Utrasum Bead Tree

Elaeocarpus sphaericus is a type of tree native to Indonesia which has been developed into a multi-purpose tree. It grows spread across Southeast Asia. There are approximately 350 species distributed from Madagascar, Southern China, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Australia and the Pacific Islands. Around 70% of this trees are found in Indonesia and many are planted in Central Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Bali and Timor. This plant has high religious value and medicinal value. In India, according to Hinduism, this plant is considered a sacred tree belonging to Lord Shiva and is considered a link between heaven and earth. Since prehistoric times, Elaeocarpus sphaericus has been widely used in the treatment of anxiety, depression, hypertension, migraines, and various other ailments. The dried fruit or seeds are believed to have electromagnetic and electrical properties that give them some healing powers, as well as having a calming effect and the ability to reduce body temperature. Apart from that, it is also known as a protective tree, and functions as a pollutant absorber. The fruit can be consumed, and the seeds are used as beads to make rosaries, prayer beads, buttons, and other crafts. Elaeocarpus sphaericus trees are also usually harvested for their wood and used to make superstructure beams in house buildings.

Rudraksha (Marathi), Rudraksham (Malayalam).

It is a humid tropical and subtropical plant. Generally found in secondary forests, mountain rainforests and broadleaf valleys at an altitude of 400-1,300 m above sea level. In the Himalayas, Elaeocarpus sphaericus grows abundantly at an altitude of 2,000 m above sea level. Meanwhile in Java, it is found at an altitude of less than 1,200 m above sea level (mainly 500-1,000 m above sea level). Grows best in areas where the annual daytime temperature is in the range of 18-28 °C, but can tolerate 8-38 °C, with average annual rainfall in the range of 1,500-3,000 mm, but can tolerate 1,000-3,500 mm. Prefers a position in full sun but can tolerate some shade. Also grows well in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil and soil pH is in the range of 5.5-6.5, but can tolerate 4.5-7.5. This plants are resistant to drought and can grow well in open and disturbed locations.

• Roots - taproots. Roots can rise high near the stem and spread out along the surface of the soil.
• Barks - cylindrical shape with a rough texture, fissured with grayish white to brown bark, has grayish brown branches. The branchlets are villous and yellowish brown in color.
• Leaves - arranged alternately, dark green, shiny, ovate-oval to oval-lanceolate, asymmetrical, wide cuneate base, serrated edges, sharp or blunt leaf tips, serrated leaf edges, leaf stalks about 1 - 1.5 cm. Old leaves are red before falling off, both surfaces are villous when young, smooth when mature, 10-13 lateral veins per side, slightly prominent abaxially. It has a slightly bitter taste and has no odor.
• Flowers - white, corolla (petals) 5, borne in axillary inflorescences about 2-4 cm long, petals divided at the tips into 4 or 5 lobes, stamens 25-50 and hairy at the ends, ovary hairy.
• Fruits - has seeds, is round, green when young then turns purplish blue and mealy when ripe. The fruit consists of five or six carpels, each carpel containing one large seed.
• Seeds - elliptical to round, 1 seed per locus or carpel, covered by a hard, woody shell, hollow in the center which is almost transparent. The entire surface of the seed has holes and threaded grooves as if eaten by worms so it looks beautiful as if it were engraved.

• Plant propagation is through seeds and branch cuttings, but the cutting method is not always successful.
• The seeds have a hard shell. Burying the seeds in soil and heating with a fire over them, or cracking them (very carefully so as not to damage the seeds) to allow moisture in can help speed germination. Sow the seeds in a shaded container. Generally they will germinate after 3-4 months. Seedlings germinate at the 2 or 3 leaf stage are ready to be planted in the field after about 8 months.
• Seeders prefer clay or loam, slightly acidic (6.0-6.3) to neutral (6.3-7.8) and well-drained soil. Shading conditions are also necessary to provide an optimal environment for seed germination as the gestation period can vary from a minimum of 45 days to more than a year, dense canopy cover is preferred for growth of this plant seedlings.
• Planting is done by making a planting hole 30 x 30 x 30 cm. The recommended planting distance is 6 x 6 m because it is considered sufficient for canopy development.

Steroids, saponin glycosides, flavonoids, tannins (e.g., geranin and 8, 4, B-trimethoxy geranine), phenolic compounds, alkaloids (elaeokanin A, C, and D, (+)-elaeocarpine, elaeocarpenin, isoelaeocarpine, grandisine B, isoelaeocarpiline , grandisine D, elaeocarpidine, isoelaeocarpicine, grandisine F, grandisine A, grandisine C, grandisine E, habbemine B, habbemine A, grandisine G), indolizidine alkaloids (carpusinin A, carpusinin B, carpusinin C, epicarpusinin C, carpusinin D, carpusinin E , carpusidine), pyrrolidine alkaloids (carpusinin F and epicarpusinin F).

• Treats enlarged spleen, hypertension and heart disease, epilepsy, migraine, stomach ache, asthma, cough, bronchitis, neuralgia (nerve pain), anorexia (eating disorder), arthritis, liver disease, chest and shoulder pain.
• Overcoming stress, depression and various mental illnesses.
• It has activity as an anticonvulsant, antihypertensive, antiepileptic, anticonvulsive, anticancer, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antidepressant, analgesic, immunostimulant, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.