Masikai | Majuphal (மாசிக்காய்)

🌿 Masikai

மசிகாய் | Oak Gall | Gall Nut
Botanical Name: Quercus infectoria
Family: Fagaceae
Common Names: Masikai (Tamil), Majuphal (Hindi), Oak Gall, Gall Nut, Aleppo Gall

🌱 Description

Masikai refers to the hard, round gall formations produced on oak trees due to insect activity. These galls are rich in tannins and have been used extensively in Siddha, Ayurveda, and Unani medicine, especially for astringent, antimicrobial, and tissue-strengthening purposes.

In Siddha tradition, Masikai is highly valued for female health, oral hygiene, wound care, and internal strengthening when used in minute, controlled quantities. The galls are collected, cleaned, dried, and powdered for medicinal use.

• Taste (Suvai): Thuvarppu (Astringent)

• Potency (Veeryam): Cooling to neutral

• Dosha Action: Reduces Pitta and Kapha

🌍 Habitat

Oak trees producing medicinal galls are native to the Middle East, Mediterranean regions, and parts of Southern Europe and Western Asia. Masikai used in Indian medicine is traditionally imported from these regions and carefully selected based on hardness, weight, and tannin content.

🌟 Nutritional & Medicinal Benefits

🌸 Women’s Health & Reproductive Support

• Traditionally used for vaginal tightening and uterine toning

• Helps reduce excessive discharge (leucorrhea)

• Supports postnatal care and tissue strengthening

🦷 Oral & Dental Health

• Strengthens gums and teeth

• Helps control bleeding gums

• Used in traditional tooth powders

🩹 Wound Healing & Skin Care

• Strong astringent action helps wound contraction

• Controls minor bleeding

• Useful in skin infections and ulcers

🦠 Antimicrobial & Antiseptic

• Helps inhibit bacterial and fungal growth

• Used externally for infections and inflammations

🍽 Digestive & Intestinal Support

• Traditionally used in diarrhea and dysentery

• Helps tighten intestinal tissues

🧪 Active Compounds & Constituents

• Tannins (Gallic acid, Ellagic acid)

• Polyphenols

• Flavonoids

• Resinous compounds

High tannin content gives Masikai its strong astringent and antimicrobial properties.

🍵 Usage & Dosage

⚠️ Use strictly under qualified practitioner guidance

Internal Use (Traditional):

• A pinch to ⅛ teaspoon, once daily

• Taken with honey, warm water, or buttermilk

External Use:

• Mixed with water, rose water, or herbal decoctions

• Used for washes, pastes, or powders as advised

Duration:

• Short-term use only unless prescribed

⚠️ Precautions

• Excess intake may cause constipation

• Not recommended during pregnancy

• Avoid long-term internal use without supervision

• Ensure genuine, clean, and properly powdered Masikai

📦 Storage

• Store in an airtight container

• Keep in a cool, dry place away from moisture

• Protect from insects

Shelf Life:

• 12 months when stored properly

🌿 Organic & Ethical Considerations

• Use naturally formed, high-quality galls

• Avoid chemically treated or polished galls

• Powder under hygienic conditions

• Source from ethical, sustainable suppliers