Alsonia scholaris

BotanicalBest taken away from food

What is it

Alstonia scholaris (often misspelled as 'alsonia scholaris'), called blackboard tree or saptaparni, is a tropical tree native to South and Southeast Asia. The bark is used in Ayurvedic and traditional Asian medicine for fever, asthma, and skin conditions.

How it works

Alstonia scholaris bark contains indole alkaloids (including echitamine), which have been studied for anti-malarial, anti-inflammatory, and respiratory effects in preclinical models. A standardized extract has been marketed in some countries for chronic cough. Human clinical evidence is mostly from small trials in India and China, often examining the bark extract for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic cough.

Dosage

Traditional decoction doses use 3 to 6 g of dried bark. Standardized extract supplements vary by product.

When and how to take it

Traditional decoctions are typically taken between meals. Modern extracts follow product label guidance.

1 commercial form

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Alstonia scholaris bark extract

Standardized extracts have been marketed in some countries for cough and respiratory conditions.

Alkaloid absorption variable.

Safety

Indole alkaloids can be biologically active at low doses and may cause adverse effects at higher doses. Adverse-event reporting in clinical contexts is limited.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy, breastfeeding, and in children without medical supervision. Consult a clinician if you take prescription medications.

Interactions

Theoretical interactions with antihypertensive and cardiac medications due to alkaloid content. Limited formal pharmacokinetic data.

Frequently asked questions

What is Alstonia scholaris used for?⌄

Traditional Asian use includes fever, asthma, and chronic cough. Some standardized extracts have been studied for COPD-related cough.

Is it safe?⌄

Alkaloid content makes high-dose use risky. Avoid in pregnancy and use under qualified practitioner supervision.

References

Alsonia scholaris on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Alsonia scholaris on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Alsonia scholaris (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.