Israel Paulraj

Meliaceae Mahogany is a member of the tribe that includes 50 genera and 550 species of woody plant. Including large mahogany trees with tall trees reaching 35-40 m in diameter and reach 125 cm. Straight trunk cylindrical and not buttress. Blackish brown outer skin, shallow grooved like scales, while the bark is gray and smooth when young, turning into dark brown, grooved and flaking after dark. The new mahogany flowering after 7 years old, crown flowers cylindrical, brownish yellow, stamens attached to the corolla, anthers white, tawny. Fruit boxes, oval, notched five, brown. Seeds flat, black or brown color. Mahogany can be found growing wild in the forests of teak and other places close to the coast, or planted by the roadside as shade trees. Plants originally from the West Indies, can thrive when grown in brackish sand near the beach.

               Mahogany trees can reduce air pollution by 47% - 69% so-called shade trees as well as air filters and water catchment areas. Leaves served absorb pollutants in the vicinity. Instead, the leaves will release oxygen (O2), which makes the surrounding air to be fresh. When it rains, the soil and the roots of the trees that will bind water falling, thus becoming water reserves. Mahogany fruit contains flavonoids and saponins. The fruit has been reported to improve blood circulation so that people with diseases that cause blockage of blood flow advised to take this fruit as a remedy, reduce cholesterol, accumulation of fat in the blood vessels, reduce pain, bleeding and bruising, as well as acting as antioxidants to eliminate free radicals, prevent disease pestilence, reduce fat in the body, helps boost the immune system, prevent blood clotting, and strengthening liver function and slows the blood clotting process.