Sanskrit Name: Patala
Identification No.: SDACH/HG/279
Botanical Name: Stereospermum suaveolens DC.
Family Name: Bignoniaceae
Vernacular Names:
Hindi – Padal, Patala
Marathi – Padal
Tamil – Pavalamalli
Telugu – Kondamalle
Kannada – Padala mara
Malayalam – Padalimaram
English – Rose Trumpet Tree
Synonyms – Shloka from Bhav Prakash:
पाटलिः पाटलाऽमोघा मधुदूतो फलेरुहा |
कृष्णवृन्ता कुबेराक्षी कालस्थाल्यलिवल्लभा ||१६||
ताम्रपुष्पी
Classification According to Classical Texts:
Charaka – Included in Shirovirechanopaga
Sushruta – Mentioned under Nyagrodhadi Gana
Vagbhata – Vata-Kapha Shamaka Dravya
Bhavaprakasha – guduchiyadi Varga
Habitat & Distribution:
Commonly found in moist deciduous forests and plains throughout India, especially in central and southern regions like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Odisha. Prefers warm tropical climate and grows up to 1200 m altitude.
Morphology
A medium to large deciduous tree, up to 25 meters high. Bark is greyish-brown, rough, and exfoliating in irregular scales. Leaves are large, opposite, pinnate, with 3–7 leaflets. Flowers are large, trumpet-shaped, fragrant, pale purple to pink, and appear in clusters. Fruits are long, cylindrical, slightly curved pods with numerous winged seeds.
Substitute / Adulterant:
Sometimes adulterated with bark of other Stereospermum species like S. chelonoides.
Phytochemicals:
Contains lapachol, stereochenol, sterols, flavonoids, tannins, and glycosides. The root bark contains alkaloids and iridoids responsible for its anti-inflammatory and diuretic activities.
Raspanchaka:
- Rasa – Tikta, Katu
- Guna – Laghu, Ruksha
- Virya – Ushna
- Vipaka – Katu
- Prabhava – Shwasahara
- Dosha Shamakta – Vata-Kaphahara
Karma (Rogaghnata):
- Shwasahara (relieves asthma)
- Kaphanashaka
- Krimighna (anti-parasitic)
- Jwarahara (antipyretic)
- Vranaropana (wound healing)
- Shothahara (anti-inflammatory)
- Anulomana (mild laxative)
Amayika Prayoga / Therapeutic Uses:
External – Bark paste used in localized inflammation and swelling.
Internal – Root decoction used for asthma, cough, fever, urinary disorders, and as a digestive. Beneficial in gulma, pandu, and krimi roga.
Part Used: Root bark
Dose:
- Churna – 3–6 g
- Kwatha – 50–100 ml
Yoga / Formulations:
- Dashamoola Kwatha
- Chitrakadi Vati
- Agastya Haritaki
- Dashamoolarishta
- Patolakaturohinyadi Kashaya
IUCN Status: Least Concern (LC)
Research Updates
- 2023 – Study in Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine demonstrated its hepatoprotective activity in paracetamol-induced liver damage in rats.
- 2022 – Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Stereospermum suaveolens bark extract validated in vitro (Published in Pharmacognosy Research).
- 2020 – Research in Indian Journal of Experimental Biology supported the traditional claim of bronchodilatory and antiasthmatic properties of root extract.
