Palash Tree – Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & More!

Introduction

Palash Tree is a beautiful medicinal plant with a wide range of applications. Palash is the common name for it. It is commonly found in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Western Indonesia, and Myanmar.¹ It is famously called the Flame of the Forest and belongs to the Fabaceae family. Palas, palash, mutthuga, bijasneha, dhak, khakara, and chichra are other local names for this plant that is commonly found in Indian forests.

It grows in flooded areas, saline and alkaline soil, black cotton soil, and barren lands too. It grows up to 10-15 meters in height, with uneven branches and a crooked trunk. The branches are ash-colored. The leaves have three leaflets. The flowers are bright orange-red in color and can be spotted even from afar like a flame burning amidst the green and browns of a forest, earning it the title Flame of the Forest.  

Owing to its powerful pharmacological properties, this plant is extremely important.¹ Palash contains alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, amino acids, glycosides, resin, saponin, and steroids, among other phytoconstituents. Gallic and tannic acids are abundant in the red gum produced from the stem. Palash flowers contain seven flavonoid glucosides (Butrin, lsoobutrin, monospermoside, isomonospermide, coreopsin, Isocoreopsin, sulphurein).³  

Properties of Palash Tree:

All parts of palash plant are potentially beneficial for health due to their properties. Several beneficial properties of palash tree are as follows:  

• It may show diuretic properties
• It might exhibit antimicrobial activity 
• it may be Chemoprotective (protect against harmful effects of cancer treatment) activity² 
• It may show anthelmintic (against parasitic worms) properties 
• It help with antidiabetic properties 
• It might have antidiarrheal activity 
• It may have anticonvulsive (helpful for seizers) activity
• I may have helpful hepatoprotective (liver protecting) activity 
• It may also show stress-relieving properties³ 
• It might have anti-ulcer activity³ 
• It may also beneficial properties for wound healing³ 
• It may have bone-protective property³ 
• It may show anti-inflammatory activity³ 
• The antioxidant property of the plant may have several benefits

Did you know the Palash tree might aid in cancer? Other than its antioxidant and antimicrobial nature, the Palash tree is believed to have anti-cancer nature as well which might be helpful in cancer.

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

Potential Uses of Palash Tree:

Palash trees are recognized for their vibrant colors. It consists of several beneficial compounds that may contribute to its beneficial properties and potential uses such as:

1. Potential Uses of Palash Tree for Diabetes

Powder of palash tree seeds showed antihyperglycemic effects in studies. It might reduce blood sugar levels by improving glucose tolerance and regulation of excessive blood sugar levels.^2,3 However, serious conditions like diabetes must be diagnosed and treated by a doctor. Therefore, kindly consult a doctor and do not self-medicate.

2. Potential Uses of Palash Tree for Intestinal Worms

The seeds of palash tree have anthelmintic properties. It can be useful in removing parasitic worms from the digestive tract.¹ However there is not enough research and scientific evidence to support this effect of palash tree.

Also Read: Intestinal Worms – Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

3. Potential Uses of Palash Tree for Diarrhoea

The bark from the stem of palash tree possesses antidiarrheal activity. It does this by decreasing gastrointestinal motility.¹ It is better to get expert advice from a qualified doctor for digestive disorders.

4. Potential Uses of Palash Tree for Liver Disorders

The flowers of palash tree might exhibit liver protective activity as they decrease the levels of serum alanine phosphatase and alkaline transaminase. The two flavonoids, butrin and isobutrin, found in palash may potentially have some benefit for liver against toxicity.¹ This property of palash tree flowers need further studies to know the extent to which it can benefit humans. You must consult a doctor before consuming any herb for its benefits for liver.

Also Read: Masoor Dal – Uses, Benefits & Nutritional Value

5. Potential Uses of Palash Tree for Kidney Stones

Palash tree seed powder may be beneficial in lowering the risk of kidney stones by potentially reducing the growth and number of calcium oxalate stone deposits in the kidney.5 Since the studies and evidence available here is insufficient, you must consult a doctor and consume any herb only under their supervision.

Also Read: 8 Home Remedies for Kidney Stones

6. Potential Uses of Palash Tree for Wound Healing

The bark of palash tree might help in expediting wound healing by enhancing the rate of collagen synthesis and cellular proliferation at the site of infection.³ 

Also Read: Sal Tree – Uses & Benefits

Other Potential Uses of Palash Tree

Several other uses of different parts of the Palash tree are as follows:

• Palash flowers may be used to help with gout and skin ailments. They are known to have astringent, diuretic, and tonic properties. 
• Palash stem bark might be used in traditional medicine systems to treat dyspepsia, diarrhea, ulcers, sore throat, and snakebite. 
• The Palash wood pulp may be used to treat liver problems, gonorrhea, wound infections, night blindness, and snakebite treatment.
• Inflammation, skin and eye problems, piles, kidney stones, intestinal worms, and tumors might be benefitted by palash seed.²
• The leaves of the palash tree have demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity in eye inflammation in studies.⁶  
• The leaves of the palash tree might stimulate a nonspecific immune response. Hence, they could be useful for parasitic infections.
• Palash tree root distillate, which may be used as eye drops, helps in the treatment of cataracts by improving visual acuity and vision quality under the doctor’s supervision.⁸ 
• The palas tree might boost white blood cells that engulf the parasites, thereby potentially removing them.⁷ 

Also Read: Stone Flower – Uses, Benefits & Side Effects

Although studies show the benefits of palash trees in different health conditions, this information is insufficient. Hence, there is a need for further studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of palash trees on human health. Furthermore, every person may respond differently to these herbs. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor before using palash tree for any medical condition.

