Traditional Herbal Remedies with Karuvelam Pattai: A Deep Dive

The Mesquite tree bark is known as karuvelam pattai in Tamil. The scientific name of this tree is Prosopis juliflora, and this species depends on the Fabaceae family.   

English Name: Mesquite Tree Bark

Tamil Name: கருவேலம் – Karuvelam Pattai

Malayalam Name: കരിവേലം / കരുവേലും – Karivelan, Karuvelum

Telugu Name: నల్లతుమ్మ / తుమ్మ / తుమ – Nallatumma, Tumma, Tuma

Hindi Name: बाबुल / कीकर – Babul, Kikar

About Karuvelam Pattai (Mesquite Tree Bark):

The Mesquite Tree can grow up to 12 meters tall with a trunk diameter of 1.2 meters. Its leaves are light green and divided into 12 to 20 leaflets. The flowers are green-yellow, 5-10 cm long, and grow in clusters of 2 to 5 at the end of branches. The pods are 30 cm long and contain 10 to 30 seeds each. A mature tree can produce hundreds of thousands of viable seeds for up to 10 years. The seeds are spread by animals that eat the pods and scatter them in their droppings. The Mesquite tree is native to Southern America, Mexico, and the Caribbean and can also be found in Asia, Africa, and Australia. Its roots can reach depths of up to 175 ft and have pairs of thorns at the nodes.

Karuvelam Health Benefits:

• It indicates nightfall, dhatu-rog, prameha (leucorrhoea), and pradar.
• The bark of this tree can be used to treat gum and tooth problems.
• It is a cure for spermatorrhoea.
• It can also be used to reduce the viscidity of semen.
• Karuvellam Pattai can also be used to treat frequent night discharges or premature ejaculation.
• This plant has antimicrobial properties; it can help to treat oral problems.
• It can also be used to reduce gingival swelling
• It reduces plaque formation.
• It helps prevent gum swelling and cavities.
• This karuvelam Pattai can be used to treat redness and eye infections.