Madhuca longifolia

{{Short description|Species of tree}} {{Speciesbox | image = Mahuwa trees in Chhattisgarh.jpg | genus = Madhuca | species = longifolia | authority = (J.Konig) J.F.Macbr. }}

'''''Madhuca longifolia''''' is an Indian tropical tree found largely in the central, southern, north Indian plains and forests, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. It is commonly known as '''madhūka''', '''mahura,''' '''{{lang|hoc|madkam}}''', '''mahuwa''', '''Butter Tree,''' '''mahura''', '''mahwa''', '''mahua''', '''{{lang|hoc|mohulo}}''', '''Iluppai''', '''Mee''' or '''Ippa-chettu'''.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Suryawanshi |first1=Yogesh Chandrakant |last2=Mokat |first2=Digambar Nabhu |title=Morphophysiological Seed Variability in Mahua Trees from Western Ghats and Its Impact on Tribal Life |journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences |date=1 March 2021 |volume=91 |issue=1 |pages=227–239 |doi=10.1007/s40011-020-01223-w|bibcode=2021PINSB..91..227S |s2cid=231876956 }}</ref> It is a fast-growing tree that grows to approximately 20 meters in height, possesses evergreen or semi-evergreen foliage, and belongs to the family Sapotaceae.<ref>Pankaj Oudhia, Robert E. Paull. Butter tree Madhuca latifolia Roxb. Sapotaceae p827-828. Encyclopedia of Fruit and Nuts - 2008, J. Janick and R. E. Paull -editors, CABI, Wallingford, United Kingdom</ref> It is adaptable to arid environments, being a prominent tree in tropical mixed deciduous forests in India in the states of Maharashtra, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.<ref name="trifed">{{cite web|url=http://trifed.nic.in/productdetails.asp?productid=95&id=prod|title=Product profile, Mahuwa, Trifed, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India|publisher=Trifed.nic.in|access-date=2013-11-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619085436/http://trifed.nic.in/productdetails.asp?productid=95&id=prod|archive-date=2009-06-19|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Uses== It is cultivated in warm and humid regions for its oleaginous seeds (producing between 20 and 200&nbsp;kg of seeds annually per tree, depending on maturity), flowers and wood. The fat (solid at ambient temperature) is used for the care of the skin, to manufacture soap or detergents, and as a vegetable butter. It can also be used as a fuel oil. The seed cakes obtained after extraction of oil constitute very good fertilizer. The flowers are used to produce an alcoholic drink in tropical India. This drink is also known to affect animals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://myfox8.com/2012/11/07/50-drunken-elephants-ransack-village-in-india-drink-130-gallons-of-moonshine/|title = 50 drunken elephants ransack village in India, drink 130 gallons of moonshine|date = 7 November 2012}}</ref> Several parts of the tree, including the bark, are used for their medicinal properties. It is considered holy by many tribal communities because of its usefulness.{{Citation needed|date=November 2016}} [[Image:Madhuca indica (Mahua) in Hyderabad, AP W IMG 0068.jpg|190px|thumb|''M. longifolia'' in Hyderabad, India]]

The leaves of ''Madhuca indica'' (= ''M. longifolia'') are fed on by the moth ''Antheraea paphia'', which produces tassar silk, a form of wild silk of commercial importance in India.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/ab598e/AB598E13.htm |title=Non-Wood Forest Products in 15 Countries Of Tropical Asia : An Overview |publisher=Fao.org |access-date=2013-11-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140418203749/http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/ab598e/AB598E13.htm |archive-date=2014-04-18 }}</ref> Leaves, flowers and fruits are also lopped to feed goats and sheep.<ref>Heuzé V., Tran G., Archimède H., Bastianelli D., Lebas F., 2017. Mahua (Madhuca longifolia). Feedipedia, a programme by INRA, CIRAD, AFZ and FAO. https://www.feedipedia.org/node/131</ref> The seed oil of 'Madhuca indica' can be utilize to synthesize polymer resin. In one of the attempts, it has been used to prepare alkyd type of polyurethane resins, which are used as a good source of anticorrosion organic coatings.<ref>V. J. Patil, 2024. Madhuca indica (Mahua) seed oil towards synthesis of alkyd-type polyurethane anticorrosive coatings. Industrial Crops and Products, Vol. 219, page 119059</ref>

