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==Appearance==
==Appearance==
[[File:Salvadora persica (Peelu) W IMG_6940.jpg|thumb|left|Leaves & flowers in [[Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[India]]. ]]
[[File:Salvadora persica (Peelu) W IMG_6940.jpg|thumb|left|Leaves & flowers in [[Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[India]]. ]]
''Salvadora persica'' is a small [[tree]] or [[shrub]] with a crooked trunk, seldom more than one foot in diameter. Its [[bark]] is scabrous and cracked, whitish with pendulous extremities. The root bark of the tree is similar to sand, and the inner surfaces are an even lighter shade of brown. It has a pleasant fragrance, of cress or mustard, as well as a warm and pungent taste. The leaves break with a fine crisp crackle when trodden on. The tree grows to a maximum height of three meters.<ref>{{cite journal | author = Ra'ed I. Al Sadhan, Khalid Almas | year = 1999 | title = Miswak (chewing Stick): A Cultural And Scientific Heritage. | journal = Saudi Dental Journal | volume = 11 | issue = 2 | pages = 80-88 }}</ref> In Pakistan these ancient, majestic and sturdy trees are more closely associated with graveyards like the cypress tree in English culture.{{clear-left}}
''Salvadora persica'' is a small [[tree]] or [[shrub]] with a crooked trunk, seldom more than one foot in diameter. Its [[bark]] is scabrous and cracked, whitish with pendulous extremities. The root bark of the tree is similar to sand, and the inner surfaces are an even lighter shade of brown. It has a pleasant fragrance, of cress or mustard, as well as a warm and pungent taste. The leaves break with a fine crisp crackle when trodden on. The tree grows to a maximum height of three meters.<ref name="heritage">{{cite journal | author = Ra'ed I. Al Sadhan, Khalid Almas | year = 1999 | title = Miswak (chewing Stick): A Cultural And Scientific Heritage. | journal = Saudi Dental Journal | volume = 11 | issue = 2 | pages = 80-88 }}</ref> In Pakistan these ancient, majestic and sturdy trees are more closely associated with graveyards like the cypress tree in English culture.{{clear-left}}
<ref>S. Abid Hussain, Associate Professor of English, Govt.Degree College No.1, Dera Ismail Khan/Pakistan</ref>
<ref>S. Abid Hussain, Associate Professor of English, Govt.Degree College No.1, Dera Ismail Khan/Pakistan</ref>


==History and use==
==History and use==
''Salvadora persica'' is a popular chewing stick throughout the [[Arabian Peninsula]], as well as the wider Muslim world.<ref>{{cite book | last = National Institute of Industrial Research | first = | authorlink = | title = Herbs Cultivation & Their Utilization | publisher = Asia Pacific Business Press | date = 2003 | location = Delhi | pages = chapter 2 | doi = | id = | isbn = 978-81-7833-064-8 }}</ref> Also commonly referred to as [[miswak]], it is often mentioned that the [[Prophets of Islam|Islamic Prophet]] [[Muhammad]] recommended its use. He is quoted in various [[Hadith]] advising the use of the siwak.<ref name="IslamKotob">IslamKotob, ''Muslims and Science'', (Islamic Books), p.30.</ref>
''Salvadora persica'' is a popular chewing stick throughout the [[Arabian Peninsula]], as well as the wider Muslim world.<ref>{{cite book | last = National Institute of Industrial Research | first = | authorlink = | title = Herbs Cultivation & Their Utilization | publisher = Asia Pacific Business Press | date = 2003 | location = Delhi | pages = chapter 2 | doi = | id = | isbn = 978-81-7833-064-8 }}</ref> Also commonly referred to as [[miswak]], it is often mentioned that the [[Prophets of Islam|Islamic Prophet]] [[Muhammad]] recommended its use. He is quoted in various [[Hadith]] advising the use of the siwak.<ref name="IslamKotob">IslamKotob, ''Muslims and Science'', (Islamic Books), p.30.</ref>

The fresh leaves can be eaten as part of a salad and are used in traditional medicine for
cough, asthma, scurvy, rheumatism, piles and other diseases.<ref name="heritage"/> The flowers are small and fragrant and
are used as a stimulant and are mildly purgative.<ref name="heritage"/> The berries are small and barely noticeable; they are
eaten both fresh and dried.<ref name="heritage"/>


In [[Namibia]] the mustard bush is used as a drought-resistant fodder plant for cattle. The [[Topnaar people]] that still live on the [[Kuiseb River]] use it to feed their goats. The plant's seeds can be used to extract a detergent oil.<ref name=drought/>
In [[Namibia]] the mustard bush is used as a drought-resistant fodder plant for cattle. The [[Topnaar people]] that still live on the [[Kuiseb River]] use it to feed their goats. The plant's seeds can be used to extract a detergent oil.<ref name=drought/>

Revision as of 23:33, 8 August 2015

Salvadora persica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Rosids
Order:
Brassicales
Family:
Salvadoraceae
Genus:
Salvadora
Species:
S. persica
Binomial name
Salvadora persica

