Palasha, (Butea monosperma) is a traditional Indian medicinal tree that also serves as an ornamental tree due to its vibrant red flowers that it bears, resulting in the common name of ‘Flame of the Forest’.
The tree’s bark is dark brown or blue grey on the outside and is fibrous, twisted, and tortuous. This tree’s bark exhibits a reddish exudate. Trifoliate leaves have long petioles with tiny stipules. With seven or eight pairs of lateral veins, leaflets have an oval, rather leathery form.
Description
Because of its many therapeutic benefits, butea is widely employed in Ayurveda medicine. Butea monosperma is also known by the popular names Flame of the Forest, Bastard Teak, Battle of Plassey Tree, Parrot Tree, Bengal Kino, and Palas Tree.
Botanical Name:
Butea monosperma
Family:
Fabaceae
Leaves:
The leaves are trifoliate, which means that each stalk contains three leaflets. Each leaflet ranges in length from 10 to 20 cm, and they are generally leathery. The lateral leaflets are obliquely ovate, whilst the terminal leaflet is rhomboid-obovate in shape.
Flowers:
The Palash blooms, which have a striking orange-yellow hue and resemble flames, give the tree its common name, Flame of the Forest. Sacred tree, Parrot tree, Butea gum, and Bastard teak are some of its other well-known English names.
Bark:
The Palasha tree has rough, fibrous bark that is greyish-brown in color. Occasionally, a reddish exudate may be visible.
Pods:
Following flowering, the Palasha yields flat pods of 4-5 cm in width and 15-20 cm in length.Each of these pods holds a single seed.
Habitat:
The Indian subcontinent’s tropical and subtropical zones are home to Butea monosperma. Additionally, it can be found across Southeast Asia, including Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia. It is widely distributed in the dry regions, open grasslands, and other wastelands of India.
Chemical Constituents
Flavonoids such as sulfurein, butrin, isobutrin, coreopsin, and isocoreopsin are found in flowers.
Sanskrit Synonyms
Bastard Peak, Dhak, Tesu, Kimsuka, Raktapuspaka, Kulekhara, Kesudo, Khakharo, Khakhapado, Muttug, Muttuga, Muttala, Plasu, Camata, Plas, Chama Tha, Purasu, Paras, Moduga, Modugu, Chettu, and Palaspapda are sites that contain Butea monosperma.
Other Language Names of Palasha, (Butea monosperma)
English name – Flame of the forest, Bengal kino, bastard teak
Bengali name – Palas
Gujarati name – Khakharo
Marathi name – Kakracha
Kannada name – Muttuga
Punjabi name – Dhak, Palash
Thai name – Tong kwaao
Malayalam name – Brahmabriksham, Kimshukam
Hindi name – Dhak, Palas, Tesu, Palaash
Telugu nam – Mooduga, Palasamu
Tamil name – Parasa
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Order | Fabales |
| Family | Fabaceae |
Ayurvedic Properties
Hindi/Sanskrit
- Rasa -Katu,Tikta,Kashaya
- Guna -Laghu,Ruksha
- Virya -Ushna
- Vipaka -Katu
English
- Taste -Pungent, Bitter, Astringent
- Physical Property-Light, Dry
- Potency- Ushna
- Metabolic Property (After Digestion)-Pungent
Palasha, (Butea monosperma) Uses
Bark:
The bark’s astringent and anti-inflammatory qualities are employed in Ayurvedic medicine. It is thought to be beneficial for digestion problems, skin disorders, and general tonic purposes.
Flowers:
The flowers are used for their blood-purifying and cooling qualities. They have long been included in Ayurvedic formulas for blood disorder and skin disease situations.
Seeds:
Seeds have anthelmintic qualities, they aid in the removal of intestinal worms. They are also used for respiratory system-related ailments.
Palasha, (Butea monosperma) Benefits
Diabetes:
Palash is said to be beneficial for diabetics since it has antihyperglycemic qualities that aid in the management of diabetes. Studies reported on the National Center for Biotechnology Information’s (NCBI) website suggest that taking 200 mg of parash powder a day will lower blood cholesterol and diabetes. In addition, it supports the enhancement of healthy cholesterol.
Skin Disorders:
Palasha’s anti-inflammatory and blood-purifying qualities have led to its traditional use in Ayurveda medicine to treat a variety of skin conditions.
Treats Hypertension:
Palash is rich in potassium and has very little cholesterol; therefore it’s acceptable to include it on a regular basis in a diet to support heart health. The flower and leaf extracts are easy to incorporate into a lot of regular home-cooked Indian meals because they increase blood flow to and from the heart, reduce blood vessel wall force, lower hypertension, and guarantee that the heart’s muscles are working at their best.
Eye problems:
Palash has long been used to treat a range of eye conditions. It helps with conditions affecting the eyes, such as cataracts and night blindness. This is accomplished by periodically applying a few drops of Palash (Butea monosperma) root extract to the eyes, which resolves all ocular issues.
Blood Purification:
Because of the plant’s ability to purify blood, the blooms and other parts are employed.
Enhances Digestive System:
Due to its high fiber content and carminative qualities, palash helps to avoid painful stomach cramps, bloating, and constipation after a large meal. Additionally, because of its laxative properties, it controls bowel motions, which reduces stomach discomfort.
Hair Growth:
Palash has a wide range of phytonutrients that give hair strands strength and nutrition. Furthermore, it preserves follicles and deeply penetrates the scalp’s layers when applied as a gel of leaf or flower paste, preserving the thickness and stability of hair. Palash is the most natural choice if you want to grow strong, long hair.
Beneficial in piles:
Pile therapy is effective when using palash flower. Manganese is among the numerous important minerals that may be discovered in the dried blossoms of Palash, according to research that was published on NCBI. In treating piles, it is helpful. Consume ghee along with the ash of the Palash plant for this. There are numerous advantages to this. In addition, it is advantageous to apply ghee to young, tender palash leaves and eat them with curd.
Fever:
Palisades serves as a medication for conditions such as colds, coughs, fevers, and asthma that arise with changing weather. Consuming the decoction of Palash bark is advantageous for this.
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Palasha, (Butea monosperma) Side Effects
Allergic reactions:
Certain individuals may have allergies to Palash or goods derived from it. Palash should not be consumed or used if you have any allergic reactions, such as itching, redness, or swelling.
Kidney problems:
Palash may potentially result in renal issues, particularly when used frequently or in high dosages.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding:
Because there is insufficient safety information, Palash is not advised for use by pregnant or nursing mothers.
Conclusion
Butea monosperma, also known as palasha, is important in traditional medicine, especially Ayurveda, because of its possible medicinal uses. To determine its effectiveness and safety, more research is necessary. Those who are interested in using Palasha medicinally should consult with licensed medical professionals.
FAQS
What Advantages Does the Palash Flower Offer?
Because of their astringent properties, palash’s blossoms and leaves are well known for helping to relieve common skin problems including acne and pimples. In addition, because of its strong aphrodisiac properties, it also increases libido and speeds up digestion when taken orally.
What is the medicinal use of Palash flower?
Palash flowers and leaves have astringent, diuretic, and aphrodisiac properties. They also enhance blood flow in the pelvic area. The tree’s seeds are purgative, diuretic, and anthelmintic, or anti-parasitic. They also increase the generation of urine. When dealing with intestinal parasites, the powdered seed is utilized.
Can People With Diabetes Take Palash?
According to a number of studies, bioactive components in Palash exhibit activity similar to that of insulin, which lowers blood sugar rises and manages diabetes.