Sal Tree – Uses, Benefits & More!
By Dr Anuja Bodhare +2 more
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By Dr Anuja Bodhare +2 more
Table of Contents
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 Pradesh.2
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 wings.1
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 centuries.2
There are as follows:
The bioactive chemicals present in sal tree may aid in cleansing wounds, and it might accelerate wound healing and contraction.4 This effect of sal tree compounds need further studies to validate the claim.
The anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties of the sal tree might be beneficial in treating ulcers such as peptic ulcers.5 The studies may seem to be insufficient to validate the extent to which it can benefit human health.
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 stools.6 Consult a doctor for proper advice.
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 tree.2
Sal tree’s bioactive components may have potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, which may provide relief from pain and inflammation.7 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 disorder.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)
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 profile.8 Consult your doctor or nutritionist before adding anything in your diet for weight loss benefits.
Also Read: 10 Home Remedies for Weight Loss
Sal tree may be beneficial for respiratory disorders because of its significant anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It may often used to treat cough.2 However, further studies may be needed to further establish this benefit of sal tree.
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 health.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
Also Read: Nutmeg – Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & Precautions
Various parts of the sal tree can be used. Your doctor will prescribe you the appropriate form based on your individual need.
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
Steroids, ursolic acid, shoreaphenol, terpenoids, α-amyrenone, hopeaphenol, and friedelin are chemical constituents of the sal tree.2
Sal is widely distributed in India, Bhutan and Nepal. In India, the species is distributed from Himachal Pradesh to Assam, Tripura, West Bengal, Orissa and Bihar and, eastern districts of Madhya Pradesh. It is also found in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh.2
Sal may relieve pain due to its antinociceptive (effictive in reducing pain) and anti-inflammatory properties.7 You must consult your doctor for advice on the benefits of any herb for pain.
The components of the sal tree, ursolic acid and amyrin, may have gastroprotective effects. It may protect the stomach mucosa by acting as an antioxidant, stimulating mucus synthesis or maintaining prostaglandin contents of gastric mucosa at higher levels.5 You must consult a doctor for serious medical conditions before consuming herbs for its benefits.
The resin from the sal tree may help relieve pain due to its analgesic property.7 However, you are advised to talk to a doctor and follow their advice if you are suffering from any burns or injuries.
Also Read: Multani Mitti – Uses & Benefits
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22611916/
http://www.scielo.org.mx/pdf/tsa/v14n3/v14n3a28.pdf
http://recentscientific.com/sites/default/files/Download_261.pdf
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/345181207_Sal_Shorea_robusta_a_timber_tree_species
Also Read: Wheatgrass – Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & Precautions
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