The Tamils have several uses for ''M. longifolia'' (''iluppai'' in Tamil). The saying "''aalai illaa oorukku iluppaip poo charkkarai''" indicates when there is no cane sugar available, the flower of ''M. longifolia'' can be used, as it is very sweet. However, Tamil tradition cautions that excessive use of this flower will result in imbalance of thinking and may even lead to lunacy.<ref>Dr. J.Raamachandran, HERBS OF SIDDHA MEDICINES-The First 3D Book on Herbs, pp38</ref>

The alkaloids in the press cake of ''mahura'' seeds is reportedly used in killing fishes in aquaculture ponds in some parts of India. The cake serves to fertilise the pond, which can be drained, sun dried, refilled with water and restocked with fish fingerlings.<ref>Keenan, G.I., 1920. The microscopical identification of mohraw meal in insecticides. J. American Pharmaceutical Assoc., Vol. IX, No. 2, pp.144-147</ref><ref>T.V.R.Pillay and M.N.Kutty, 2005. Aquaculture: Principles and Practices. 2nd Edition. Blackwell Publishing Ltd., p.623</ref>

== Mahura flowers== thumb|right|''Mahura'' flowers The mahura flower is edible and is a food item for indigenous peoples. Indian tribes have been making ''mahua'' – the name of the liquor as well as the tree – for centuries.<ref>{{cite news | last = Panjim | first = Goa | title = Flower power | pages = 80 | newspaper = The Economist | location = London | date = 30 August 2025 | url = https://www.economist.com/weeklyedition/2025-08-30 | archive-url = | archive-date = }}</ref> They use it to make syrup for medicinal purposes.<ref name="trifed"/>

Mahura flowers are rich in sugars. The flowers are also fermented to produce the alcoholic beverage also known as ''mahura'' wine.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Suryawanshi |first1=Yogesh |last2=Mokat |first2=Digambar |title=Variability studies in Madhuca longifolia var. latifolia flowers from Northern Western Ghats of India |journal=Indian Journal of Hill Farming |date=2020 |volume=33 |issue=2 |pages=261–266}}</ref> Indigenous people in the central belt of India such as of Dahanu, Maharashtra, Surguja and Bastar in Chhattisgarh and peoples of Western Orissa, Santhals of Santhal Paraganas (Jharkhand), Koya tribals of North-East Andhra Pradesh and Bhil tribals in western Madhya Pradesh consider the tree and the ''mahura'' drink as part of their cultural heritage. ''Mahura'' is an essential drink for tribal men and women during celebrations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.india9.com/i9show/Mahuwa-59485.htm |title=Mahuwah |publisher=India9.com |date=2005-06-07 |access-date=2013-11-21}}</ref>

Mahura fruit are an essential food of Maharashtra, Western Odisha and the people of the central belt of India. The tree has a great cultural significance. There are many varieties of food prepared with its fruits and flowers. Also in Maharashtra, Western Odisha people used to pray to this tree during festivals. The spirit produced from the flowers is largely colourless, opaque and not very strong. It is inexpensive and the production is largely done in home stills.{{Citation needed|date=November 2016}}

''Mahura'' flowers are also used to manufacture jam, which is made by tribal co-operatives in the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Forest-department-LIT-develop-new-products-from-mahua/articleshow/17472663.cms | archive-url=https://archive.today/20140213124910/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-12-04/nagpur/35593507_1_mahua-country-liquor-tribals | url-status=live | archive-date=2014-02-13 | work=The Times of India | title=Forest department, LIT develop new products from mahua | date=2012-12-04}}</ref>

In many parts of Bihar, such as villages in the district of Siwan, the flowers of ''mahura'' tree are sun-dried; these sun-dried flowers are ground to flour and used to make various kinds of breads. thumb|Mahura flowers are locally used to make wine. thumb|Sun drying of mahura (Madhuca) using Traditional Supa prepared from Bamboo in Chhattisgarh Village, India

==Literature== Wine prepared from ''Madhūka'' flowers (Madhuca longifolia) finds mention in several Hindu, Jain and Buddhist literature works.<ref>Thomas, P. (1966). Incredible India. |page 97| D. B. Taraporevala Sons</ref> It also finds mention in Ayurveda Samhitas which lists it among several different kinds of wine.<ref>An English Translation of the Sushruta Samhita, p461, Kunja Lal Bhishagratna (Kairaj), 1907.</ref>

