Sal Tree (Shorea robusta): Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More

Introduction

Sal is revered as a holy tree and is known as the ‘House of Tribal Goddess’¹. Shorea robusta Gaertn. belongs to the Dipterocarpaceae family and is widely known as sal or shala tree. Sal is a deciduous tree with a trunk diameter of up to five metres and a height of roughly 50 metres. Sal is widely distributed in India, Bhutan and Nepal. In India, the species is spread from Himachal Pradesh to Assam, West Bengal, Tripura, Orissa and Bihar, eastern districts of Madhya Pradesh ranging further to the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh². 

Sal has a dark-brown bark and clean, cylindrical, straight stems. The leaves are broadly oval at the base, tapering into a long point at the apex. Sal has yellowish-white flowers grouped in massive terminal or axillary, racemose panicles (a loose branching cluster of flowers). Fruits are about 1.3 to 1.5 cm long with a diameter of about 1 cm and encircled by calyx segments extended into five uneven wings¹.  

Properties of Sal Tree

The leaves and bark are used to treat leprosy, wounds, ulcers, cough, gonorrhoea, headache, diarrhoea, and vaginal discharges. The plant resin has astringent, carminative and stomachic properties. This medicinal herb has been used in Ayurveda for various purposes for centuries².  

There are as follows:  

• It may show anti-inflammatory activity  
• It may have antimicrobial activity  
• It may have analgesic (pain-relieving) property³  
• It may show antioxidant activity²  
• It may have an antiulcer property
• It may have antidiabetic blood sugar-lowering activity  
• It may possess wound healing activity  
• It may show an anti-obesity effect
• It may demonstrate immunomodulatory properties³.  

Potential Uses of Sal Tree

1. Potential Uses of Sal for Healing Wounds

The bioactive chemicals present in sal tree may aid in cleansing wounds, and it might accelerate wound healing and contraction⁴. This effect of sal tree compounds need further studies to validate the claim.

2. Potential Uses of Sal for Treating Stomach Problems

• Ulcers: The anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties of the sal tree might be beneficial in treating ulcers such as peptic ulcers⁵. The studies may seem to be insufficient to validate the extent to which it can benefit human health.
• Diarrhoea: Sal tree’s antibacterial and anti-diarrhoeal qualities may be used to remove bacteria that cause diarrhoea and other intestinal ailments from the intestines. Sal tree may help to reduce the frequency of stools⁶. Consult a doctor for proper advice.
• Indigestion: Due to its carminative and digestive properties, the sal tree may be very beneficial for all digestive problems. The anti-flatulent function reduces flatulence and bloating, preventing gas from forming in the alimentary canal further studies are needed to add scientific evidence for this effect of sal tree².  

3. Benefits of Sal in Reducing Pain and Inflammation

Sal tree’s bioactive components may have potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, which may provide relief from pain and inflammation⁷.  However, the actual benefits of sal tree compounds in humans needs further studies to establish.

Did you know due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties present in sal tree (Shorea robusta Gaertn) bark, it might aid in the reduction of pain and swelling in arthritis and joint disorder¹¹.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

4. Benefits of Sal in Weight Loss

Sal tree may help to manage the weight of an obese person more quickly due to the presence of flavonoids, fibre and anti-obesity effects. The hydro-alcoholic leaves extract of the sal tree may be a potential drug that can help maintain healthy body weight by potentially showing some effect on the disturbed lipid profile⁸. Consult your doctor or nutritionist before adding anything in your diet for weight loss benefits.

Also Read: 10 Home Remedies for Weight Loss

5. Benefits of Sal in Treating Respiratory Problems

Sal tree may be beneficial for respiratory disorders because of its significant anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It may often used to treat cough². However, further studies may be needed to further establish this benefit of sal tree.

6. Benefits of Sal in Boosting Immunity

The sal tree’s antioxidant properties help enhance the immune system, combat germs and protect the body from numerous illnesses. It also exhibits powerful antibacterial properties^2,3,9.

Though there are studies that show the benefits of sal tree in various conditions, but these are insufficient and there is a need of further studies to establish the true extent of benefits of sal tree on human health.    

In Udala (Mayurbhanj), the stems of the Sal tree (Shorea robusta Gaertn) are sold as toothbrushes. The tender and soft twigs are ideal as toothbrushes as they might have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in the oral cavity and might aid in maintaining oral health¹².

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

How to Use Sal Tree?

Various parts of the sal tree can be used. Your doctor will prescribe you the appropriate form based on your individual need. 

