer), Vatsanahapaha (antitoxic when properly processed), Kaphavatahara (Pacifies Kapha and Vata).
Doshakarma- Pacifies Kapha and Vata doshas.

Medicinal uses

Processed bark used in chronic skin diseases and ulcers.
Leaf extract used in fever and inflammatory swellings (external application).
Bark decoction used traditionally for diarrhea and worms.
Used externally in rheumatic pain and skin eruptions.
The purified latex, in extremely minute doses (under supervision), was historically used for cardiac ailments (similar to digitalis action).

Useful Part

Bark, Leaves, Latex (after purification)

Doses

Bark decoction: 30–50 ml
Bark powder: 2–4 g
Purified latex (Bhavita form): 1–2 drops (only under expert Ayurvedic supervision)

Important Formulation

Vishadruma Taila (external use for joint pain and skin disease)
Chandkuda Kwatha (used in fever and swelling)
Vishaghna Lepa (antitoxic paste — classical references in regional Nighantus)

Shloka

विषवृक्षो विषघ्नश्च कफवातहरोऽनलः।
कृमिघ्नो ज्वरनाशश्च शोथहरो विषोदयः॥

Hindi Name

चन्दकुडा, विषवृक्ष, विषकडम्ब

English Name