Witnessed by: TCM · Ayurveda · Western · Unani
Dita (Alstonia scholaris), of the Apocynaceae family. Evergreen tree with whorled leaves and copious milky latex; native range: Indian subcontinent through South-East Asia and Malesia. Globally recognized as saptaparna in Sanskrit, chhatim · satona in Hindi, deng tai shu (灯台树) in Chinese, chhatim · kashim in Urdu, and devil's tree; blackboard tree in English. The part used is bark (chiefly); also leaves. Grey, corky, almost scentless bark whose latex and inner surface are intensely, lingering bitter; clusters of small greenish-white flowers scent the night air.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
DITA
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- dita
- Scientific name
- Alstonia scholaris (L.) R.Br.
- Family
- Apocynaceae
Form
- Part used
- bark (chiefly); also leaves
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- bitter
- Ayurveda
- dominant: bitter (tikta) · then: astringent (kashaya)
- Western
- bitter
- Unani
- bitter
Temperature
- TCM
- cool
- Ayurveda
- heating (ushna virya)
- Unani
- hot & dry
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Lung
- Western
- digestion · blood (against periodic fevers)
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- clears heat, resolves phlegm, stops cough
- Ayurveda
- tikta bitter tonic — dipana, jvaraghna (antipyretic), krimighna (anthelmintic), grahi, kushthaghna (for skin disease)
- Western
- bitter tonic, antiperiodic, febrifuge, anthelmintic
- Unani
- antiperiodic, febrifuge, tonic (muqawwi), emmenagogue
Cautions
- Contraindications
- avoid in pregnancy
- Toxicity
- bark alkaloids (echitamine, ditamine) make large doses toxic
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