Jathika Namal Uyana
More About the Naa Tree (Ironwood)

There is no more enduring a symbol of the thriving ancient culture of the Sinhala people than that of the Bo tree with all of its cultural and symbolic connotations. The Naa tree however, comes in a very close second and is in fact the National Tree of Sri Lanka.

Both of these trees have a significance all of their own and both of these trees are part and parcel of the culture and heritage of all that is Sinhala and Sri Lankan.

For the purposes of this book however, it is the Naa tree that we are interested in and to that end we will go through the many different facets of the Naa tree and find out along the way what makes it so special.

The Many Names of The Naa Tree

This fascinating tree seems to be known by a few different names, but in the end the tree with all of its historical and medicinal properties is the same no matter what name it is identified by.

Its scientific name is Mesua Ferrea, and is of the family Clusiaceae, or Guttifarceae. And from this genus of the Mesua Ferrea tree, you will be able to find two different types within the grounds of the Jathika Namal Uyana itself.

These are known colloquially as Diya Naa and Batu Naa. The latter type, the Batu Naa, is the one which is more familiarly referred to as Ironwood.

And this brings us to our next name in the list of names for the Mesua Ferrea tree: Ironwood. In English the Mesua Ferrea is more commonly known as Ironwood, referring most likely to the properties that the wood of the tree itself displays.

And in addition to these names you will also find that Mesua ferrea in Sri Lanka is known by its more simple names.

Many people are in fact probably unaware that there are two different types of Ironwood to be found, and therefore refer to both by the same common name.

More formally it is known as a Naa gaha (“gaha” being the Sinhala word for “tree”). The Naa in this instance is pronounced as “Nah”.

And it doesn’t stop there. The Naa tree has many names in many different places, and in India it is referred to as either, Nagapushpa, Nagakesara, or Keshara.

It is also known as the Indian Rose Chestnut tree, and in the Malaysian Peninsula, as Penaga Lilin.

Properties of the Naa Tree

Filled to almost brimming with Naa trees, depending on the season in which you venture into this beautiful land you will find yourself bombarded by either deep leafy green trees topped with a rich red new growth, or you will find yourself surrounded by the heavenly smelling white-petaled flowers of the Naa tree.

The properties of this tree are many and you will find that as you go ever deeper, that this is a truly fascinating plant.

In this case it is not only the physical properties of the tree which makes it so valuable, but also its historical significance coupled with that of its Medicinal and Herbal properties which we go into in the next section.

Of the two different types of ironwood to be found in the Namal Uyana, the main differences lie in the leaves and the flowers of the trees. In other aspects the two different types of Naa trees can be thought of as equal. These similar properties include;

The Trunk

A straight, almost ramrod straight, tree trunk. The Naa tree tends to grow straight up with barely a wobble anywhere to detract from it.
The core of the Naa tree is found in two different colors, ether deep red in color or brown.
Naa trees are considered to be evergreen trees and can grow up to about 15m in height. The trunk of the Naa tree will go up to about 90 cm (3 feet) in diameter.
The height of the Naa trees generally lends itself to the branches of adjoining Naa trees intertwining with each other, thereby creating a canopy through which the harshest rays of the sun are blocked.

The Leaves

Naa trees are naturally heavy in foiliage. This, when combined with the overhead canopy formed by the intertwining branches gives rise to a very shady and cooling effect on the forest floor.
Leaves on the Naa trees are normally found to be long and narrow. And the underside of the leaves have a whitish powder residue on them.
The young leaves of the Naa tree range from a light red color to a deeper red color, and unlike the mature leaves, are limp.
The mature leaves are generally more robust and are a deep green shade.

The Flowers

The flowers of the Naa trees, or the Naa Mal as they are better known (and not to be confused with the different flowering plant variety called Namal), bloom only during the night. They have four white petals, with a diameter of about 10 cm (4 inches). The Naa flower is also a very fragrant flower.

In the center of the Naa flower is a plethora of bright yellow stamens. These stamens are for the most part relatively thick.

The Fruit

Although there is no fruit as such for the flowering Naa trees, they do produce seed pods which contain large numbers of Naa tree seeds all packed efficiently into the pods. These pods are generally dark brown in color and can grow up to about 5 cm (2 inches) in length.

Generalities

You will also find that where there are Naa trees, that there will also for the most part be a great deal of undergrowth.

The wood of this tree is so hard that it is almost impossible to use it for the purposes of constructing new houses. It is instead, utilized more for such industrious works as the construction of Devala, boats, railroad sleepers, and wooden bridges among many other things.

Also, due to the very hardness and unyielding nature of the wood, if it is not treated properly there is more of a chance for the wood to split, or even warp. It should also be noted that the Naa tree takes many a long year to grow to full maturity.

This makes it all the more special to find a full 260 acres of mature Naa trees, some of which have even borne silent witness to the tides of history.

The Naa tree was declared to be the national tree of Sri Lanka on the 26 February, 1986. This was due mainly because of its many medicinal properties, historical significances and cultural symbolism.

The differences in the two different types of Naa that are found in the Jathika Namal Uyana are small, but to the trained eye easily recognizable.

For the Batu Naa tree;

The leaf is long and narrow, with a typical length of 17cm (6½ inches), and typical width of about 2 cm (¾ inches).
The flowers of this Naa tree blossom singly.

Whereas with the Diya Naa type of Ironwood tree;

And the leaves, while still being long and narrow, are in fact much longer, coming in generally at around about 30 cm (12 inches) in length.
The flowers blossom in bunches,

The Batu Naa tree, it should be noted, is also the one which is more commonly found within the bounds of the Jathika Namal Uyana.

Medicinal Value

The Naa tree is one of the most valuable trees available for Ayurvedic medicinal practices with every part of the tree being used, from root to trunk to leaf, flower and pod.

It can, has, and still is being used for many purposes in traditional Sinhala Ayurveda medicines. The medications which are derived from all parts of the Naa tree, are used either alone, or in combination with other Ayurvedic medicines.

The oil which is derived from the Naa flower is used as an antibacterial, antinflammatory, and antifungal aid.
The petals of the Naa flower are often times applied to cuts and wounds to staunch bleeding.
The Naa flower is also used to help aid in indigestion, excessive gas in the stomach, as well as to help cure excessive perspiration.
The buds of the Naa flower are used as a cure for dysentery of various types, as well as piles. These buds are also used to treat a lack of appetite.
The fruit of the Naa tree is used as a laxative, and as a treatment for indigestion. It has also been used to help prevent bad odors in the mouth.
The oil which is extracted from the seeds of the Naa fruit are used to cure a variety of ailments ranging from fever, coughs, and vomiting to indigestion, sexual diseases, sexual weaknesses, mental imbalances, malfunctions of the nervous system as well as heart disease.
The leaves of the Naa tree in combination with the flowers and other herbs are used to treat poisonous snake bites.
The leaves can also be ground together with cow’s milk and coconut oil to make a paste which can be applied externally to treat colds and the flu.

Apart from the medicinal uses noted above the roots and leaves of the Naa tree are used in a variety of other different medications, either alone, or in combination with other herbs.

If you are interested in learning more about the healing properties and the art and science of Sinhala Ayureveda there are books available on the subject offering far more insight.