Blackboard tree (alstonia scholaris)
Synopsis of blackboard tree
The blackboard tree (Alstonia scholaris), also known as devil’s tree, milkwood pine, or scholar tree, is a tall evergreen tree native to South and Southeast Asia, especially India, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. It belongs to the Apocynaceae family and is well-known in Ayurvedic and traditional Asian medicine for its use in respiratory disorders, fevers, skin diseases, and as a general tonic. Its name “blackboard tree” comes from its historical use in making slates and writing boards due to its smooth bark.
The medicinal parts of the tree include the bark, leaves, and latex, which contain alkaloids (notably echitamine), saponins, and flavonoids. These compounds offer a range of biological effects:
- Antipyretic (fever-reducing) and analgesic
- Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial
- Bronchodilatory and expectorant, helpful in asthma, bronchitis, and cough
- Antimalarial and immune-supportive
- Astringent and useful in diarrhea and dysentery
The bark is typically used in decoctions, powders, or tinctures, either alone or in combination with other herbs.
Historical Use:
In Ayurveda, Alstonia scholaris is classified as Saptaparna and is used to treat malarial fevers, respiratory ailments, skin conditions, and digestive disturbances. It is believed to clear toxins (ama) from the body, pacify kapha and vata, and improve strength and immunity.
In Unani medicine, it is used for its tonic and alterative properties, especially in treating chronic fevers, liver dysfunction, and skin eruptions.
In traditional Indonesian and Southeast Asian medicine, the bark is used to manage malaria, snake bites, toothache, and intestinal parasites, while the latex is occasionally used externally for wound healing.
Although not widely known in Western herbalism, the blackboard tree has drawn attention in modern research for its anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties, particularly due to its alkaloid-rich profile.
Today, Alstonia scholaris is included in Ayurvedic respiratory and fever formulas, and continues to be valued as a traditional botanical remedy with applications in immune modulation, pulmonary health, and inflammatory conditions.
Blackboard tree is used for these health conditions
Abdominal Pain (Traditional)
Abscesses (Traditional)
Acid Indigestion (Traditional)
Acne (Traditional)
Anemia (Traditional)
Anxiety (Traditional)
Arthritis (Traditional)
Asthma (Traditional)
Backache (Traditional)
Bites and Stings (Traditional)
Boils (Traditional)
Bronchitis (Traditional)
Bruises (healing) (Traditional)
Burns and Scalds (Traditional)
Canker Sores (Traditional)
Carbuncles (Traditional)
Chest Pain (Traditional)
Chills (Traditional)
Cholera (Traditional)
Circulation (poor) (Traditional)
Colds (general) (Traditional)
Colds (prevention) (Traditional)
Colds (with fever) (Traditional)
Colic (adults) (Traditional)
Colitis (Traditional)
Congestion (Traditional)
Congestion (bronchial) (Traditional)
Congestion (lungs) (Traditional)
Congestion (sinus) (Traditional)
Constipation (children) (Traditional)
Cuts (Traditional)
Depression (Traditional)
Diabetes (Traditional)
Diarrhea (Traditional)
Digestion (poor) (Traditional)
Dislocation (Traditional)
Dyspepsia (Traditional)
Ear Infection or Earache (Traditional)
Eczema (Traditional)
Fever (Traditional)
Gastritis (Traditional)
Gingivitis (Traditional)
Headache (general) (Traditional)
Headache (tension) (Traditional)
Hemorrhoids (Traditional)
Hepatitis (Traditional)
Herpes (Traditional)
Hypertension (Traditional)
Infection (Traditional)
Infection (bacterial) (Traditional)
Inflammation (Traditional)
Insomnia (Traditional)
Jaundice (adults) (Traditional)
Malaria (Traditional)
Menstrual Irregularity (Traditional)
Migraine (Traditional)
