Botanical Name : Butea monosperma
Family : Papilionaceae; Fabaceae
Identification No.: SDACH/HG/048
Introduction :
It is the most important plants for the Yajna. Its gum (red coloured) is also described in vedic texts. it used in the management of Arsas, Atisãra, Raktapitta, Kustha, Raktaja Gulma etc.
The flame tree belongs to the subfamily Caesalpinioideae, family Fabaceae (formerly Leguminosae).
The Chinese flame tree belongs to the Sapindaceae family and is classified as Koelreuteria bipinnata.
Names in different Indian languages :
English : Flame of the Forest,Butea Gum, Bengal Kino,bastard teak
Hindi : Dhak,palash
Kannada : muttagamara
Malayalam : Plasu,chamata
Sanskrit : palasah
Tamil : Camata,purasus
Telugu : moduga
Unani : Dhaak,Samagh Dhaak,Kamarkas
Folk : Tesu
Synonyms :
Kimsuka, Ksãrarestha, Brahmopanetra, Rakta puspa, Samidvara, Brahma Vrksa, Vãtapotha, Triparni , Paalasha, Kimshuka, Raktapushpaka, Kshaarshreshtha, Brahmavriksha, Samidvar.
B. frondosa Koenig ex Roxb.
Classification according to Charaka, Susrutha & Vagbhata :
Susrutha : Rodhrãdi, Muskakãdi, Ambasthãdi, Nyagrodhãdi
Vagbhata : Rodhrãdi, Muskakãdi, Ambasthãdi, Nyagrodhãdi
Varieties & adulterants – (CV – controversy, AD – adulterants) :
1. Latapalsa – B. superb Roxb
2. Rakta (red),
3. Pita (yellow)
4. Sveta (white)
5. Neela (blue).
Morphology :
A deciduous tree growing up to 15 m. height and 1.5-2 m in girth, trunk is crooked. Bark light-brown or bluish-grey, yielding a ruby-red vitreous gum(Butea gum or Bengal keno) Wood-white or yellow-brown.
Leaves trifoliolate, large, unequal, 10.5-20.5 cm.
Flowers- in racemes, brilliant orange-red, 4-6 cm. long; lower calyx-teeth deltoid.
Fruits- pods, silvery-white, broad, dehiscent (by one suture).
seeds- flat, elliptic, reddish-grey, 3 cm.
Distribution & Habitat :
Throughout India
Chemical constituents :
butin, butrin, isobutrin, palastrin, butrin, coreopsin, monospermoside , sulphurein, chalcones.
Flowers— butin, isocorcopsin, monospermoide, butein (major glucoside), isomonospermoside, coreopsin, palasitrin.
Roots— Glycine, Jalaric esters I, II, III & IV etc
Gum— leucocyanidin, procyanidin etc.
Seeds— monaspermin, palasonin, essential oil with myristic, palmitic acids etc.
Properties :
Rasa- Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
Guna -Laghu, Snigdha
Virya – Usna
Vipaka – Katu
Karma : Vãta-kapha hara, Grãhi, Krmighna, Dipana
Bark—astringent, styptic (prescribed in bleeding piles, ulcers, haemorrhages, menstrual disorders), anthelmintic.
Flowers—astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue (also given for leucorrhoea). A decoction of flowers is given in diarrhoea and haematuria, also to puerperal women.
Seeds—clinical use of seeds as an anthelmintic drug is not considered safe in humans
Indication :
Krimi, Pliha roga, Gulma, Grahani, Arsaas. astringent, bleeding piles, ulcers, haemorrhages (menstrual disorders), anthelmintic. diuretic, emmenagogue (also given for leucorrhoea).Antibacterial,antifungal
Part used :
stem bark, flowers, seeds, gum , ash
Dosage :
Bark decoction 50-100 ml, seed powder 5-8 g, flower powder 5-6 g, gum 2-4 g
Important Yogas or Formulations :
Krmimudgararas, Palãgaksãra taila
Amayaka prayog
- External Analgesic and Anti inflammatory in nature. Flower, Bark and Resin has absorbent properties, seed has scraping action and Leaves Analgesic and Absorbent properties. In obstruction of urine palasa flower can be taken and can be used for tying over bladder area; which helps to relieve the symptom. Leaves after making hot can be used for tying over inflammatory areas. Bark decoction can be used for wound cleaning, in Hemorrhoids and in Leukorrhea. Seed paste is indicated in skin diseases, eye diseases etc. Oil can be used for external application in Erectile dysfunction. Seed powder can be used for nasya in Epilepsy. Oil is indicated in Animal poisoning.
- Digestive System Carminative, Digestant, and liver stimulant. Flowers have absorbent properties. Alkali prepared out of it processes Bhedana and Anulomana action. Bark decoction is indicated in Malabsorption syndrome, Hemorrhoids, and in diminished digestive strength. Flower is indicated in Excessive thirst and in Diarrhea. Palasa kshara is beneficial in Ascites, Phantom tumor and in abdominal colic.
- For three days, a dose of 3-6 grams of seed powder can be taken in the morning and at night. On the fourth day, purging with castor oil is done to get rid of roundworms. (Gandupada krimi). Circulatory System – Flower and Resin is beneficial in Bleeding disorders and Seed is indicated in vatarakta (Flower and Resin is rakta sthambaka and seed is Rakta sodhaka.
- Excretory System – Flower is indicated in Dysuria and Seed in Diabetes.
- Reproductive system – To improve the quantity of semen resin can be given. Flowers are beneficial in Menorrhagia.
- Tvak – Both flower and seed are indicated in skin disorders. To control sweating resin is useful.
- Tapakrama – Flower is indicated in fever associated with burning sensation.
Therapeutic Uses :
1. Slipada-Juice of Palãsa root and equal quantity of Sarsapa are given with oil (V.M). .
2. Krimi- Seed paste or juice of Palãsa may be taken with butter milk (S.S.Ut.54)
3. Pumsavana- The pregnant lady (2-3 months after conception) may be given paste of one palasa leave with milk (B. P).
IUCN Status: Least Concern (LC)
Research updates (past 5 years):
1. A 2021 study validated the anti-diabetic and antioxidant effects of Palash bark extract.
2. A 2022 paper highlighted wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities of Palash leaves and gum.
3. A 2023 in vitro study demonstrated strong anthelmintic potential of Palash seed powder.
