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2. Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) Loudon, Arb. Brit. 4: 2428. 1838. (Fig. 139).
CONIFERAE
Cedrus indica Chambrsy.—Cedrus libam var. deodara Hook. Abies deodara Lindl.— Larix
deodara K.Koch.—Pinus deodara Roxb
Engl. Deodar, Himalayan Cedar; Sinh. Devadara: Tarn. Tevadari, Tevadaram,
Tevadaru, Vandugolli; Hindi Dedwar, Deodar, Deyar, Kilan, Kilankaper; Sans. Amaradaru,
Bhadradaru, Bhadrawata, Bhavadaru, Bhutahari, Daru, Darubhadra, Daruka, Deodaru,
Devakashtha, Drukilima, Indravriksha, Kalpapadapa, Kilima, Mastadaru, Paribhadraka,
Pitadaru, Pittadru, Putikashtha, Shakradruma, Shambhava, Shatapadapa, Shivadaru, Snighdhadaru,
Suradaru, Suradruma, Surakashtha. Suravhaya, Surbhuruha, Svehavriksha.
A large tree, about 50—60 m in height and 8—10 m in girth; bark greyish brown, smooth,
divided into oblong, irregular scales; branches horizontal and young branches pendulous; foliage
light green when young becoming dark with age; leaves needle-like, 2.5—3.7 cm long, 3-sided,
clustered at the end of short branchlets, dark green, glaucous or silvery and sharply pointed,
male and female cones on the same tree or on separate trees; male cones numerous, erect,
solitary at the end of leaf-bearing branchlets, cylindric, 4.3 cm long when mature; anther—
cells 2; female cones few, erect, solitary at the end of leaf-bearing branchlets, mature cones
ovoid or ovoid—cylindric, 10—12.5 cm long, 7.5—10 cm broad, dark brown when ripe, top
rounded; scales numerous, fan-shaped, 3—3.5 cm across, thin at the tip and thickened towards
the base; seeds triangular with a broad wing, seed and wing 2.5—3 cm across.
Illustrations. James Veitch and Sons, Manual of Coniferae pi. on page 134. 1881:
Dallimore and Jackson, Handbook of Coniferae pi. 35. 1954; Chaudun and Higgins, Ornamental
Conifers pi. on page 18. 1956; Kirtikar and Basu. Indian Med. Plants, pi. 928B. 1933-
Distribution. A forest tree growing in the North West Himalayan regions extending
from Afghanistan to Garhwal at an altitude between 4000 to 10,000 feet. Does not grow
in Ceylon but the drug is imported from India.
Composition. The wood yields an oleo-resin and a dark coloured oil.
Uses. Taken internally, the wood of this tree acts as an aromatic stomachic and carminative,
stimulating the appetite and improving the digestion and is useful in anorexia, acute and
chronic dyspepsia and flatulence. As the drug is rapidly excreted by the skin, bronchial
mucous membrane and kidneys, it acts as a diaphoretic, stimulating expectorant and diuretic.
It is also useful in acute laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia and for cardiac, renal and hepatic
dropsy. It is largely employed as an antitithic in urinary gravel and calculi.
It has anti-periodic properties and may be used along with other anti-periodics for
acute and chronic malarial fevers.
The bark is an astringent and used in fevers, diarrhoea and dysentery. The oil is used
for skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis and in the treatment of leprosy.
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