Freshwater Mangrove (Barringtonia acutangula): an ethnomedicinal tree of India

Barringtonia acutangula (L.) Gaertn., commonly known as the freshwater 
mangrove or Indian oak, is a tree species widely distributed across riverbanks, 
wetlands, and freshwater ecosystems in India. Belonging to the family 
Lecythidaceae, the species is ecologically significant as a soil stabilizer, water 
purifier, and provider of habitat for aquatic biodiversity. Traditionally, it has 
been revered in ethnomedicine, with diverse therapeutic applications 
documented across Indian tribal and rural communities for treating ailments 
such as diarrhea, dysentery, fever, skin infections, hemorrhoids, and diabetes. 
Phytochemical investigations reveal the presence of flavonoids, saponins, 
tannins, terpenoids, and alkaloids, which validate its broad pharmacological 
potential, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, 
hepatoprotective, and anti-diabetic properties. This review highlights the 
ethnomedicinal relevance of B. acutangula.