Salvadora persica

{{Redirect|Toothbrush tree|plant native to Southeast Asia|Streblus asper}}

{{speciesbox

|image = Plants of the coast of Coromandel Coast Tamil Nadu Andhra Pradesh India Flora Fruits Flowers (34).jpg

|status = LC

| status_system = IUCN3.1

|genus = Salvadora (plant)

|species = persica

|authority = L.

}}

File:Salvadora persica by Dr. Raju Kasambe DSCN6600 (6).jpg

File:Grey Hypocolius in Kutch seen in Salvadora persica habitat.jpg

File:Pollen grains of Salvadora persica.jpg

Salvadora persica or the toothbrush tree is a small evergreen tree native to the Middle East, Africa and India.{{citation |mode=cs1 |section=Salvadora persica |section-url=https://apps.worldagroforestry.org/treedb2/speciesprofile.php?Spid=1477 |access-date=2021-06-29 |author1-surname=Orwa |author1-given=Caleb |author2-surname=Mutua |author2-given=A. |author3-surname=Kindt |author3-given=Roeland |author4-surname=Jamnadass |author4-given=Ramni |author5-surname=Simons |author5-given=Anthony |date=2009 |title=Agroforestree Database: a tree reference and selection guide |edition=4th |url=https://worldagroforestry.org/output/agroforestree-database |publication-place=Nairobi, Kenya |publisher=World Agroforestry Centre |language=en}} Its sticks are traditionally used as a natural toothbrush called miswak and are mentioned by the World Health Organization for oral hygiene use.World Health Organization. Prevention of oral diseases. WHO offset publication No. 103. Geneva: World Health Organization; 1987. p. 61.

Other names include arak, jhak, pīlu, and mustard tree.

Etymology

The genus was named by the French botanist Laurent Garcin in 1749 after a Spanish apothecary, Juan Salvador y Bosca. The type specimen was collected in Persia, hence the species name persica.

Description

Salvadora persica is a small tree or shrub with a crooked trunk,{{cite journal | vauthors = Sadhan RI, Almas K | year = 1999 | title = Miswak (chewing Stick): A Cultural And Scientific Heritage. | journal = Saudi Dental Journal | volume = 11 | issue = 2 | pages = 80–88 }}{{Request quotation|date=June 2021}} typically {{convert|6-7|m|ft|0}} in height. Its bark is scabrous and cracked, whitish with pendulous extremities. The root bark of the tree is similar in colour to sand, and the inner surfaces are an even lighter shade of brown. It has a pleasant fragrance, of cress or mustard, as well as a warm and pungent taste. The leaves break with a fine crisp crackle when trodden on. The tree produces small red edible fruits, juicy but pungent, in clusters.

Distribution and ecology

The plant is native to the Middle East, Africa and India,{{cite news | url=http://www.namibian.com.na/indexx.php?id=9793&page_type=story_detail&category_id=1 | title = Staying afloat during a drought | author = Rothauge, Axel | name-list-style = vanc |date=25 February 2014|work=The Namibian}} and is found on desert floodplains, riverbanks, and grassy savannahs. It has high tolerance for salty soils and can tolerate as little as {{convert|200|mm|in|0|abbr=off}} or less of mean annual rainfall, but it prefers ready access to groundwater.

History and use

Salvadora persica stick, known as miswak or Esekon, is popular for teeth cleaning throughout the Arabian Peninsula, Iranian Plateau, as well as the wider Muslim world.{{cite book | last = National Institute of Industrial Research | title = Herbs Cultivation & Their Utilization | publisher = Asia Pacific Business Press | date = 2003 | location = Delhi | pages = chapter 2 | isbn = 978-81-7833-064-8 }}

{{blockquote|text=Toothbrushes made from roots and small branches of about 3–5 mm diameter have been used for over 1000 years, especially by Islamic populations in India, Arabia and Africa. Several agents occurring in the bark and wood have been suggested as aids in prevention of dental caries [cavities], such as antimicrobial agents that suppress bacterial growth and the formation of plaque.}}

The fresh leaves can be eaten as part of a salad and are used in traditional medicine. The flowers are small and fragrant and are used as a stimulant and are mildly purgative. The berries are small and barely noticeable; they are eaten both fresh and dried. The wood of the Salvadora persica can be used for charcoal and firewood.{{cite journal | vauthors = Aumeeruddy MZ, Zengin G, Mahomoodally MF | title = A review of the traditional and modern uses of Salvadora persica L. (Miswak): Toothbrush tree of Prophet Muhammad | journal = Journal of Ethnopharmacology | volume = 213 | pages = 409–444 | date = March 2018 | pmid = 29196134 | doi = 10.1016/j.jep.2017.11.030 }} In Namibia, the mustard bush is used as drought-resistant fodder for cattle. The seeds can be used to extract a detergent oil.

As of 2009, Botanic Gardens Conservation International has a total of eight Salvadora persica plants in conservation.{{cite web|url=http://www.bgci.org/plant_search.php?action=Find&ftrGenus=Salvadora&ftrRedList=&ftrSpecies=persica&ftrRedList1997=&ftrEpithet=&ftrCWR=&x=0&y=0|title=Botanic Gardens Conservation International - PlantSearch database|}}