Unveiling the potential of Palash Tree in breast cancer treatment. The extracts of the Palash tree may aid in the management of breast cancer due to its anti-oestrogenic properties.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

How to Use Palash Tree?

The palash tree is available in different forms. Your doctor will prescribe you the appropriate form based on your individual needs. 

• Palash bark decoction⁹ 
• Palash leaf juice⁹ 
• Palash gum⁹ 
• Palash flower powder⁹ 
• Palash seed powder⁹  
• Palash churna¹⁰ 

You must consult a qualified doctor before taking palash tree or 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: Gokshura – Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & Precautions

Precautions to Take with Pash Tree:

It is essential to follow these precautions when using palash tree and its parts for the following conditions:    

• Allergies-  Some individuals might be allergic to palash trees. You must stop using palash tree and its components if you develop allergic reactions like swelling, rashes, etc.    
• Pregnancy-  There is not much scientific evidence to prove whether palash trees can be consumed by pregnant women. Thus, it is better to avoid it during pregnancy.  
• Children and Elderly-  It must be given to children and the elderly under the supervision of a qualified doctor.

Also Read: Wheatgrass – Uses, Benefits & Side Effects

Interactions with Other Drugs:

Ayurvedic preparation can interact with your ongoing medications. Ayurvedic physician’s advice is to be followed thoroughly, as their prescription is based on keeping your health condition in mind. Please ensure to disclose all medications prescribed and currently being used to your doctor at the time of consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References:

1. Gupta A, Singh S, Gaur K, et al. A Review on pharmacognostic study of Butea monosperma. Int J Res Ayu Pharm. 8 (Suppl 2), 2017; 196-199. http://www.ijrap.net/admin/php/uploads/1800_pdf.pdf 
2. Rana F, Avijit M. Review on Butea monosperma. Int J Res Pharm Chem. 2012; 2(4): 1035-1039. http://www.ijrpc.com/files/19-2180.pdf 
3. Tiwari P, Jena S, Sahu PK. Butea monosperma: Phytochemistry and Pharmacology. Acta Scietific Pharml Sci. 2019;3(4):19-26. https://www.actascientific.com/ASPS/pdf/ASPS-03-0228.pdf
4. Deshmukh CK, Bhagat SK. Effect of Butea monosperma on Reproductive Organs, Sperm Count and Testosterone of Male Albino Rat, Rattus Rattus (Wistar). Biological forum- An Int J. 2015; 7(1): 1659-1663. https://www.researchtrend.net/bfij/bf12/263%20C.K.%20DESHMUKH.pdf
5. Sikandari S, Ahmed ML, Mathad P. Antilithiatic Influence of Butea monosperma Lam and Nigella sativa Linn on Ethylene Glycol-Induced Nephrolithiasis in Rats. Int J Sci Re Pub. 2015; 5(9): http://www.ijsrp.org/research-paper-0915/ijsrp-p4595.pdf 
6. Sathish R, Kumar PS, Natarajan K, et al. Hepatoprotective and Anti Pyretic Activities of Methanolic Extract of Butea Monosperma Lam Stem Bark in Wister Rats. Asian J Pharm Res. 2011;1(4):130-133. https://asianjpr.com/HTMLPaper.aspx Journal=Asian+Journal+of+Pharmaceutical+Research%3bPID%3d2011-1-4-10
7. Minaxi A, Brinda S, Gitika D, et al. Evaluation of Butea monosperma as an immunomodulatory agent. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2015 Jun 2:1159-62. https://wjpsonline.com/index.php/wjps/article/view/evaluation-butea-monosperma-immunomodulatory-agent/1004
8. Srikanth N, Dua M, Bikshapathi. Beautia monosperma root distillate eye drops (Palasha moola arka) in age related immature cataract: A clinical observation. JRAS.2006;27(1-2):12-23. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/215559558_BUTEA_MONOSPERMA_ROOT_DISTILLATE_EYE_DROPS_PALASHA_MOOLA_ARKA_IN_AGE_RELATED_IMMATURE_CATARACT_A_CLINICAL_OBSERVATION
9. Prasad PV, Subhaktha PK, Narayana A, Rao MM. Palăśa (Butea monosperma (Lamk.) Taub.) and its medico-historical study. Bulletin of the Indian Institute of History of Medicine (Hyderabad). 2006; 36(2):117-128. http://www.ccras.nic.in/sites/default/files/viewpdf/jimh/BIIHM_2006/117%20to%20128.pdf 
10. Wanjari P, Meena D, Sun D. Literature review of Palash (Butea Monosperma Lamk. Taub). Int Ayu Med J. 2016; 1(1) 101-106 http://www.iamj.in/prposts/2016/images/upload/101_106.pdf 

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