A Comprehensive Guide to Ayurvedic Specialties
Palasha
Latin Name: Butea monosperma (Lam.) Kuntze
Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae); Papillionaceae (Aparajita upakula)
Classical Gana/Varga:
Sushruta: Rodhradi, Mushkakadi, Nyagrodhadi Ganas
Charaka: Unmentioned in the provided text.
Sanskrit Synonyms: Kinshuka, Raktapushpaka, Ksharashreshtha, Brahmavriksha, Samidvara, Triparna, Yajneeya.
Regional Names:
Hindi: Tesu
Marathi: Palasa
Gujarati: Khakhro, Palashapapda
Tamil: Paras
Telugu: Moduga
Kannada: Muttuga
Malayalam: Palashina samat
Morphology: A medium to large tree, 13-15 meters tall, with a girth of 1.5-2 meters at the base. The stem has smoky, rough, and flaky bark. Leaves are compound, trifoliate (three leaflets), each leaflet being 10-20 cm long. Flowers are a striking dark red, borne on inflorescences about 15 cm long. The fruit is a flat pod, 15-20 cm long and 4 cm broad, containing flat, round, reddish-black seeds. The gum exudes from incisions in the bark during the hot season and condenses.
Phenology: Flowers in the Vasanta Ritu (spring) and fruits in the Grishma Ritu (summer).
Habitat: Found all over India.
Part Used: Bark, Flower, Gum (Niryasa), Seed, Alkaline Ash (Kshara).
Purification (Śodhana): Not mentioned in the provided text.
Preservation: Not mentioned in the provided text.
Attribute (Guṇa) Property (Bark, Seed, Gum)
Rasa (Taste) Kashaya (Astringent), Katu (Pungent), Tikta (Bitter)
Guṇa (Quality) Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry)
Vīrya (Potency) Ushna (Heating)
Vipāka (Post-digestive) Katu (Pungent)
Note on Flowers: The flowers have different properties: Madhura Vipaka (sweet post-digestive effect), Sheeta (cooling potency), and Snigdha (unctuous quality).
Dosha Karma: Primarily Kapha-Vatahara. Its Katu, Tikta, Kashaya Rasas and Ushna Veerya are effective against Kapha. Its Ushna nature helps pacify Vata. However, due to its Teekshna (penetrating) quality, it should be used with caution in Pitta conditions.
Srotas Karma (Actions by Body System):
Annavaha / Purishavaha Srotas (Digestive System): The gum (Niryasa) is Pichchhila (slimy) and provides a coating action on the mucous membranes of the GI tract. This makes it healing for ulcers and useful in Atisara (diarrhea), Grahani (malabsorption syndrome), and bleeding piles. The seeds have a Bhedana (purgative) and strong Krimighna (anthelmintic) action, particularly against roundworms.
Rasavaha / Raktavaha Srotas (Circulatory System): The flowers and gum have Stambhana (styptic) properties, making them highly useful in Raktapitta (bleeding disorders). The seed purifies blood and is used in Vatarakta (gout).
Mamsavaha Srotas (Muscle Tissue): A paste of the seeds has antimicrobial properties, killing maggots in wounds and useful in skin infections like Vicharchika (eczema) and Dadru (ringworm).
Medovaha Srotas (Adipose Tissue): Useful in Kaphaja Prameha (urinary disorders) by reducing tissue flabbiness (Shaithilya) and controlling excessive urine formation due to its Kashaya Rasa.
Asthivaha / Majjavaha Srotas (Skeletal System): The bark, flower, and gum, due to their Kashaya Rasa, promote bone healing and are used as a paste for fractures.
Shukrartavavaha Srotas (Reproductive System): The gum is Vrishya (aphrodisiac) and the seed is Vajikara (aphrodisiac), useful in Shukradaurbalya (low sperm count/quality). The flower, being Stambhana, is used in Pradara (leukorrhea). The alkaline ash (Kshara) is used for Raktagulma (abdominal tumors) and Anartava (amenorrhea).
Primary Actions: Stambhana (Styptic, Astringent), Vranaropana (Wound healing), Krimighna (Anthelmintic), Bhedana (Purgative), Shothahara (Anti-inflammatory), Vrishya (Aphrodisiac), Asthi Sandhanakara (Bone-healing).
Dosage (Mātrā):
Bark Decoction: 50 - 100 ml
Flower Powder (Pushpa Churna): 3 - 6 grams
Gum (Niryasa): 1 - 3 grams
Seed Powder: 3 - 6 grams
Kshara (Alkaline Ash): 0.5 - 1 gram
Anupāna (Vehicle): Warm water, Milk, Sugar.
Important Formulations (Kalpa): Palashabeejadi Churna, Palashakshara Ghrita, Palashapushpasava, Krimimudgara Rasa, Palashabeeja Kajjali.
Contraindications (Nivārita): The seeds, being Teekshna (penetrating), should not be given to patients with Pitta Prakriti (Pitta constitution). The fruit has a laxative effect.
Symptoms of Toxicity (Aśuddha Viṣa Lakṣaṇa): Not mentioned in the provided text.
Antidote & Treatment (Viṣa Chikitsā): Not mentioned in the provided text.
Chemical Composition:
Bark: Contains gum, kinotannic acid, gallic acid (50%), and alkaline substances.
Seeds: Contain a fixed oil (15%) and an anthelmintic compound called Palasonin.
Flowers: Contain ten different flavonoids and glucosides.