Alstonia scholaris, commonly known as the "Devil's Tree" or "Saptaparni", has a longstanding history of use in traditional medicine, particularly within Ayurveda and other South Asian medicinal systems. Traditionally, various parts of the plant, especially the bark, have been employed to treat respiratory ailments, including cough, asthma, and in some cases, tuberculosis (TB). The rationale behind its use is rooted in its reported expectorant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties as described in classical texts and ethnobotanical surveys. However, while there are preclinical studies indicating that extracts of Alstonia scholaris possess antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities, the direct evidence against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (the causative agent of TB) is limited and not robustly established in human clinical trials.

Few in vitro studies have suggested that certain alkaloids and other phytochemicals present in the plant may inhibit the growth of some bacteria, but these findings are preliminary and not specific or conclusive for TB. Consequently, while the traditional use of Alstonia scholaris for tuberculosis is documented, supporting scientific data remain limited. The evidence rating above reflects the presence of traditional use (historical/ethnobotanical) with only weak preclinical support and a lack of rigorous clinical validation.