Cultural, traditional and economic significance of Toona ciliata (Tai-ren) in Manipur

Toona ciliata (Red Cedar, Toon, Tai-ren) holds significant cultural, spiritual, traditional and economical importance in Manipur. It is essential for several cultural and customary practices and rituals for the Meitei community in Manipur. It is highly revered and considered as sacred plant by them. Toona ciliata is planted in the lawn of Meitei home and near temples and this traditional practice of planting these ritualistic plants around the houses serves the Meitei community in conserving biodiversity and maintain the cultural heritage. Toona ciliata possessed several medicinal values and are used in traditional medicines. The boiled leaf juice is used for treating skin diseases and poxes and infections caused by fungus and bacteria. The bark and wood are used for treating chronic dysentery of infants and in external application for ulcers. It is used for treating headache, dysentery, leprosy, fever, scabies, blood complaints, ulcer, as aphrodisiac, cardiotonic, expectorant, astringent, antiperodic, anthelmintic and has gastro protective activity as well. Several valuables phytochemical compounds have been identified from T. ciliata, some of them are cedrelone, siderin, sesquiterpene and campesterol, etc. Toona ciliata possessed several pharmacological activities such as anti-ulcer, analgesic, antifungal, antibacterial, antifeedant, anti-plasmodial, antitumor and cytotoxicity activities. It is a good antioxidant agent also. Toona ciliata has great economic importance. It gives fragrant and reddish wood. The wood of T. ciliata is soft, can work on easily and polishes to a rich red colour, the wood is highly valued Class II timber and widely utilized for furniture and construction materials and other wooden artistic items. Essential oils are extracted from the fruits and woods. A yellowish or reddish dye has been prepared from T. ciliata, which is utilized for dying fabric. Toona ciliata is also used as vegetable. It can be used for phytoremediation process in heavy metal contaminated soil.