BORSALI (Mimusops elengi)

Borsali (Mimusops elengi), commonly known as Spanish Cherry or Bakul, is a medium-sized evergreen tree native to South and Southeast Asia. It belongs to the Sapotaceae family. The tree is prized for its fragrant flowers and medicinal bark.

bakul tree scientific name

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Angiosperms
Class: Eudicots
Order: Ericales
Family: Sapotaceae
Genus: Mimusops
Species: Mimusops elengi

Mimusops elengi common name

English: Spanish Cherry, Bulletwood Tree
Sanskrit: Bakula
Hindi: Maulsari / Borsali
Tamil: Magizhamboo
Telugu: Pogada
Malayalam: Elanji
Bengali: Bokul
Marathi: Bakul

Mimusops elengi Uses

Oral and Dental Health - Bark and flower powder used as astringent and tooth powder to treat gum bleeding, pyorrhea, and bad breath.

Anti-Diarrheal and Astringent - Bark decoction is effective in treating diarrhea, dysentery, and other GI issues.

Wound Healing and Inflammation - Bark paste used externally to aid wound healing and reduce local inflammation.

Reproductive Health - Traditionally used to tone the uterus and manage excessive menstruation (menorrhagia).

Respiratory Health - Acts as a mild expectorant and used in traditional formulations to ease cough and throat irritation.

Phytochemical Constituents

Mimusops elengi contains various active phytochemicals responsible for its medicinal value:

Tannins – Astringent properties
Triterpenoids – Lupeol, Betulinic acid (anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial)
Flavonoids – Quercetin, Rutin (antioxidant)
Saponins – Detergent and healing properties
Alkaloids – Various with analgesic and antimicrobial activities
Steroids – Sitosterol (anti-inflammatory)

References

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Govt. of India, Ministry of AYUSH. Part I, Vol. II, p. 119–121.

Kirtikar, K.R., & Basu, B.D. (1935). Indian Medicinal Plants, Volume II. Allahabad: Lalit Mohan Basu, pp. 1585–1587.

Nadkarni, K.M. (1976). Indian Materia Medica, Vol. I. Popular Prakashan, Bombay.

The Wealth of India: A Dictionary of Indian Raw Materials and Industrial Products – Raw Materials, Vol. VI, Publications and Information Directorate, CSIR, New Delhi.

Rao, K. S., & Sreeramulu, S. H. (2007). "Antibacterial activity of Mimusops elengi bark extract against dental pathogens." Indian Journal of Dental Research, 18(4), 148–151.

Patil, V.M., et al. (2010). "Phytochemical and pharmacological review on Mimusops elengi." International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 1(12), 65–72.

European Pharmacopoeia, 10th Edition, Council of Europe.

Chopra, R.N., Nayar, S.L., & Chopra, I.C. (1956). Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. CSIR, New Delhi.