TREE OF HEAVEN (Ailanthus altissima)
Key: Heaven on Earth
The tree of heaven originates from China and was introduced into Britain in 1751. It does well in mild climates and is planted as an ornamental tree in many towns. In very warm climates its seeds and suckers freely. Tree of heaven resembles ash, with opposite leaflets, but distinguished by a notch on each near the stalk and often there is no terminal leaflet. The leaves open red very late, usually at the end of June, and also fall early. Trees are separately male and female with flowers of greenish- yellow clusters forming large pannicles at the end of the shoots. The female flowers ripen to a red-brown winged fruit. Tree of heaven is an open crowned, broadly columnar tree with “wriggly” branches growing to 65ft (20m).
Tree of heaven gives dynamic, energising spiritual qualities whilst protecting the integrity of the subtle body systems. It energises practical spirituality and practical wisdom.
The crown chakra becomes energised and grounded so that its energy is more easily accessible to other systems of the body. It supplies sufficient energy that this essence will help to break through any blocks at the spiritual level.
Minor chakras at the centre of the forehead help to clarify the understanding of larger truths and ideals, universal concepts and past life viewing. A chakra at the medulla oblongata is stimulated to integrate the experience of bliss onto the physical, thus allowing the experience of the spiritual into the physical.
There is the ability to resolve emotional trauma and obsolete emotional beliefs held in the emotional body. Within the finer levels of personal consciousness there is a greater possibility for the integration and healing of subtle injuries and shock.
Comment: The inner bark of the tree of heaven was used in China for dysentery and other bowel complaints. It has a strong, bitter smell and is astringent, antispasmodic and a cardiac depressant. A tincture from the root bark has been used for asthma, epilepsy and cardiac palpitations.