Sterculia Urens | A Source of Gum Karaya

Most of us know about Gum Karaya, but we may not be aware of how it originated. It is a sad reality that many of us might not be aware of the “Sterculia Urens” the true gem of the Indian subcontinent from which gum karaya is extracted and gives us so many other benefits.

Sterculia Urens also known as the “Gum Karaya Tree”, “Ghost Tree” or “Indian Tragacanth” holds a significant position in India not only because it contributes to the production of gum karaya but also because it provides other essential sources of resources and benefits to the people.

Sterculia Urens has been a valuable tree in India for various traditional practices including medicinal use, economic advantages, and ecological benefits.

Sterculia Urens is a medium-sized tree found in India and belongs to the “Malvaceae” family of plants. This tree is popular as the source of gum karaya with medicinal properties.

In this blog, we will discover the botanical, medicinal, medicinal and many other advantages of Sterculia Urens 

Botanical Features of Sterculia Urens 

Sterculia Urens (Gum Karaya Tree) is found in dry rocky hills and plateaus and can grow up to 12-15 meters in height. One of the Important botanical features of Sterculia Urens is its white smooth bark which gets peeled away in large flakes that serve as a protective mechanism to survive in harsh climatical conditions.

Another interesting botanical feature of the Sterculia Urens is it can remain healthy in poor soil and drought environments. Sterculia Urens (Gum Karaya Tree) is local in India and prominently found in the dry deciduous forests of Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh which is estimated to contribute about 50% of gum production while the remaining contribution came from the regions Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Odisha, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

The Ecological Importance of Gum Karaya Tree

The Gum Karaya Tree has an important role in the ecology. The strong and deep roots of the Sterculia Urens help to prevent soil erosion by maintaining soil conservation. This Gum Karya Tree also promotes Reforestation in the drought-prone region.

The Historical & Cultural Significance of Sterculia Urens 

The role of the Gum Karaya Tree in India is not about a few years, it has been used in certain traditional practices for many centuries. Due to its medicinal properties, references to the Sterculia Urens Tree have been made in Ancient Ayurvedic texts. In addition, the Gum Karya Tree has been used in food preservation.

Extraction of Gum Karaya From Sterculia Urens 

The process of extraction of gum karaya needs a step-by-step operation. A careful incision on the tree is made to collect the gum. However certain things need to be considered before the extraction of the gum. Such as:

• Age of the tree: 

The age of the Sterculia Urens Tree needs to be at least 10 years because a tree younger than 10 years produces less gum and is at a higher risk of being damaged easily.

• Incision Process: 

A vertical cut is made in the bark of Sterculia Urens with a sharp knife-like object. We need to take care of one thing the incision should not be too deep which may be harmful to the tree. A small shallow cut is enough to extract the gum. The incision is made in the dry season when the gum flow is more.

• Exudation & Collection of Gum

After the incision process, a gummy substance is exudated from the Sterculia Urens to seal the wound. The exudated gum is kept for a few days to become slightly hard 

• Cleaning & Processing of Gum

The gum that is collected after the incision is then cleaned to remove dirt, bark & other impurities from the gum. Afterwards, it is dried in the sun to remove residual moisture which is then graded based on colour, purity and size.

Medicinal Benefits of Sterculia Urens 

Sterculia Urens offers several benefits. The gum karaya which is exudated from the tree is used in medicinal applications, particularly in Ayurveda. One of the medicinal benefits of Sterculia Urens it helps reduce inflammation.  Ayurvedic doctors often use the bark of Sterculia Urens to treat Arthritis and other bone conditions.  Additionally, the bark of Sterculia Urens contains antimicrobial properties that help quick healing of wounds and injuries. 

Sterculia Urens can also be used to manage respiratory diseases such as asthma. It helps to relieve certain digestive problems like constipation and helps to promote bowel movement in the intestine. Sterculia Urens is also used in the formulation of ayurvedic medicines that detoxify the blood and help to improve blood circulation. Sterculia Urens Gum is regarded as a cooling agent that helps to manage pitta dosha (excess heat) in the body.

Cultivation and Conservation of Sterculia Urens

Though the Gum Karaya Tree is grown in dry and hilly regions and can promote reforestation, however, proper management of the tree is required. We need to be careful that the tree is not over-harvested. The Government are taking the initiative to promote sustainable harvesting practices of the “Gum Karaya Tree” by Education & Awareness programs in local and tribal regions. 

Conclusion

In short, not only for the production of gum karaya Sterculia Urens tree is truly an extraordinary tree with a wide range of benefits. Hence we can’t afford to neglect the value of this tree and appreciate the value of the tree.