Salvadora persica

Salvadora persica or the toothbrush tree is a small evergreen tree. Regional common names include arak, jhal, and mustard tree. Its roots and twigs called miswak are traditionally used for chewing as a toothbrush. The tree is native from the Middle East and North Africa to India.

Description

An evergreen shrub or small tree. It grows 4-6 metres high. It has many branches forming a rambling habit. The stems are crooked and can grow along the ground. The branches are drooping and twisted. They are slender and greenish white. The bark is thin and rough. It is cream coloured. The leaves occur opposite one another along the stem. They are on short stalks. The leaves are smooth and fleshy but thick and leathery. They are greenish blue and have small stipules. The leaves are oval and 7 cm long by 3 cm wide. They end in a short stiff point. The flowers are yellow and small. many flowers occur together in a branched arrangement near the ends of branches. These flower arrangements are 5-8 cm long. The fruit is a round berry about 6 mm across. They are red when ripe. Seedless fruit can occur. The seedless fruit are dark red. The fruit are edible.

Edible Uses

The ripe fruits are eaten cooked or made into a drink, and can be dried for storage. Young leaves and tender shoots are eaten raw in salads, while mature leaves are cooked as a vegetable or used in sauces. The seeds have a spicy mustard-like taste and are edible. The seed oil is edible and used as a vegetable butter substitute in chocolate. A vegetable salt is derived from the ash of the plant.

Traditional Uses

The ripe fruit are edible when cooked. They are also used to make a drink. The fruit can be dried and stored. The leaves are cooked as a vegetable. They are also used in sauces. The tender shoots and leaves are eaten raw in salads. The seed oil is edible. A fat from the seeds is used as a substitute for vegetable butters in chocolate. The seeds have a spicy taste like mustard. A vegetable salt is derived form the ash of the plant.

Medicinal Uses

The plant is used internally in the treatment of colds, skin complaints, urinary problems, syphilis, intestinal parasites, constipation, enlarged spleen, poor appetite, menstrual problems, rheumatism and arthritis. The plant is used to treat poisonous bites, bruises and for oral hygiene. The leaves of the mustard tree are an astringent, stimulant herb that is diuretic, expectorant and depurative. Externally, the leaves are used to treat abscesses and swellings. Both leaves and bark can be used to destroy parasites. The leaves are harvested as required for immediate use and can also be dried for later. The wood promotes healing. The bark of the root is acrid and vesicant. A latex obtained from the bark is used for treating sores. The bark and wood is harvested as required, then dried and powdered for later use. A decoction of the root is used to treat gonorrhoea, spleen trouble and general stomach-ache. The roots are also used for treating chest diseases. Applied externally, the roots are vesicant. They are pounded and used as a poultice to heal boils. The fruits are pungent and bitter. They are used to improve the appetite and bowel function, and to regulate the menstrual cycle. The fruits and the seed stimulate the circulation. The seeds are tonic. The seed oil is applied to the skin to relieve rheumatism. The seeds are harvested when ripe and can be used fresh or dried.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in the dry tropics. It grows in the Sahel. It occurs at low altitudes. It suits high temperatures. Temperatures of 20-30°C annual average are appropriate. It cannot stand frost. It occurs in areas with an annual rainfall of 50-300 mm but also in areas with 1,100 mm. In high rainfall areas it occurs on salty soils. It prefers clay to sandy soils such as on flood plains. It can be in mangroves. It can be used to reclaim salty soils. In Kenya it grows from sea level to 1,500 m altitude. It can grow in arid places.

Where It Grows

Africa, Algeria, Angola, Arabia, Asia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Caucasus, Central Africa, Chad, China, East Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, Oman, Pakistan, Sahel, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, Sinai, Socotra, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, UAE, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown by seeds. Many seeds are produced. Germination is poor due to substances in the fruit flesh. Therefore it is important to remove seeds from the fruit before planting. Plants can be grown in a nursery then transplanted when 3 years old.

Propagation

Seed - Cuttings of half-ripe wood rooted in a sandy medium.

Other Uses

The fringed roots and small twigs are widely used as traditional toothbrushes in Africa and by Muslims elsewhere. Toothbrushes are made from sections of the root by removing the bark from one end and then fraying the inner wood. This contains substances that are excellent for oral hygiene and the root is then chewed and applied to the teeth and gums. The seeds contain 30 - 40% of a greenish-yellow, non-edible oil. Known as 'Khakan fat', it contains over 50% lauric and myristic acids. It has a high melting point and a disagreeable odour that disappears on purification. The most important aspect of the oil is the presence of a low percentage of C8 and C10 fatty acids that are of great economic significance. It is used in making soaps and detergents, and is of potential interest for cosmetic and pharmaceutical uses. It is used traditionally for making candles. A resin that drips from the tree is supposedly useful for making varnish. The white wood is soft, not liable to attacks by termites and is easy to work. It has various uses, including for making coffins and clubs. The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal. It is not used for cooking since it can taint the food with a foul taste. The tree is planted as a windbreak to provide shelter for other crops. It is also planted for sand dune reclamation and is useful for reclaiming saline soils. The plant can be grown as a hedge.

Production

In the Sahel the plant flowers in January-February and fruit ripens February-March. In Tanzania, fruit are collected during the rainy season.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Acuil, Adai, Ade, Arak, Asiokon, Ateta, Bouco, Caday, Cengeno, Chhota peelu, Chokow'o, Chota pilu, Dadaho, Dhalu, Diyar, Eremit, Esekon, Ghunia, Goni-mara, Grape of the desert, Hadayito, Huda, Irak, Jal, Jhak, Jhal, Kalawa, Kallijari, Karkol, Khabar, Khakhin, Kharijal, Kharijar, Kharjal, Khoris, Kickni, Kotungo, Lirak, Mard, Mawaki, Meethal jal, Mero, Miraj, Mirajoli, Mithi jal, Motijalya, Mswache, Mswake, Mswaki, Mukayau, Munbouco, Muswak, Nancapa, Ol-remit, Oremit, Peelu, Pelo, Pelu, Perungoli, Pilu, Piludi, Pilva, Plaman, Rak, Rhakhan, Riga llkani, Rumay, Shao, Sykotei, Thorapilu, Toboto, Toothbrush Tree, Ughaiputtai, Ui, Varagogu, Vivay, Xamudh

References (84)

• Addis, G., Asfaw, Z & Woldu, Z., 2013, Ethnobotany of Wild and Semi-wild Edible Plants of Konso Ethnic Community, South Ethiopia. Ethnobotany Research and Applications. 11:121-141
• Addis, G., et al, 2013, The Role of Wild and Semi-wild Edible Plants in Household Food Sovereignty in Hamer and Konso Communities, South Ethiopia. Ethnobotany Research & Applications. 11:251-271
• Al-Fatimi, M. A., Wild Edible Plants Traditionally Collected and Used in Southern Yemen. Research Square. University of Aden. p 23
• Allen, D. J., 2007, Wildflowers and Common Trees of East Africa. Camerapix Publishers p 136
• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 543

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