Tecoma undulata is a tree species that is found in Thar Desert regions of northwest and western India. The trade name of the tree species is Desert teak or Marwar teak. The Sanskrit names for the tree are Rohitaka, Dadimachchhada, Plihaghna, Rohi or Dadimapushpaka. The tree flourishes in the dry districts of India and Pakistan.

Tecoma undulata is a deciduous, ornamental shrub or a small tree that grows as high as 12 m with a girth up to 2.4 m. The leaves of the Tecoma undulata are oblong or linear-oblong and the flowers are pale yellow to deep orange. Rohitaka, the Sanskrit name of Tecoma undulata, is one of the herbs mentioned in all ancient books of Ayurveda. Two varieties of rohitaka have been mentioned that is rakta (red flowered) and shweta (white flowered).

Tecoma undulata is pungent, astringent and bitter in taste and has cold potency. It has got many medicinal properties. It is antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, hepatoprotective, anticancer, muscle relaxant, analgesic, astringent, anthelmintic and refringent. It is relaxant, cardiotonic and choleretic. It has a special potency as accumulation breaking herb and helps in contracting the spleen. It possesses light and dry attributes. It is used in the diseases like ascites, liver and spleen disorders, jaundice, hepatitis, urinary disorders, obesity, tumors, blood disorders, flatulence, abdominal pain and cough. Seeds of Tecoma undulata are used against abscess. Traditionally in many parts of South Asia, its flower is used for Hepatitis.

The bark-skin of rohitaka has great medicinal value and is used for medicinal purpose, externally as well as internally. Externally, the paste of its bark skin is applied on traumatic wounds, associated with haematoma. It also promotes the wound healing. In conjunctivitis, the juice is instilled into eyes, with great benefit. Internally, the powder of bark skin is given along with ghee in gaematoma. Rohitaka is specially recommended in ascites with hepatosplenomegaly. It is an excellent blood purifier and cholegogue, hence, quite helpful in hepatitis. The special property of Rohitaka as a reducing herb is salutary in obesity. It is also an antitoxin, hence beneficial in poisons. Rohitaka being a potent blood purifier, it is extremely useful in syphilis, gonorrhea and gout. As a keen stimulant for digestive system, it is very effective in the treatment for piles, anorexia, flatulence, tumors and worm infestations. In leucorrhea, the pulp of the roots is given along with rice water. The decoction of bark-skin, as an adjunct, is salutary in diabetes mellitus.

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