KAMPHILAK (Mallotus philippinensis)

"Kamphilak (Mallotus philippinensis Muell. Arg.), commonly known as the Kamala tree, is a medicinal shrub or small tree belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family. It is extensively found in Southeast Asian and Indian subtropical and tropical woods. The reddish glandular hairs of its fruit are known as Kamala powder, traditionally used in Ayurvedic and folk medicine systems as anthelmintic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and skin care remedy. "

Scientific Names

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Angiosperms
Class: Eudicots
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Mallotus
Species: Mallotus philippinensis Muell. Arg.

Common Names

English: Kamala Tree, Monkey Face Tree
Sanskrit: Kampillaka, Rakta-pushpa
Hindi: Kamala, Kamala ke beej
Tamil: Kamalai
Telugu: Kampillaka
Malayalam: Kampila
Kannada: Kampillaka
Bengali: Kamala
Marathi: Kamala

Traditional and Medicinal Uses

Hepatoprotective and Liver Health - Used for managing jaundice, liver enlargement, and other hepatic conditions due to its detoxifying action.

Skin Disorders - Applied externally for eczema, scabies, and fungal infections, owing to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory - Shows significant free radical scavenging activity; used in inflammatory conditions and chronic skin diseases.

Laxative and Digestive Aid - Acts as a mild laxative, improving bowel movements and digestive health.

References

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API), Part I, Volume VI, Government of India, Ministry of AYUSH.

Kirtikar, K.R., & Basu, B.D. (1991). Indian Medicinal Plants, Vol. III. Lalit Mohan Basu Publications, Allahabad.

Otsuki, N., Dang, N.H., Kumagai, E., et al. (2010). "Aqueous extract of Carica papaya leaves exhibits anti-tumor activity and immunomodulatory effects." Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 127(3), 760–767.

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

Mehta, B.K., Tiwari, M., & Singh, M. (2010). "Phytochemical and Pharmacological Studies on Mallotus philippinensis Muell. Arg." International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research, 1(2), 71-78.

Shafi, P.M., Rosamma, M.K., Jamil, K., & Reddy, P.S. (2002). "Antibacterial activity of Mallotus philippinensis extract." Fitoterapia, 73(3), 251–254.

European Medicines Agency (EMA). (2013). Assessment report on Mallotus philippinensis Muell. Arg. – EMA/HMPC/552670/2012.

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

The Wealth of India: A Dictionary of Indian Raw Materials and Industrial Products, CSIR Publications, New Delhi.

Pharmacognosy of Indigenous Drugs, Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha (CCRAS), Govt. of India.