Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants
Ben Teak
Family: Lythraceae (Crape Myrtle family
Genus: Lagerstroemia
Botanical name: Lagerstroemia microcarpa
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
Sanskrit: Harsingar
Hindi:
English: Ben teak
Malayalam: Ventheek, Vallilav, Vellialvu
Genus: Lagerstroemia
Botanical name: Lagerstroemia microcarpa
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
Sanskrit: Harsingar
Hindi:
English: Ben teak
Malayalam: Ventheek, Vallilav, Vellialvu
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Ben teak is a deciduous tree, native to the moist forests of Western Ghats, growing to 10-15 m tall. The bark is ash colored and peels off in strips. Oppositely arranged elliptic-lancelike leaves are 6-10 cm long, with 1 cm long stalks. Flowers are borne in large compound panicles, 20-30 cm long. Flowers are small, white, 1 cm across, with 6 oblong petals 6 mm long. Capsule is ellipsoid, 1-2 cm long. Seeds are winged. Flowering: May-June.
Ben teak, is generally used as firewood and sometimes for fish stakes, and is also fit for house building.