Malay bush-beech

botanical

What is it

Malay bush-beech (Gmelina arborea) is a tree native to South and Southeast Asia. Its bark, roots, and fruit are used in Ayurvedic medicine, where it is one of the dashamoola "ten roots" rejuvenation herbs.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

General tonic and digestive support (traditional)

Mixed

Traditional Ayurvedic uses are well documented, but rigorous human clinical evidence is absent.

How it works

Gmelina arborea contains lignans (gmelinol), iridoid glycosides, flavonoids, and tannins. Traditional uses include digestive support, anti-inflammatory tonic, and as a component of multi-herb rejuvenation formulas. Preclinical studies suggest hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activity. Human clinical evidence is essentially absent.

Dosage

Traditional doses use 3 to 6 g of dried plant material. Modern extract capsules vary.

When and how to take it

Traditional preparations are taken twice daily.

1 commercial form

Gmelina arborea bark or root extract

Not well characterized.

Most commonly encountered as a component of dashamoola or other multi-herb formulas.

Safety

Generally considered safe at traditional doses with limited reports of adverse effects. Long-term safety data are sparse.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and lactation due to limited safety data.

Interactions

No well-documented interactions. Theoretical interactions with medications cleared through the liver.

Frequently asked questions

What is dashamoola?⌄

A traditional Ayurvedic formula of ten roots used for rejuvenation, of which Gmelina arborea is one.

Does Malay bush-beech have clinical evidence?⌄

Modern human clinical data are essentially absent. Use is based on traditional practice.

References

  • Malay bush-beech on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link
  • Research on Malay bush-beech (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.