Nageia nagi (Thunb.) Kuntze (Podocarpaceae)

Abstract

It is a slow-growing hardy tree, native to China, Taiwan, and Japan; also found in India, Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam. According to Nighantas, the bark (M. nagi ) is useful in diseases caused by deranged phlegm, such as fever, asthma, gonorrhea, piles, cough, and other affections of the throat. A bark decoction is a valuable remedy in asthma, diarrhea and diuresis; powdered or in the form of lotion the bark is applied to putrid sores; pessaries made of it promote uterine action. Other authors described the bark as stimulant, alterative, aromatic, diaphoretic, and astringent, and used in fevers, catarrh of the intestinal mucous membranes, diarrhea, dysentery, scrofula, chronic gonorrhea, catarrh of the lungs and asthma; powder topically applied to strengthen gums and to putrid sores, and as a poultice for bruises, sprains and fractures. Fresh fruit juice exhibited significant antioxidant activity. Topical application of bark EO also exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity in mice. Since two different species, belonging to different families (Nageia nagi , formerly known as Myrica nagi belongs to Podocarpaceae family and is also listed as synonym for Myrica esculenta that belongs to Myricaceae family), are called by the same vernaculars, it is essential first to establish their identities in local languages and botanically before any pharmacological activities are assigned to them.