Devil Tree (Saptaparna)

Saptaparna is a tall evergreen tree of the Apocynaceae family, native from Pakistan across India to China and northern Australia. Its leaves grow in whorls of about seven, which gives it its Sanskrit name, and it releases a strong fragrance when it flowers in autumn. It grows in Kerala and the Western Ghats and is often planted along roads.

In Ayurveda the bitter bark is used in traditional preparations, including skin care formulations, and classical texts describe it as cleansing. The bark is the part used, and it should be used only in measured classical formulations.