Mokha / मोखा / Weaver’s Beam Tree / Schrebera swietenioides Roxb.

Other Names

  • Local Name: Mokha / मोखा
  • Common Name: Weaver’s Beam Tree
  • Botanical Name: Schrebera swietenioides Roxb.

Status & Habitat

  • Habitat: Tree
  • Occurrence: Moist deciduous forests
  • Season of Availability: Warmer parts of the year
  • Geography: India and Myanmar
  • Method of Propagation: Seed propagation
  • Part used for Propagation: Seeds

Edible Parts

  • Edible Parts: Fruits & Leaves
  • Can be Eaten Raw: Yes

Method of Consumption

  • Raw: Yes, Leaves
  • Ripe: No
  • Both Raw & Ripe: No
  • Dangerous Form to Consume: N/A
  • As Food: Leaves may be eaten raw, boiled with salt and spices, or made into a curry.
  • As Medicine: Ghee prepared from the roots is used on skin diseases; kshara prepared from the plant helps treat oral cavities.
  • Cooking Without Prior Boiling: Not Required
  • Boiling Before Cooking: Yes
  • Pickling: N/A
  • Brining: N/A
  • Fermenting: N/A
  • Drying for later Consumption: N/A
  • Overall Method: Leaves may be eaten raw, boiled with salt and spices, or made into a curry.

Nutritional & Medicinal Benefits

  • Nutritional Benefit: N/A
  • Medicinal Benefit: Skin diseases, Oral cavities, Spleen enlargement, Urinary tract ailments, burns, boils, leprosy.

Tribal Wisdom

  • Tribal Wisdom: Ghee prepared from the roots is used on skin diseases; kshara prepared from the plant helps treat oral cavities.

Recipes / Usage

  • Tribal Recipe / Usage: Sabji:
    Cut tender leaves into small pieces; wash with water and drain excess water; add to tadka and mix in Indian spices; cook till soft and add salt to taste.