Ironwood Tree

The Ironwood Tree is a medium-sized very hard-wooded tree and hence the name. The trunk and branches of the tree are smooth and hairless. The bark of the tree is ash-coloured and its belongs to the plant family Guttiferae. The oblong-lanceolate leaves are red when young and when mature they are dark green and 7.5-12.5 cm. long. The white flowers, in position are axillary or terminal and 2.5-7.5 cm. in diameter. They are aromatic with four cup-like sepals. The stamens are many and golden yellow in colour. The fruits 2.5-3 cm. long, are surrounded by the enlarge sepals. The seeds, 1-4, are angular, brown in colour and smooth.

MEDICINAL USE:
*Bronchitis and gastritis.
*Scabies, sores and wounds.
*Bleeding piles.
*Common colds.

HOW TO USE:
*For bronchitis and gastritis, grind or mash one teaspoon each of the bark and the root and boil in
  one tumbler of water. Add one teaspoon of good honey and sip.
*For scabies, sores and wounds, crush to cups of the plant seeds and extract the oil. Apply this oil
  on the affected areas.
*In case of bleeding piles, grind the dried flowers into a very fine powder. Mix one teaspoon of this
  powder with one cup of warm water and drink it. It is also advisable to grind the dried flowers into a
  very fine powder, mix with some clarified butter of ghee and apply externally as an ointment.
*To take care of common colds, take a piece of muslin cloth and put into it some leaves from the
  Ironwood tree. Tie the four ends to make a pad. Heat over the flame and apply on head, chest and  
  neck.

PARTS USED:
*Bark, flowers, fruits, leaves, oil, root and seeds.

DOSE:
As recommended above.

Normal Dosage For:

Adults: 4 or 5 cups a day.
Aged 6 to 9 years: 2 cups a day
Aged 2 to 5 years: 1 cup a day
1 to 2 years: 1/2 cup a day
Below 1 year: 1/4 or less cup a day

A Useful Table for Quick Measurements:
1 tbsp = 5 grams (green herb)
1 dessertspoon = 2 grams (dry herb)
1 teaspoon = 25 drops
1 cup = 16 tbsp

1 litre = 7 or 8 cups