Alstonia scholaris

Scientific name: Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br.

Family: Apocynaceae

Synonym:  Echites scholaris L.

Bengali/Vernacular name: Chhatim, Chhaitan, Ghaitan, Saiatni (Bengali); Sattuan (Chittagong); Chhatni (Sylhet); Chhati-ani gas (Noakhali).

Tribal name: Sijirasik, Sikresik, Chai lai fang,  Chenglai (Chakma); Cheng beng fung (Chak); Chaile (Mogh); Sakehan, Sokchuan, Bor-chhak-chhan (Garo); Chetoyang (Tripura); Chong laong, Chai lang (Marma); Chenchana gaith (Tanchangya).

English name: Devil’s tree, Dita bark tree, Black board tree.

Description of the plant: A medium-sized, sometimes very tall, evergreen trees with copious white latex; branches whorled. Leaves 10-20 cm long, coriacious, oblong-lanceolate, 5-10 in a whorled. Flowers small, greenish white, in many flowered capitate cymes. Fruits 30-60 cm long, narrow, cylindrical follicles, pendulous in clusters.

Plant parts used: Leaf.

Medicinal uses: Balm made from leaf-paste of the plant is used for massaging on the affected area of the body once a day for 15 days to treat gout.

Leaf paste is applied to treat paralysis.

Pills made from leaves of the plant are taken to treat stomachache.

Leaf juice is taken to treat rheumatism.

Distribution: It is cultivated throughout the country and occurs naturally in the forests and villages in all parts of the country.