Butea Monosperma

BUTEA MONOSPERMA

The herb Butea Monosperma belongs to the plant family Fabaceae and the order Fabales. This herb is commonly known as Palas in Hindi. It is also called “the flame of the forest” due to the bright orange and scarlet colors of its flowers. It follows the trade name “Butea” which has been taken from its scientific name Butea Monosperma.

Historical Details

The tree Butea Monosperma was discovered in India and its therapeutic properties were first discovered here as well. Its parts have been used ever since for various medicinal purposes.

Areas of Cultivation

This tree is native to India and can be found growing all over the country but it is most easily spotted in the mixed and/ or dry deciduous forests located in Central India and Western India.

Parts Used

The parts of the herb Butea Monosperma that are used for medicinal purposes are its flowers, its leaves the gum obtained from the plant, its seeds and the oil that can be extracted from the flowers as well as the seeds. The flowers of the tree are rich in glucosides, butin, neteroside and butrin whereas the seeds are a rich source of moodooga oil or kino- tree oil which is a fixed oil and is yellow color. This oil has various medicinal properties. The gum obtained from the tree is rich in gallic acid and tannic acid and is referred to as Bengal kino gum or simply Butea gum. The leaves of the Butea Monosperma are used as ingredients of tonics and aphrodisiacs and are also helpful in arresting bleeding or secretion.

CHARACTERISTICS OF BUTEA MONOSPERMA

The Butea Monosperma is famously known as the “flame of the forest” and the reason behind the tree getting accorded this name is that it bears very bright flowers which are either orange or scarlet in color. When the tree is in full bloom, the flowers grow in a number of clusters and the appearance of the tree is then such that it looks as if it has been set aflame, hence, the name. The tree Palas is of medium height and has compound leaves. The leaves of the tree fall off in the winter season and the flowers then bloom in the months of February and March. The flowers grow in huge clusters and on leaf-less branches. The fruits that the plant bears are in the shape of flat pods and each fruit contains a single seed within itself.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES USEFUL AGAINST DISEASES

The herb Butea Monosperma has found many uses as a medicinal herb. It can be used internally or as a preparation that can be applied externally.

Its uses are given below in detail:

Internal Uses:

• Diarrhea– The gum of the tree can be used to relieve Diarrhea when taken in three doses regularly. It is however not suitable for women and children to consume this gum.
• Dysentery– The gum of the plant is also useful in relieving dysentery.
• Intestinal Worms– The seeds of Butea can be ground into a powdered form and this powder can then be consumed to kill worms in the stomach and the intestines.
• Diabetes– The leaves of the tree help reduce blood sugar and relieve Diabetes.
• Sore Throat– The leaves of the tree can be boiled in water and this can be used as a mouthwash to relieve sore throat.

External Uses:

• Skin Disorders– For relieving eczema, itching and/ or other skin disorders, the seeds should be ground to a paste and the paste should then be applied to the affected area regularly.
• Leucorrhoea– The leaves are also beneficial in the management of Leucorrhoea. A decoction prepared from them should be used to wash the genital parts regularly to relieve the disease.
• Retention of Urine– The leaves of the plant should be made into a decoction to wash the pubic region regularly with so as to increase the retention of urine.

USE OF BUTEA MONOSPERMA IN AROMATHERAPY

The herb Butea Monosperma has not found any medicinal use in Aromatherapy as of yet.

PRECAUTIONS AND SAFETY MEASURES WHILE USING BUTEA MONOSPERMA

The Butea Monosperma is a very safe herb to use. However, this should not be done without taking proper medical advice from a doctor. In fact, medical advice should be sought before the usage of any herb or drug.

PRODUCTS OF PLANET AYURVEDA THAT MAKE USE OF BUTEA MONOSPERMA

As of now there are no Planet Ayurveda products which contain Butea Monosperma. But the below mentioned other products of Planet Ayurveda are useful in some conditions for which Butea Monosperma is used.