Alstonia

Parts Usually Used

The bark, leaves, latex, and stems. The thick bark from mature trees is most commonly used medicinally.

Description of Plant(s) and Culture

A tall forest tree reaching 25-40m in height with a trunk diameter up to 1m. Has high, narrow, deep-fluted buttresses. The bark is pale brown to buff colored, smooth to scaly, with large horizontal lenticels, peeling in rectangular flakes. Inner bark is cream to yellow with copious white latex. Leaves are glossy dark green above, paler grey-green below, arranged in whorls of 4-8 leaflets.

Flowers are yellowish-white, borne in terminal clusters. Fruits are pendulous paired follicles up to 16cm long containing seeds with silky brown floss for wind dispersal.

Where Found

Native to tropical Asia including India, Southern China, Indochina, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and tropical Australia. Found in primary rainforest, secondary rainforest, and monsoon forest habitats. Prefers tropical and subtropical climate zones.

Medicinal Properties

Alstonia has demonstrated antimalarial, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antitumor, anti-diabetic, analgesic, antipyretic, and antiparasitic properties. The plant shows particular promise against COVID-19 in recent studies. Studies indicate potential therapeutic applications for cancer, autoimmune diseases, respiratory conditions, cardiovascular disorders, infectious diseases, and inflammatory conditions.

The plant’s compounds have shown activity against drug-resistant pathogens and tumors.

Biochemical Information

Contains over 400 bioactive compounds including alkaloids (particularly monoterpenoid indole alkaloids), triterpenes, flavonoids, iridoids, phenolic compounds, and essential oils. Key compounds include artemisinin, echitamine, alstonine, scholaricine, and various alkaloids with proven medicinal properties.

Uses

Historical traditions employed the plant for fevers and respiratory complaints such as asthma and bronchitis. Herbalists also administered it for joint inflammation associated with arthritis and rheumatism, as well as for various gastrointestinal complaints. Traditional practitioners applied it to the skin for wounds and dermatological conditions, utilized it to stimulate lactation in nursing mothers, and regarded it as an antidote for venomous bites and stings from snakes, scorpions, and rats.