{{Blockquote |text=''Kali who is seated on a red lotus in full bloom, her beautiful face radiant, watching Mahākāla, who, drunk with the delicious wine of the madhūka flower, is dancing before her..'' |author=Mahānirvaņa Tantra<ref>Avalon, A. (2017). Mahanirvana Tantra.</ref> }}

==Sacred tree== ''Madhūka'' or ''Mahura'' tree is the sacred tree of various temples in South India, including Irumbai Mahaleswarar Temple, Iluppaipattu Neelakandeswarar Temple, Tirukkodimaada Senkundrur at Tiruchengode, and Thiruvanathapuram.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.shaivam.org/sv/sv_illuppai.htm|title=Shaivam.org - Devoted to God Shiva - An abode for Hindu God Shiva on the Internet|website=www.shaivam.org}}</ref> The Tamil saint-philosopher Thiruvalluvar is believed to have been born under an iluppai tree within the Ekambareshwarar Temple at Mylapore, and hence ''madhūka'' remains the sanctum tree of the Valluvar shrine built within the Ekambareshwarar temple complex.<ref>{{cite news | last = Ramakrishnan | first = Deepa H. | title = As a war of words rages outside, peace reigns inside this temple | newspaper =The Hindu| location = Chennai | publisher = Kasturi & Sons | date = 15 November 2019 | url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/as-a-war-of-words-rages-outside-peace-reigns-inside-this-temple/article29976407.ece | page=3| access-date = 5 January 2020}}</ref>

==Mahua Oil== *Average oil Content: 32.92 to 57.53% <ref>{{cite journal |last1=Suryawanshi |first1=Yogesh |last2=Mokat |first2=Digambar |title=Morphophysiological Seed Variability in Mahua Trees from Western Ghats and Its Impact on Tribal Life. |journal=Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., India, Sect. B Biol. Sci. |year=2021 |volume=91 |issue=1 |pages=227–239 |doi=10.1007/s40011-020-01223-w|bibcode=2021PINSB..91..227S |s2cid=231876956 }}</ref> * Refractive index: 1.452 * Fatty acid composition (acid, %) : palmitic (c16:0) : 24.5, stearic (c18:0) : 22.7, oleic (c18:1) : 37.0, linoleic (c18:2) : 14.3 * Elements : Carbon (C), Calcium (Ca), Nitrogen (N), Magnesium (Mg), Phosphorus (P), Sodium (Na) <ref>{{cite journal |last1=Suryawanshi |first1=Yogesh |last2=Mokat |first2=Digambar |title=GCMS and Elemental Analysis Of Madhuca Longifolia Var. Latifolia Seeds |journal=International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research |date=2019 |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=786–789 |doi=10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.10(2).786-89|doi-access=free }}</ref>

Trifed, a website of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India reports: "mahura oil has emollient properties and is used in skin disease, rheumatism and headache. It is also a laxative and considered useful in habitual constipation, piles and haemorrhoids and as an emetic. Native tribes also used it as an illuminant and hair fixer."<ref name="trifed"/>

It has also been used as biodiesel.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/farm-query-mahua-oil/article5606580.ece | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=Farm Query - Mahua oil | date=2014-01-22}}</ref>

==Other names== * Other botanical names: ''Bassia longifolia'' L., ''B. latifolia'' Roxb., ''Madhuca indica'' J. F. Gmel., ''M. latifolia'' (Roxb.) J.F.Macbr., ''Illipe latifolia'' (Roxb.) F.Muell., ''Illipe malabrorum'' (Engl.) Note: the authentic genus ''Bassia'' is in the Chenopodiaceae. The names ''B. longifolia'' and ''B. latifolia'' are illegitimate. * Varieties: ** ''M. longifolia'' var. ''latifolia'' (Roxb.) A.Chev. (=''B. latifolia'' (Roxb)) ** ''M. longifolia'' var. ''longifolia'' * Vernacular names: **Santali:''matkom'' **Bengali:''mohua''(মহুয়া) **Oriya:"Mahula"(ମହୂଲ) **English: honey tree, butter tree **French: ''illipe'', ''arbre à beurre'', ''bassie'', ''madhuca'' **India: ''moha, mohua, madhuca, kuligam, madurgam, mavagam, nattiluppai, tittinam, mahwa, mahura, mowa, moa, mowrah, mahuda (Gujarati-મહુડા) '' **Marathi: "Mahu" and "muvda" in Pawari local tribal lang (Nandurbar, Maharashtra) / "Moha" **Rajasthan: "dolma" in mevadi and marwari **Sri Lanka: මී ''mee'' in Sinhala **Tamil: iluppai (இலுப்பை), **Telugu: vippa (విప్ప), **Myanmar: ''မယ်ဇယ်'' **Nepal : Chiuri (चिउरी) * Synonymous names for this tree in some of the Indian states are ''mahura'' and ''mohwa'' in Hindi-speaking belt, ''mahwa, mahula'', ''Mahula'' in Oriya and ''maul'' in Bengal, ''mahwa'' and ''mohwro'' in Maharashtra, ''mahuda'' in Gujarat, ''ippa puvvu'' ({{langx|te|ఇప్ప}}) in Andhra Pradesh, ''ippe'' or ''hippe'' in Karnataka (Kannada), ''illupei'' or இலுப்பை in Tamil, ''poonam'' and ''ilupa'' in Kerala (Malayalam) and ''mahula, moha'' and ''{{lang|or|modgi}}'' in Orissa (Oriya).<ref name="trifed"/>

