Flame of the forest: a tree of medicinal value

Palash is used as tonic and anthelmintic in Ayurveda. In Ayurvedic treatise Acharya Charak and Sushruta mentioned the medicinal use of seeds and bark. Chakradatta described its gum as astringent and seeds as anti-parasitic. Palash is considered anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anthelmintic, anti-diabetic, diuretic, analgesic, antitumor and astringent. Its leaves are astringent, diuretic and anti-ovulatory properties. Its flowers are tonic and nutritive. Its roots are used to treat night blindness.
Medicinal uses of Palash/Dhak
Various part of Palash tree are used in traditional medicine system, Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani, for treatment of variety of diseases. The seeds of tree have purgative, diuretic/stimulates production of urine and anthelmintic/ anti-parasitic properties. The seeds powder is used in case of intestinal parasites. The seeds when ground with lemon juice have powerful rubefacient (causing dilation of the capillaries and an increase in blood circulation) action and are used for treating Dhobi’s itch. Flowers and leaves are diuretic, aphrodisiac, astringent and increase flow of blood in pelvic region. In diarrhoea flower infusion is given.

Palash tree bark yields a gum which is known as Bengal Kino. It has astringent action and is useful in case of haemorrhage.

Many Ayurvedic medicines such as Krimikuthar rasa, Mahanarayana taila, Janma ghutti, Palasabeejadi Churna contain Palash as an ingredient.

Here are few remedies that can be done at home to cure various disorders using Butea or Palash.

Crotch itch (dhobi itch or jock itch)
Take Palash seeds (1 teaspoon) and pound in lemon juice (1 teaspoon). Apply on affected area.

Intestinal parasites
The seeds of Palash tree are anthelmintic and laxative.

The fresh seed juice can be given with honey.

Seed kernel powder is also used for treating parasitic infestation. The seeds are soaked in water and seed coat is removed to get the kernel. The kernels are dried and powdered. The powder is taken in dose of 1/2 teaspoon with honey for three days.

Inflammation, sprain, swelling due to any reason (arthritis, moch)
Palash or daak flowers are used to treat inflammation, swelling and sprain in body. Take Palash flower and cook in steam. For cooking in steam take vessel full of water, bring it to boil when steam starts coming put a mesh or grid on it as lid. Now put flowers on it. Apply these flowers on affected part.

Dysentery
Palash Gum Powder, cinnamon powder (each 1/4 teaspoon) are taken with warm water.

Ringworm
Dust crushed seeds of Palash on affected body area.

Snakebite
The traditional remedy for snakebite (that is used in some parts of India), is to give mix of equal amount of Palash bark and ginger orally.

Urine retention
The flowers (one handful) are boiled in one litre water. The mix is filtered and rock salt is added. This should be taken frequently.

Blood purification
Palash flowers are used to remove body toxins. For this purpose dried or fresh flowers can be used. Take dried flowers and grind in mortar and pestle to make powder. Take 1 -2 gm daily.

Sexual dysfunction, intestinal infection, ulcer
Take dried Palash flower and make powder. This powder (1 teaspoon) should be taken twice a day with misri and milk.

Diabetes, discharge
Take Palash flower powder (2 gm) with misri (2 gm). If suffering from diabetes do not mix misri.

Boils
Prepare paste of leaves and apply on affected area.

Dosage of various palash parts
Stem bark- 5-10 g powder;Decoction of bark – 50-100 ml twice a day;

Fresh leaves juice- 10-15 ml, twice a day;

Flower – 3-6 g powder;

Seed powder- 0.5-1 g;

Gum- 25-50 mg twice a day

Caution, Side-effects of Palash (Butea monosperma)

Like every other medicine, Herbs also have some side-effects.

Butin from Palash seeds have anti-conceptive and anti-implantation activity.
The seeds exhibited anti-implantation, pregnancy terminating and reduction in the number of implantation sites in dose dependent manner.
Butin has weak estrogenic activity.
Palash seeds are used traditionally as contraceptive.

The seeds must be used as medicine for short duration and in recommended dosage. When seeds are given for longer duration to rats, dogs and rabbits, nephrotoxicity, anaemia, gross dilation of stomach, gastric inflammation, liver enlargement and spleen enlargement (with congestion) occurred.

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