• Sal tree powder 
• Sal leaves  
• Sal bark paste  
• Sal tree bark decoction 
• Sal tree seed oil 
• Sal tree resin 
• Sal tree wood¹⁰ 

You must consult a qualified doctor before taking any herbal supplements. Do not discontinue or replace an ongoing treatment of modern medicine with an Ayurvedic/herbal preparation without consulting a qualified doctor.  

Also Read: Jatamansi – Uses, Benefits & Precautions

Conclusion

Sal tree (Shorea robusta Gaertn.) has been used for hundreds of years in traditional and Ayurvedic medicine. It may help with wound healing, stomach problems, pain, weight management, breathing issues, and boosting immunity. Different parts of the tree, such as its bark, leaves, resin, and seed oil, have been used as natural remedies across India, Nepal, and Bhutan. However, more research is still needed to fully confirm these benefits in humans. It is always best to talk to a doctor before using any sal tree-based product and to never stop or replace your current medical treatment without proper medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. Marandi RR, Britto SJ, Soreng PK. Phytochemical profiling, antibacterial screening and antioxidant properties of the sacred tree (Shorea robusta gaertn.) of Jharkhand. Int J Pharm Sci Res. 2016 Jul 1;7(7):2874. https://ijpsr.com/bft-article/phytochemical-profiling-antibacterial-screening-and-antioxidant-properties-of-the-sacred-tree-shorea-robusta-gaertn-of-jharkhand/  
2. Soni RK, Dixit V, Irchhaiya R, et al. A review update on Shorea robusta Gaertn f. (Sal). J Drug Delivery Ther. 2013; 3(6): 127-132. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/7e4d/8678ab350b4bbe017402517a99ade25fb3d3.pdf 
3. Merish S, Tamizhamuthu M, Thomas M, et al. Review of Shorea robusta with special reference to Traditional Siddha Medicine. RRJPP, 2 (1) 2014. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260438576_Review_of_Shorea_robusta_with_special_reference_to_Traditional_Siddha_Medicine  
4. Wani TA, Chandrashekara HH, Kumar D, et al. Wound healing activity of ethanolic extract of Shorea robusta Gaertn, f. resin. Ind J Exp Biol 2012; 50: 277-281. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22611916/
5. Muthu S, Nagarajan A, Palanisamy B. Antiulcerogenic effect of resin from Shorea robusta Gaertn. f. on experimentally induced ulcer models. Int J Pharm Pharm Sci 2013; 5(1): 269-272. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257207488_Antiulcerogenic_effect_of_resin_from_Shorea_robusta_Gaertn_F_on_experimentally_induced_ulcer_models 
6. Murthy KSR, Lakshmi N, Ramulu DR. Biological activity and phytochemical screening of the oleoresin of Shorea robusta Gaertn. f. Trop Subtrop Agroeco 2011; 14: 787-791. http://www.scielo.org.mx/pdf/tsa/v14n3/v14n3a28.pdf.  
7. Wani TA, Kumar D, Prasad R, et al. Analgesic activity of the ethanolic extract of Shorea robusta resin in experimental animals. Indian J pharmacol 2012; 44: 493-499. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3469954/
8. Supriya K, Kotagiri S, Swamy VBM, et al. Anti-Obesity activity of Shorea robusta G. leaves extract on monosodium glutamate induced obesity in albino rats. Res J Pharma Biol Chem Sci 2012; 3(3): 555-565. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286204259_Antiobesity_activity_of_shorea_Robusta_G_leaves_extract_on_monosodium_glutamate_induced_obesity_in_albino_rats
9. Kalaiselvan A, Gokulakrishnan K. Bark extract of Shorea robusta on modulation of immune response in rats. Int J Recent Scienti Res 2012; 3(8): 693 -697. http://recentscientific.com/sites/default/files/Download_261.pdf 
10. Sandeep Rout. Sal (Shorea robusta): a timber tree species. Annual report-newsletter 2019-2020. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/345181207_Sal_Shorea_robusta_a_timber_tree_species
11. Singh PA, Brindavanam NB, Kimothi GP, Aeri V. Evaluation of in vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of Dillenia indica f. elongata (Miq.) Miq. and Shorea robusta stem bark extracts. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease. 2016;6(1):75–81. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2222180815609884
12. Bose U, Gunasekaran K, Bala V, Rahman AA. Evaluation of phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Dillenia indica Linn. Leaves. International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Natural Research. 2013;4(4):419–424. https://nopr.niscpr.res.in/bitstream/123456789/26042/1/IJNPR%204%284%29%20419-424.pdf

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