Characteristics: Kuchala or Kanjiram is the Nakshatra Tree for those born in Aswathy nakshatram or Aswini nakshatra. According to Hindu astrology, a tree or plant is associated with each Nakshatra and worshipping their Nakshatra tree is believed to bring positive influence in life.It is an important medicinal tree which has its mention in ancient system of medicine. The seeds of ripe fruit are poisonous, hence the name. Kanjiram Tree has medicinal properties for the treatment of skin diseases and muscular pains. The plant is used for the treatment of arthritis, hypertension, and dementia.

Characteristics: The tree is considered sacred as God Vishnu is believed to dwell in it. The tree is worshiped on Amalaka Ekadashi. In other beliefs, Amla is said to have originated from the drops of Amrit which spilled on earth accidentally, because of the fight of Gods and Demons after ksheera sagar manthan. And hence also this religious belief makes claims that it almost cures every disease and is also good in extending the longevity of life. The tree is small to medium in size, reaching 1–8 m in height. The fruit is nearly spherical, light greenish yellow, quite smooth and hard on appearance, with six vertical stripes or furrows. All parts of the plant are used in various Ayurvedic/ Unani medicine and herbal preparations.

Characteristics: In the Atharva Veda, this fig tree (Sanskrit: udumbara) is given prominence as a means for acquiring prosperity and vanquishing foes. The bark of the tree is said to have healing power. In countries like India, the bark is rubbed on a stone with water to make a paste and the paste is applied over the skin which is afflicted by boils or mosquito bites. Ficus is a genus of tropical trees, which are mostly evergreen. It is relatively an ancient genus being at least sixty million years old. The unseen flower is a myth developed to explain the absence of a visual flower. The truth is that the flowers are enclosed within the fruit. The fig fruit is a multiple fruit in which the flowers and seeds grow together to form a single mass

Characteristics: A slow growing species, it can reach heights of up to 30 m and can live more than 100 years. Its dense foliage provides shade and is grown just for its ornamental value. At the base of the tree, the bark is rough and dark grey, becoming lighter grey and smoother higher up. The wood is water resistant. The leaves which have an aroma similar to turpentine, are pinkish when young, changing to a leathery, glossy dark green with a yellow midrib as they mature. The seed of the fruit is used in various alternative healing systems like Ayurveda to control diabetes, Unani and Chinese medicine for digestive ailments. Wine and vinegar are also made from the fruit. It has a high source in vitamin A and vitamin C.

Characteristics: Is a deciduous, thorny tree which grows up to 15 m in height. Early growth is slow, and it grows well on most soils, but well drained, shallow to medium – depth sandy soils suit it best. A wood extract called catechu is used for sore throats and diarrhea. The concentrated aqueous extract, known as khayer gum or cutch, is an astringent. In ayurveda, it is used for rasayana (rejuvenation treatments). It is also used for its actions like anti-dyslipidemic, anthelminthic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diuretic, anti-pruritic, coolant, taste promoting, enhancing digestion and curing skin disorders.

Characteristics: Karimaram is a tree in the family, Ebenaceae (Ebony family), endemic to the leeward side of Western Ghats of India and Sri Lanka. With mature crowns occupying the canopy layer of the forest, they are known as canopy trees. Unripe fruit, leaf, fruit, bark are used as laxative, aphrodisiac; also in nasal bleeding, flatulence, anaemia, burns and scabies. This middle-high evergreen tree grows very slowly up to 20–25 meters tall. Nowadays purchasing Ceylon ebony wood is next to impossible because the tree is rare and its wood is highly valuable. It is hardy, easy to polish, has practically no pitting, provides glossy smooth surface, and is water and termites resistant.

Characteristics: Mula or Bamboo is the Nakshatra Tree for those born in Punartham nakshatram . According to Hindu astrology, a tree or plant is associated with each Nakshatra and worshipping their Nakshatra tree is believed to bring positive influence in life.It is a tall, dull green colored bamboo species with greyish green when mature. It is composed of few closely growing culms. It reaches a height of 6-23 m. Mula is an ornamental and utilitarian plant. It is used for construction and furniture making. It’s shoot is consumed as food.

Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment (bodhi) while meditating underneath a Ficus religiosa. Ficus religiosa is grown by specialty tree plant nurseries for use as an ornamental tree, in gardens and parks in tropical and subtropical climates. Peepal trees are native to India and thrive in hot, humid weather. They prefer full sunlight and can grow in most soil types, though loam is the best. While it is possible for the plant to grow indoors in a pot, it grows best outside. Ficus religiosa is used in traditional medicine for about 50 types of disorders including asthma, diabetes, diarrhea, epilepsy, gastric problems, and inflammatory disorders, infectious and sexual disorders.

Characteristics: It is an evergreen beautiful tree which tolerates variety of soils. It has fragrant flowers & is often planted for ornamental purpose. The oil extracted from the seeds is used to make Biodiesel. Many species are used for their wood. C. inophyllum is a low-branching and slow-growing tree with a broad and irregular crown. It usually reaches 8 to 20 m (26 to 66 ft) in height. Because of its decorative leaves, fragrant flowers, and spreading crown, it is best known as an ornamental plant. C. inophyllum is the source of tamanu oil, a greenish, nutty-scented oil of commercial value. It has been used as massage oil, topical medicine, lamp oil, and waterproofing, and is still used in cosmetics. Tacamahac is the resin of the tree. The fatty acid methyl esters derived from C. inophyllum seed oil meets the major biodiesel requirements

Characteristics: Ficus benghalensis is the national tree of the Republic of India. The tree is considered sacred in India,and temples are often built beneath. Due to the large size of the tree’s canopy it provides useful shade in hot climates. In Theravada Buddhism, this tree is said to have been used as the tree for achieved enlightenment, or Bodhi by the twenty seventh Lord Buddha called “Kassapa” . The giant banyan trees of India are the largest trees in the world by canopy coverage. Ficus benghalensis produces propagating roots which grow downwards as aerial roots. Once these roots reach the ground they grow into woody trunks.

Characteristics: Palash is a sacred tree, referred to as treasurer of Gods and is dedicated to the Goddess Kali. The tree is said to have sprung from the feather of a falcon impregnated with the Somarasa, the beverage of the Gods and thus immortalised. This decorative tree thrives well in black, cotton soil, in salt lands and even in water logged places. The tree is very drought resistant and frost hardy. It is easily propagated by seeds and grows rapidly in full sunlight. The name itself suggests a lot about the tree. At the beginning of the summer, the leafless tree flowers abundantly and is very conspicuous in the forest.

Characteristics: The estimates of the size of the Indian laurel fig vary from 25 to 30 feet high . Its dense, rounded canopy spreads as the tree matures, typically becoming wider than the tree is high. The discrepancy in reported size is affected by climate and whether the trees have room to grow and spread. Indian laurel figs can be pruned as hedges, screens or topiary, and their twisted, rustic trunks make them a favorite for growing in pots as bonsai.

Characteristics: Indian hog plum native to Indian sub-continent and famous as wild mango, famed for its medicinal values. It is a deciduous tree with medium-sized trunk and thick, smooth, grey, aromatic bark. The leaves are compound having 3-5 pairs of leaflets and elliptical in shape with attractive smell. The fruit pulp is either eaten fresh or made into juice, concentrate, jellies, and sherbets. The parts like fruits, leaves and barks are used for various treatments. The juice of both the fruit and the leaves is used to treat earache, the bark is recommended for stomach ache, dysentery, rheumatism and swollen joints. In tribal medicine roots are used for regulating menstruation.

Characteristics: Koovalam/ commonly known as bael , also Bengal quince, or wood apple, is a species of tree native to Bangladesh and India.The tree is considered to be sacred by Hindus. The tree is in fact regarded as one of the sacred trees of Indian heritage. The leaves of the tree are used to worship Lord Shiva and without the use of this, the worship is incomplete. The plant species act as a climate purifier by absorbing poisonous gas from the atmosphere. It has a reputation in India for being able to grow in places that other trees cannot. It copes with a wide range of soil conditions, is tolerant of water logging and has an unusually wide temperature tolerance. It requires a pronounced dry season to give fruit.

