Quercus infectoria

Quercus infectoria is a small tree with four to six feet in height. The branches often slender and drooping. Leaves are elliptical, glabrescent and up to 4 cm long. Petioles are up to 4 mm long. Flowers are in axillary fascicles, pedicels filiform. Fruits are baccate. It becomes black while ripening.

Root is cylindrical, branched and shows a fibrous fracture. The crude drug is globose with horny appearances on the external surface. It helps in diarrhea, leucorrhoea, uterine prolapse, rectal prolapse, irritable bowel syndrome, and for tightening the loose or sagging tissues. For therapeutic purposes, Manjakani, also called Majuphal, is used. Quercus infectoria can be used as a thickener in stews or mixed with cereals for making bread. Also known as Majuphal in Indian traditional medicine, manjakani has been used as a dental powder and in the treatment of a toothache and gingivitis.