Exploring The Medicinal Wonders Of The Kadamba Tree (Neolamarckia Cadamba): A Review Article
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/IRJAY.2026.90105Keywords:
Neolamarckia cadamba, Kadamba, Ayurveda, Medicinal plant, Phytochemistry, Pharmacological activitiesAbstract
The Kadamba tree (Neolamarckia cadamba), a native species of South and Southeast Asia, has long been recognized for its extensive therapeutic applications in traditional medicine. It holds a significant place in Ayurveda due to its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, and wound-healing properties. Various parts of the plant, including bark, leaves, fruits, and roots, are traditionally used in the treatment of fever, skin disorders, digestive disturbances, ulcers, diabetes mellitus, infections, and general debility [1,3,4]. Phytochemical investigations reveal that Neolamarckia cadamba is rich in alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, and triterpenoids, which contribute to its diverse pharmacological actions [7,11,18]. Compounds such as cadambine, isocadambine, quinovic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol have demonstrated significant medicinal value in experimental studies [7,11,12]. Despite its immense therapeutic and nutritional potential, commercialization remains limited due to its astringent taste, lack of public awareness, and insufficient clinical validation. This review compiles available literature on the taxonomy, morphology, Ayurvedic properties, phytochemistry, medicinal uses, and pharmacological activities of Neolamarckia cadamba, while highlighting future research directions for its wider acceptance in evidence-based herbal medicine.
Downloads
References
Kirtikar, K. R., & Basu, B. D. (2005). Indian medicinal plants (Vol. 2, pp. 1305–1308). Dehradun: International Book Distributors.
The wealth of India: A dictionary of Indian raw materials and industrial products (Vol. 7, pp. 14–18). (2003). New Delhi: CSIR.
Nadkarni, K. M. (2007). Indian materia medica (Vol. 1, pp. 839–842). Mumbai: Popular Prakashan.
Sharma, P. V. (2006). Dravyaguna vijnana (Vol. 2, pp. 715–718). Varanasi: Chaukhambha Bharati Academy.
Anonymous. (2001). The Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia of India (Part I, Vol. III). New Delhi: Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Prajapati, N. D., Purohit, S. S., Sharma, A. K., & Kumar, T. (2003). A handbook of medicinal plants (pp. 358–360). Jodhpur: Agrobios.
Singh, H., Sharma, A., & Kumar, A. (2011). Phytochemical and pharmacological profile of Neolamarckia cadamba: A review. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research, 8(2), 45–51.
Umachigi, S. P., Jayaveera, K. N., Kumar, C. K., Kumar, G. S., Swamy, B. M., & Kumar, D. V. (2007). Studies on wound healing properties of Neolamarckia cadamba. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 69(6), 812–815.
Mishra, U. S., Mishra, A., Kumari, R., Murthy, P. N., & Naik, B. S. (2010). Antibacterial activity of bark extract of Neolamarckia cadamba. International Journal of PharmTech Research, 2(1), 738–740.
Studies on experimental rats. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research, 5(4), 97–100.
Ghosh, G., Subudhi, B. B., & Badajena, L. D. (2013). Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Neolamarckia cadamba. Pharmacognosy Journal, 5(3), 125–129.
Panda, S. K., Das, D., & Tripathy, N. K. (2015). Traditional uses and pharmacological properties of Kadamba (Neolamarckia cadamba): A review. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 4(2), 18–24.
Khare, C. P. (2007). Indian medicinal plants: An illustrated dictionary (pp. 447–448). New Delhi: Springer India.
Warrier, P. K., Nambiar, V. P. K., & Ramankutty, C. (1996). Indian medicinal plants: A compendium of 500 species (Vol. 4, pp. 320–323). Chennai: Orient Longman.
Anonymous. (2008). Database on medicinal plants used in Ayurveda (Vol. 5). New Delhi: CCRAS, Ministry of AYUSH.
Chopra, R. N., Nayar, S. L., & Chopra, I. C. (2006). Glossary of Indian medicinal plants (pp. 171–172). New Delhi: CSIR.
Joshi, S. G. (2000). Medicinal plants (pp. 275–277). New Delhi: Oxford and IBH Publishing.
Tiwari, P., Kumar, B., Kaur, M., Kaur, G., & Kaur, H. (2011). Phytochemical screening and extraction: A review. International Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1(1), 98–106.
Harborne, J. B. (1998). Phytochemical methods: A guide to modern techniques of plant analysis (3rd ed.). London: Chapman and Hall.
Evans, W. C. (2009). Trease and Evans pharmacognosy (16th ed., pp. 135–140). London: Saunders Elsevier.