Characteristics: In Sanskrit, the word arjuna means bright, silver or “shining,” expressing the shining quality of the bark of the very tall deciduous arjuna tree that grows up to 90 feet. Once a year the bark naturally molts or peels, making this beneficial bark accessible for harvest. The arjuna is about 20–25 metres tall; usually has a buttressed trunk, and forms a wide canopy at the crown, from which branches drop downwards. In India, this herb has commanded well-deserved respect from the research community. The bark from the Arjuna tree has been used for thousands of years in Ayurveda to support numerous health concerns.

Characteristics: The Nagkesar tree is very beautiful and known for its ornamental value. The new foliage can be strikingly attractive as it’s red in colour which turns creamy yellow afterwards, giving the tree a wonderful appearance. The flower is the state flower of Tripura and the tree itself is the state tree of Mizoram. Medicinally, it is well known species in traditional medicine of Ayurveda and admired all over India as well as overseas. Many parts of the tree has digestant, antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, anthelmintic and haemostatic activity. It also known to enhance the complexion. It leads to fragility transparency to the skin. Oil from the seeds is used for sores, scabies, wounds and rheumatism.

Characteristics: Mimusops elengi is a medium-sized evergreen tree found in tropical forests in South Asia, Southeast Asia and northern Australia. English common names include Spanish cherry, medlar, and bulletwood. Its timber is valuable, the fruit is edible, and it is used in traditional medicine. As the trees give thick shade and flowers emit fragrance, it is a prized collection of gardens. Bullet wood is an evergreen tree reaching a height of about 16 m . It flowers in April, and fruiting occurs in June. Leaves are glossy, dark green and oval-shaped. Flowers are cream, hairy, and scented. Bark is thick and appears dark brownish black or grayish black in colour, with striations and a few cracks on the surface.

Characteristics: Medium tree seen in semi evergreen and evergreen forests and in the plains. Seen in peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Roots are useful in treatment of mental disorders, headache, fever, jaundice. Leaves are used as shampoo for cleaning hair.The plant is also used as a traditional medicine for healing skin diseases.

Characteristics: Large handsome, evergreen tree 20-30 m height with grey thick bark often blotched with green and white; found in Western Ghats up to 1200 m along the streams. Bark, resin and oil have medicinal properties. The resin extracted by scratching the tree’s bark is used as incense in India. The resin is also used as an Ayurvedic medicine. Resin made from boswellia extract has been used for centuries in Asian and African folk medicine. It’s believed to treat chronic inflammatory illnesses as well as a number of other health conditions. Boswellia is available as a resin, pill, or cream. Because boswellia is an effective anti-inflammatory, it can be an effective painkiller and may prevent the loss of cartilage.

Characteristics: Commonly called Indian willow, is a medium-sized tree of wet and swampy places, shedding its leaves at the end of monsoon season. It flowers after leafing. The bark is rough, with deep, vertical fissures and the young shoots leaves are silky. The leaves are lance-like, or ovate-lance like, 8–15 cm long, with minutely and regularly toothed margins. The dried and powdered leaves are mixed with sugar and given for the treatment of several diseases, such as rheumatism, epilepsy, swelling, piles, venereal diseases, and stones in bladder

Characteristics: The jackfruit tree is well suited to tropical lowlands, and its fruit is the largest tree-borne fruit, reaching as much as 35 kg (80 lb) in weight. It can produce about 100 to 200 fruits in a year. The jackfruit is a multiple fruit, composed of hundreds to thousands of individual flowers, and it is the fleshy petals that are eaten. The word “jackfruit” comes from Portuguese jaca, which in turn is derived from the Malayalam language term chakka. Archeological findings in India have revealed that jackfruit was cultivated in India 3000 to 6000 years ago. The unripe fruits are acrid, astringent, carminative and tonic. The ripe fruits are sweet, cooling, laxative, aphrodisiac and tonic. The seeds are sweet, diuretic, aphrodisiac and constipating. The wood is nervine sedative and is useful in convulsions.

