Plumeria trees are found commonly throughout the country of Burma and being tropical deciduous small trees, they become skeletons in the summer time due to the falling off of leaves. The stem has dichotomous branches and produces a milky sap when it is cut off. Its latex contains powerful alkaloids. The flowers are showy and the colours are different according to the varieties. The flowers emit a sweet fragrance. In dry fruits the seeds are winged. This tree belongs to the Apocynaceae family and under this family, it consists of (180) genera, and one of the brothers of Plumeria tree is the Devil tree (Alstonia scholaris). It has medicinal properties and its bark is used for diarrhoea and dysentery, and its latex can also be applied to ulcers. Another brother, the Serpent wood (Rauwolfia serpentina) is a shrub and it’s root is used in the treatment of hypertension, mental disorders and related ailments. Another close relatives, Rose Bay shrub (Holarrhena antidysenterica), is also an important medicinal plant and its bark is powerful for treatment of dysentery as well.
In Burma, this tree is called Tayok-saga in general and its vernacular names are different depending on the flower’s colour. When the tree bears red or pink flowers, it is called Tayok-saga-ni and if the flowers are white, it’s called Tayok-saga-phu (scientific names: Plumeria rubra and Plumeria alba, respectively). Another variety is found with pale yellow flowers. Although Thai people believe Lanthom (Plumeria) as an unlucky flower or tree, Burmese admire, cherish and adore them instead. Therefore, it is planted in residential areas and parks for ornamental purposes in general and particularly in the vicinity of Pagodas, Buddha Image Shrines and Buddhist Monasteries as well.
As a Burmese delicacy, steamed flowers are used for delicious Burmese salad. Dried flowers can be brewed up for preparation of a tasty beverage (like a plain tea) and also useful as an herbal medicine. Talking more about indigenous medicines, the branches of Plumeria are burnt down to ashes and is applied to formulate the remedy for diabetes.
Many thanks to Mr. Hank Kyaw Sunn of Myanmar (formerly Burma) for sharing this very helpful information about the Plumeria tree and its positive attributes. I wish you all the best in life, Sir, and please continue to share your good thoughts to my readers. Cheers…
July 6th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
You know so many interesting infomation. You might be very wise. I like such people. Don’t top writing.
July 7th, 2009 at 6:12 am
hehehe…thanks, konstantin, and to u mr. sunn