==Gallery == <gallery> File:Madhuca longifolia var latifolia (Mahua) fruit W IMG 0245.jpg|Fruit in Narsapur, Medak district, India File:Madhuca longifolia var latifolia (Mahua) leaves W IMG 0247.jpg|Fruit with leaves in Narsapur, Medak district, India File:Madhuca longifolia var latifolia (Mahua) trunk W IMG 0246.jpg|Trunk in Narsapur, Medak district, India File:Madhuca longifolia var latifolia (Mahua) W IMG 0242.jpg|Tree in Narsapur, Medak district, India File:Terminalia belerica Bhopal.JPG File:Leaves of Madhuca longifolia, Umaria district, MP, India.jpg|Leaves in Umaria district, Madhya Pradesh File:Bassia latifolia 11.JPG|mahura Tree in Thrissur, Kerala, India File:Madhuca longifolia var latifolia (Mahua) fruits Melghat Tiger Reserve Maharashtra 56 249.jpg|Flowers from Melghat Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra </gallery>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{ITIS |id=505956 |taxon=''Madhuca longifolia'' (J. Konig) J. F. Macbr.}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20071001015525/http://www.hindu.com/seta/2005/09/01/stories/2005090100201600.htm Alternative edible oil from mahura seeds], The Hindu *[http://www.oilsbynature.com/products/mowrah-butter-refined.htm Mowrah Butter], OilsByNature.com *[https://web.archive.org/web/20071109190812/http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/FamineFoods/ff_families/SAPOTACEAE.html Famine Foods] *[http://www.ieindia.org/publish/ag/0604/june04ag3.pdf Use of mahura Oil (''Madhuca indica'') as a Diesel Fuel Extender] *[https://www.wwfindia.org/who_we_are/index.cfm?uGlobalSearch=Mahua&uGlobalLang=en WWF India mahura] * [https://www.ted.com/talks/aparna_pallavi_what_foods_did_your_ancestors_love? "What foods did your ancestors love?"] Video of presentation by Aparna Pallavi at TEDxCapeTownWomen, with mahura being the central example of a common indigenous food source overlooked by the dominant society.

==Bibliography== {{Commons category}} *Boutelje, J. B. 1980. Encyclopedia of world timbers, names and technical literature. *Duke, J. A. 1989. Handbook of Nuts. CRC Press. *Encke, F. et al. 1993. Zander: Handwörterbuch der Pflanzennamen, 14. Auflage. *Govaerts, R. & D. G. Frodin. 2001. World checklist and bibliography of Sapotaceae. *Hara, H. et al. 1978–1982. An enumeration of the flowering plants of Nepal. *Matthew, K. M. 1983. The flora of the Tamil Nadu Carnatic. *McGuffin, M. et al., eds. 2000. Herbs of commerce, ed. 2. *Nasir, E. & S. I. Ali, eds. 1970–. Flora of [West] Pakistan. *Pennington, T. D. 1991. The genera of the Sapotaceae. *Porcher, M. H. et al. Searchable World Wide Web Multilingual Multiscript Plant Name Database (MMPND) - on-line resource. *Saldanha, C. J. & D. H. Nicolson. 1976. Flora of Hassan district. *Saldanha, C. J. 1985–. Flora of Karnataka.

{{Non-timber forest products}} {{Taxonbar|from=Q2720146}} {{Authority control}}

longifolia Category:Flora of the Indian subcontinent Category:Non-timber forest products