Health Tips: This tree is a treasure of health! From leaves to flowers, it is full of medicinal properties, gives relief in many diseases.

Retired District Ayurveda Officer and senior Vaidya Damodar Prasad Chaturvedi said that Mahua is considered a very beneficial tree in Ayurveda. If it is used in the right quantity and in the right way, it is no less than a boon for health.

Natural sugar, protein, vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, iron and anti-oxidants are found in abundance in Mahua flowers. These flowers have a cooling effect, but they help in expelling phlegm. Drinking the decoction of Mahua bark or massaging with its oil provides relief from problems like joint pain and arthritis.

Mahua is also a good tonic for the body. To remove weakness of the body, boiling dried Mahua flowers in milk and drinking it is beneficial. The oil of Mahua seeds is considered effective in curing skin diseases like itching, eczema and burning sensation. Its flowers work to improve the digestive system and provide relief from problems like constipation and piles.

Apart from medicines, Mahua is also used in food and drink. You can make laddu or halwa at home by roasting dried Mahua flowers and mixing them with jaggery and ghee. In tribal areas, bread is also made from Mahua by mixing it with flour. It is also used in beverages like sherbet etc. Boiling 5-6 dried flowers of Mahua in a glass of milk and drinking it helps in getting good sleep and also removes fatigue.

Although Mahua is quite beneficial, consuming it in excess quantity can also cause harm to the body. Excessive consumption of Mahua can cause problems like intoxication or headache. Due to the high sugar content in Mahua flowers, diabetic patients and pregnant women should not consume them without doctor’s advice.