Salvadora persica (Arak, Galenia asiatica, Meswak, Peelu, Pīlu, Salvadora indica, or toothbrush tree, mustard tree, mustard bush), is a species of Salvadora.[1][2] Salvadora persica has antiurolithiatic properties.[3] Used for centuries as a natural toothbrush, its fibrous branches have been promoted by the World Health Organization for oral hygiene use. Research suggests that it contains a number of medically beneficial properties including abrasives, antiseptics, astringent, detergents, enzyme inhibitors, and fluoride.[4][5][6][7][8][9]

Distribution

Native to: Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe[10] Also occurs in Namibia.[11]

Appearance

Leaves & flowers in Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Salvadora persica is a small tree or shrub with a crooked trunk, seldom more than one foot in diameter. Its bark is scabrous and cracked, whitish with pendulous extremities. The root bark of the tree is similar to sand, and the inner surfaces are an even lighter shade of brown. It has a pleasant fragrance, of cress or mustard, as well as a warm and pungent taste. The leaves break with a fine crisp crackle when trodden on. The tree grows to a maximum height of three meters.[12] In Pakistan these ancient, majestic and sturdy trees are more closely associated with graveyards like the cypress tree in English culture.

[13]

History and use

Salvadora persica is a popular chewing stick throughout the Arabian Peninsula, as well as the wider Muslim world.[14] Also commonly referred to as miswak, it is often mentioned that the Islamic Prophet Muhammad recommended its use. He is quoted in various Hadith advising the use of the siwak.[15]

The fresh leaves can be eaten as part of a salad and are used in traditional medicine for cough, asthma, scurvy, rheumatism, piles and other diseases.[12] The flowers are small and fragrant and are used as a stimulant and are mildly purgative.[12] The berries are small and barely noticeable; they are eaten both fresh and dried.[12]

In Namibia the mustard bush is used as a drought-resistant fodder plant for cattle. The Topnaar people that still live on the Kuiseb River use it to feed their goats. The plant's seeds can be used to extract a detergent oil.[11]

As of 2009, Botanic Gardens Conservation International has a total of eight Salvadora persica plants in conservation.[16]

Scientific analysis

According to chemical and phytochemical analysis of Salvadora persica, there was an occurrence of carbohydrates and/or trimethylamine; an alkaloid which may effectively be salvadorine; chlorides; sulfur; terpenes; vitamin C; glycosides; large amounts of fluoride and silica; small amounts of tannins, saponins, flavonoids and sterols.[17][18]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Salvadora persica". World Agroforestry Centre. Retrieved 2009-02-16.
  2. ^ "Salvadora persica". Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Retrieved 2009-02-16.
  3. ^ Geetha K, Manavalan R, Venkappayya D.,"Control of urinary risk factors of stone formation by Salvadora persica in experimental hyperoxaluria." Exp Clin Pharmacol. 2010 Nov;32(9):623-9
  4. ^ "Miswak Stick: The All Natural Toothbrush". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. ^ "Miswak Stick: The All Natural Toothbrush". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. ^ Batwa, Mohammed; Jan Bergström; Sarah Batwa; Meshari F. Al-Otaibi (2006). "Significance of chewing sticks (miswak) in oral hygiene from a pharmacological view-point". Saudi Dental Journal. 18 (3): 125–133. Retrieved 2009-02-16.
  7. ^ Araya, Yoseph (2008-04-15). "Contribution of Trees for Oral Hygiene in East Africa". Ethnobotanical Leaflets. 11: 38–44. Retrieved 2009-02-16.
  8. ^ Spina, Mary (1994-04-28). "Toothbrushes - the Miswak Tree" (TXT). University at Buffalo Reporter. 25 (26). Retrieved 2009-02-16.
  9. ^ "Miswak Stick: The All Natural Toothbrush". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  10. ^ http://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/Sea/Products/AFDbases/AF/asp/SpeciesInfo.asp?SpID=1477
  11. ^ a b Rothauge, Axel (25 February 2014). "Staying afloat during a drought". The Namibian.
  12. ^ a b c d Ra'ed I. Al Sadhan, Khalid Almas (1999). "Miswak (chewing Stick): A Cultural And Scientific Heritage". Saudi Dental Journal. 11 (2): 80–88.
  13. ^ S. Abid Hussain, Associate Professor of English, Govt.Degree College No.1, Dera Ismail Khan/Pakistan
  14. ^ National Institute of Industrial Research (2003). Herbs Cultivation & Their Utilization. Delhi: Asia Pacific Business Press. pp. chapter 2. ISBN 978-81-7833-064-8.
  15. ^ IslamKotob, Muslims and Science, (Islamic Books), p.30.
  16. ^ "Botanic Gardens Conservation International - PlantSearch database|".
  17. ^ Akhtar, M.S.; M. Ajmal (April 1981). "Significance of chewing-sticks (miswaks) in oral hygiene from a pharmacological view-point". Journal Pakistan Medical Association. 31 (4): 89–95. PMID 6785501.
  18. ^ Ahmed, Salah (2008). "Preliminary phytochemical and propagation trial with Salvadora persica L." (PDF). Agriculture and Forestry Research. 1/2 (58): 135–138. Retrieved 2009-02-16. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
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