Characteristics: It is a large hardy milky shrub 1-5 m in height distributed throughout India; grow in waste lands, by the roads and dry barren areas. Root is used in cutaneous diseases, cough, asthma, gastric secretions. Leaves used in paralysis, arthralgia, swellings and intermittent fevers; flowers used in anorexia and tumours. In India, the plant is common in the compounds of temples and is known as Madar in Hind. Its leaf is one of the five leaves used in the Panch Pallava, a ritual assortment of five different leaves used as a totem by the Maratha culture in India. Calotropis yields a durable fiber useful for ropes, carpets, fishing nets, and sewing thread. Floss, obtained from seeds, is used for stuffing purposes.

Characteristics: Grown as a hedge throughout the dry and arid regions of India. Bark has antiinflammatory activity, used in scorpion sting; flowers used to prevent miscarriage. Referred to as the golden tree of Indian deserts, it plays a vital role in preserving the ecosystem of arid and semi-arid areas. It is the state tree of Rajasthan and Telangana. During Vedic times, khejri wood was used to kindle the sacred fire for performing a yajana. The worshipping of this tree is referred to as samipuja. The wood of P. cineraria is a good fuel source, and provides excellent charcoal plus firewood, fodder, green manure and goat-proof thorny fences.

Characteristics: In Hindu mythology, Kadam was the favourite tree of Krishna. A medium sized tree, about 20 m height and 1.5-2 m girth seen in moist and warm type of deciduous and evergreen forests. Bark is used in inflammation, gastric disorders, fever, cough, diarrhea, vomiting, burning sensation, uterine complaints, eye diseases, wounds, ulcers and debility. A decoction of the leaves is good for ulcers, wounds and worms. The fruits are useful in gastric irritability and fever. Root is diuretic. The flowers are used in perfumes. The tree is grown as an ornamental plant and for timber and paper-making.

Characteristics: Mangifera indica, commonly known as mango. The species appears to have been domesticated in India at around 2000 BC. In Theravada Buddhism, mango is said to have used as the tree for achieved enlightenment, or Bodhi by twenty third Lord Buddha. In ayurveda, it is used in a Rasayana formula, clearing digestion and acidity due to pitta (heat), sometimes with other mild sours and shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) and guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia). In this oriental system of traditional medicines, varied medicinal properties are attributed to different parts of the mango tree, both as food and medicine. It is anti-diuretic, anti-diarrheal, anti-emetic and cardiac herb.

Characteristics: Borassus flabellifer is a robust tree and can reach a height of 30 metres (98 ft). The trunk is grey, robust and ringed with leaf scars; old leaves remain attached to the trunk for several years before falling cleanly. The fruit is sweet, cooling; intoxicating, fattening, aphrodisiac, tonic, laxative, useful in burning sensations, thirst, fatigue, blood complaints; the seed is diuretic and laxative. The fermented juice is tonic, fattening, aphrodisiac, intoxicating, expectorant; when freshly drawn it is useful in inflammatory affections and dropsy; slightly fermented it is used in diabetes. It is also diuretic and prescribed in chronic gonorrhea.

Characteristics: A large deciduous tree found in mixed deciduous forests. It is common throughout central India. Bark, leaves and flowers are useful in coughs, chronic bronchitis, general debility and piles. Oil obtained from seeds is useful for application in skin diseases and chronic rheumatism. It is also used in inflammations, sprains, epilepsy and dermatopathy. It is a fast-growing tree that grows to approximately 20 meters in height, possesses evergreen or semi-evergreen foliage. Its oleaginous seeds (producing between 20 and 200 kg of seeds annually per tree) makes fat which is used for the care of the skin, to manufacture soap or detergents, and as a vegetable butter. The flowers are used to produce an alcoholic drink in tropical India.