Haronga tree is a plant native to tropical areas. Parts of the tree are used as a remedy. They are especially helpful for digestive problems.
Occurrence and cultivation of the haronga tree.
The haronga tree (Harungana madagascariensis) is a tree of the St. John’s wort family (Hypericaceae). Because of its reddish resin, it is sometimes called dragon’s blood, although botanically it is not a member of the dragon trees (Dracaenae). In the English-speaking world, the name “orange-milk tree” can be found. Originally, the haronga tree was an endemic plant of Madagascar. It is now common in all evergreen areas of East, South and Central African countries from South Africa to Sudan. It has also been introduced into some areas of Australia. Once established, the plant spreads very rapidly under suitable climatic conditions. The tree usually grows up to eight meters in height, but individual specimens have reached heights of over 20 meters. Its tree crown branches strongly. The leaf shapes are varied, usually rounded ovate to heart-shaped. The leaves are recognizable by the characteristic multitude of dark to black spots. Flower umbels up to 20 centimeters long are formed. The flowers are white to cream-colored. Red drupes form from them.
Effect and application
In Europe, the extracts of the bark and leaves are used medicinally for digestive problems. The pharmaceutical term is Harunganae madagascariensis cortex et folium, that is, the leaf and bark of the haronga tree, the dry extracts of which are stored and offered in an aqueous alcohol solution. They can be used as drops. Globules and tablets are also available. The haronga bark and the leaves of the tree are among the few plant substances whose effect on the human pancreas has been scientifically proven. In the stomach, the extract already leads to increased gastric juice production. It also initiates an increase in bile production by the liver. However, it particularly promotes the release of digestive enzymes in the pancreas, which thus also stimulates the production of these enzymes. These enzymes of the pancreas, proteases and amylases, have a great influence on protein digestion and sugar digestion. Both plant parts of the haronga tree have a naturally high accumulation of dihydroxyanthracene derivatives. The bark contains predominantly harunganin and madagascin, while the plant produces hypericin and pseudohypericin in the leaves. The recommended daily dose of the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices of dry extract of the haronga tree is 7.5 to 15 milligrams. Possible side effects of hypericin are toxic reactions of the skin, retina and eye lens when exposed to light, which in extreme cases, as in continuous overdose, can lead to serious degeneration of the retina. Pure hypericin is used in cancer diagnosis as a contrast agent because it accumulates in cancer cells. However, this is artificially produced and not economically obtained from the haronga tree. Side effects at low doses are not known. Precisely for this reason, no longer intake period than three months is recommended. In addition to dihydroxyanthracene derivatives, extracts of both plant parts contain essential oils, tannins, oligomeric procyanides and flavonoids. In the folk medicine of many African countries, not only the leaves and bark of the tree are used, but also other parts of the plant such as the resin, which is said to have a worming and fungicidal effect. However, this has not yet been taken up by Western conventional medicine in its research.
Significance for health, treatment and prevention.
In Europe, the plant and its healing properties have received little attention apart from homeopathy, although its healing properties have been scientifically documented since the 1930s. Medicinally, the dry extracts are mainly used for dyspeptic complaints, especially when the symptoms occur after rich meals. Typical complaints include bloating and loss of appetite, flatulence, belching, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Since the active ingredients of the leaves and bark help with mild pancreatic hypofunction and lead to increased release of enzymes of the pancreas, the extract can help with diseases that affect the pancreas.In this regard, the extracts of the haronga tree can be used to alleviate the secondary symptoms and preventively in cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is one of the main causes of pancreatitis. Another cause of pancreatitis is gallstones. These, in turn, are part of the clinical picture of diabetes mellitus, obesity, parathyroid gland disorders, excessive cholesterol levels, and Crohn’s disease. However, the exclusive treatment of these diseases with extracts of the bark and leaves of the haronga tree is avoided as a result of ignorance of its long-term effects. Because of the relationship of the haronga tree to St. John’s wort, much has been speculated about the use of the extracts as a mild antidepressant. Similar constituents to hypericin are present in St. John’s wort and haronga tree. However, a positive effect of the leaves and bark of the tree or of hypericin in general on mild mood disorders has not yet been scientifically proven. In many local cultures of African countries, the use of various plant parts of the haronga tree in folk medicine is more widespread than in Europe. There, the milky, reddish sap of the plant is used in deworming tapeworms, and in Liberia it is even used in the treatment of skin fungi (dermatophytes). The leaves are said to stop bleeding, control diarrhea, and are considered a natural remedy for gonorrhea, sore throat, headache, and fever. Young leaves are said to relieve asthma. The flowers are used for pain in the digestive tract. The root is also said to promote breast development in young women.
