Butea is commonly called ‘Flame of the Forest‘. It is called Palasa and Shimby Kul in Sanskrit and it belongs to the family Fabaceae. Other common names of the tree are Bastard tree and Butea Teak etc. The plant of Butea has various Ayurvedic health benefits.
Butea is a vata and kapha suppressant and has anti-inflammatory agents. Thus, it helps in reducing pains and also improves digestive system functioning. Various health benefits of Butea have been discussed in this article.
Ayurvedic Properties of Butea
- Guna (Properties) — ruksh, laghu
- Virya (Potency) – ushna
- Rasa (Taste) – tickt, katu and kashaya
Health Benefits of Butea
Flower, bark, gums, seeds and extract are used for medicinal purpose. Various benefits of Butea are as follows:
- Diarrhea— Butea gum is used for treatment of dysentery and diarrhea caused by worms infestation. It has a mild action, thus it is suitable for children and women. Butea leaves can be chewed for relief from above disorders.
- Intestinal Worms — Seeds are taken internally in paste or powder form with honey to kill worms in intestine. The plant is generally useful for treatment of tapeworms and roundworms.
- Skin Disorders — Butea seeds are useful in treatment of various skin diseases such as boils, tumorous piles, pimples, swellings and ulcers. The seeds of Butea are ground and mixed into lemon juice and dabbed on the itching area. Crushed Butea seeds can be used for healing of sores and wounds.
- Leucorrhoea — Butea leaves are used to treat leucorrhoea. Leaves infuson or decoction is used as a vaginal douch .
- Diabetes — Leaves are used as a remedy for diabetes, which helps reduce sugar in blood.
- Sore Throat — Leaves decoction is used for treatment of sore throat and also used as a mouth wash.
- Urine Retention — Leaves are used to treat urine retention. Pubic area should be fomented with leaves to cure this disorder.
The tree of Butea is also used in treatment of various other diseases such as rectal diseases, bone fracture, gonorrhea, tumors, ulcers, hepatopahty and hydrocele. The above are some of the benefits of Butea.
