Haldu

Haldu is a large deciduous tree of the coffee family native to southern Asia, from India to China and Malaysia, and found in the forests of Kerala. It grows well over 20 metres, with broad heart-shaped leaves and yellowish, ball-like flower heads that bloom in the dry season. Botanists now place it as Adina cordifolia.

Known as Haridru in Sanskrit, its yellowish bark is used in Ayurvedic and folk practice in traditional preparations for skin care. The bark is the part used.