What is Hijol?

About Hijol:

• Hijol, or Indian oak, is a medium-sized evergreen tree.
• Scientific Name: Barringtonia acutangula
• Common names: Hijal, Hijangal, Hendol, Stream Barringtonia, Itchy Tree.
• Distribution:
  • It is native to coastal wetlands in southern Asia and northern Australasia.
  • This species grows on the banks of freshwater rivers, the edges of freshwater swamps and lagoons and on seasonally flooded lowland plains, commonly on heavy soils. 
  • It is commonly found in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna basin.
• Features:
  • This plant is a big tree that grows to about 8–15 m high. 
  • Its leaves are thick, smooth and oval in shape, about 8–12 cm long and 4–5 cm wide, with reddish petioles about 0.5–1.0 cm long.
  • Flowers are small, pink to red, sub-sessile, and purple-red with numerous stamens.
• Medicinal uses:
  • Its bark has tannin, which is useful for heart diseases. 
  • Powder of seeds works as an expectorant and is applied to cure the cough of children.
  • Tonic is prepared from leaves and roots. Fish poison is also prepared from its roots.

Q1) What is an expectorant?

An expectorant is a medicine you can use when you have a cough that produces mucus. Expectorants help thin the secretions in your airway and loosen up mucus, so you can make your cough more productive. Expectorants are generally safe to use, but it’s important to read labels and speak with your healthcare provider about any possible interactions.

Source: Climate change will lead to massive habitat loss for this signature subcontinental floodplains tree

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