A Comprehensive Guide to Ayurvedic Specialties
Shalmali,
1. Shalmali (Silk Cotton Tree)
Latin Name: Salmalia malabarica DC. (Syn. Bombax malabaricum)
Family: Bombacaceae (Malvaceae)
Classical Gana/Varga:
Charaka: Purishavirajaneeya, Shonitasthapana, Vedanasthapana, Kashayaskandha
Sushruta: Priyangyadi
Sanskrit Synonyms: Mocha, Pichchhila, Raktapushpa, Sthirayu, Tulini, Kantakadhya
Regional Names:
Hindi: Semal
Marathi: Savar, Katesavar
Tamil: Mullilava, Maruni
Telugu/Kannada: Vooragu, Mundliburugachettu
English: Silk Cotton Tree
Morphology: A large tree, up to 40 meters tall, with a broad stem (up to 6 meters) covered with stout, conical thorns. Leaves are digitate, with 5-7 lanceolate leaflets. Flowers are large, fleshy, and strontium-red in color. The fruit is a woody, 5-chambered capsule that dehisces to release black seeds embedded in white cotton (kapok).
Part Used: Root (Savaramushali), Flower, Fruit, Stem Bark, Gum (Mocharasa)
Purification (Śodhana): Information on specific Śodhana processes for Shalmali parts is not detailed in the provided text. Classical texts may describe methods like boiling in specific liquids (e.g., Gomutra) for the gum or root to mitigate potential side effects or enhance efficacy. Further reference to classical texts is recommended.
Preservation: The gum (Mocharasa) is collected and dried until it becomes smoky grey, hollow, and light. All dried parts (root bark, flowers) should be stored in airtight containers in a cool, dry place to protect from moisture and pests.
Attribute (Guṇa) Property
Rasa (Taste) Root: Madhura. Mocharasa (Gum): Kashaya
Guṇa (Quality) Laghu (Light), Snigdha (Unctuous), Pichchhila (Slimy)
Vīrya (Potency) Sheeta (Cooling)
Vipāka (Post-digestive) Madhura (Sweet)
Dosha Karma:
Root: Vata-Pittashamaka (pacifies Vata and Pitta), but can be Kaphakara (aggravates Kapha) in excess due to its Madhura Rasa and Vipaka.
Mocharasa (Gum): Kapha-Pittaghna (reduces Kapha and Pitta).
Srotas Karma (Actions by Body System):
Annavaha & Purishavaha Srotas (Digestive System): Mocharasa, due to its Kashaya (astringent) and Sheeta (cooling) properties, is a Stambhana (astringent) agent. It is used in the nirama (non-ama) stage of Atisara (diarrhea), Pravahika (dysentery), and Grahani (IBS/Sprue). As Pichchha Basti, it is highly effective in Raktatisara (bloody diarrhea) and complications from excessive Panchakarma.
Rasavaha & Raktavaha Srotas (Circulatory/Blood System): Being Stambhana, it controls bleeding. Used internally and as a local application for Raktapitta (bleeding disorders) and bleeding Arsha (hemorrhoids).
Shukravaha & Artavavaha Srotas (Reproductive System): The root (Savaramushali) is Vajikarana (aphrodisiac). Mocharasa is Shukrastambhana (spermatorrhea check). Its decoction is used as Uttara Basti (uterine douche) to heal ulcers causing Shvetapradara (leukorrhea) and Raktapradara (menorrhagia).
External Use: Bark Lepa (paste) is Shothahara (anti-inflammatory) for boils. Gum powder stops wound bleeding. A paste from thorns with milk is used cosmetically for facial discoloration.
Primary Actions: Shothahara (Anti-inflammatory), Vedanasthapana (Analgesic), Shonitasthapana (Hemostatic), Stambhana (Astringent), Vajikarana (Aphrodisiac), Vranaropana (Wound healing).
Dosage (Mātrā):
Root Powder: 2 - 3 grams
Mocharasa (Gum) Powder: 1 - 3 grams (Internal); 3 - 6 grams (for Pichchha Basti)
Flower Juice (Pushpa Swarasa): 10 - 20 ml
Anupāna (Vehicle): Rice washings, Milk, Honey, Sugar.
Important Formulations (Kalpa): Shalmalighrita.
Contraindications (Nivārita): The root should be used with caution in conditions of high Kapha or Ama (toxins) due to its Madhura and Snigdha properties.
Symptoms of Toxicity (Aśuddha Viṣa Lakṣaṇa): Not explicitly mentioned for Shalmali in the provided text. General signs of overdose for astringent, cooling substances may include aggravation of Vata, constipation, and abdominal colic.
Antidote & Treatment (Viṣa Chikitsā): Not specified. Management would typically involve discontinuing the herb and administering warm, unctuous, and Vata-pacifying substances.
Adulteration: Gum from Moringa oleifera (Shobhanjana) is a common adulterant for Mocharasa but is lighter in weight.
Chemical Composition: Root contains starch, sugar, proteins, minerals, fat, tannin, cellulose, naphthaquinone, and β-sitosterol. Mocharasa contains minerals, tannic acid, gallic acid, and catechol tannins.
Research Notes: Different parts of Shalmali have demonstrated significant hypoglycemic (blood sugar-lowering) activity in modern research.
Note on Kutashalmali (Eriodendron anfructuosum): This is a related species with different properties: Rasa-Katu, Tikta; Vipaka-Katu; Veerya-Ushna (Hot). It is Bhedana (purgative) and Kapha-Vataghna, used in Udararoga (ascites), Yakrit-Pleeha Vriddhi (hepatosplenomegaly), and Gulma (abdominal lumps).