Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants
Butea monosperma
Genus: Butea
Botanical name: Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub.
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
Sanskrit: Palasa, Kimsuka, Raktapushpa, Ksharasreshta
English: Flame of the forest
Hindi: Palas, Dhak
Malayalam: Chamata, Plash
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Flame of the forest is a medium sized dry season-deciduous tree, growing to 15 m tall. It is a slow growing tree, young trees have a growth rate of a few feet per year. Theleaves are pinnate, with an 8–16 cm petiole and three leaflets, each leaflet 10–20 cm long. The flowers are 2.5 cm long, bright orange-red, and produced in racemes up to 15 cm long. The fruit is a pod 15–20 cm long and 4–5 cm broad.
It is used for timber, resin, fodder, medicine, and dye. The wood is dirty white and soft and, being durable under water, is used for well-curbs and water scoops. Good charcoal can be made from it. The leaves are usually very leathery and not eaten by cattle.
Flame of the forest medicinal plant helps to cuire bleeding due to viper bite.