Butea Monosperma (Palasa)

Palasa is one of the sacred trees worshipped in India. In Sanskrit, Palasa is known as Kimshuka, Brahmavriksha. Kimshuka in Sanskrit means "like a parrot" or "what brightness!" The vernacular names of Palasa are: In Kannada (Muthuga), Telegu (Modaga chettu), Hindi (Palasa, Kankrei Chichra tesu, desuka jhad, dhaak, palaash, chalcha), Gujarati (Kesudo), Punjabi (Keshu, Chachra, Sanura), Malayalam (Plasu Shamata, Muriku), Marathi (PaLaash), Urdu (Palashpapra), Bengali (Kinshuk, Polash, Polashi), Assamese(Porasum), Tamil (Parasu, Mullumurugai, Kaliyanamurukkan). The Botanical name is Butea Monosperma and it belongs to the family of Fabaceae. Some of the English names of Palasa are: Flame of the forest, Bastard Teak and Parrot tree.

Description of the Tree:

1.Native to: India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and other parts of Southeast Asia.

2.Habitat: Grows in plains, slopes, and temple areas, especially in southern India.

3.Height: Grows up to 10–15 meters tall.

4.Leaves:

  1.Pinnate with three large leaflets.

  2.Young leaves: soft, velvety, pale bronze-green.

  3.Mature leaves: leathery and hairy underneath.

5.Flowers:

  1.Bright orange-red, bloom in spring.

  2.Look like flames covering the tree — hence the name Flame of the Forest.

  3.Beak-shaped flowers look like a parrot’s beak, giving the name Parrot Tree.

 

Medicinal Properties:

All parts of the tree—leaves, bark, flowers, seeds, gum, and roots—are used in traditional medicine.

General Uses:

1.Acts as a tonic, astringent, aphrodisiac, and diuretic.

2.Useful for kapha and vata doshas.

3.Not suitable for pitta dosha (can worsen bile-related issues).

 

Part-wise Medicinal Uses:

1.Gum (Bengal Kino):

Astringent, anti-diarrhoeal.

Treats piles, urinary infections, ulcers, and wounds.

Strengthens sperm and supports conception.Helpful for mouth/throat ulcers.

2. Leaves:

Antibacterial.

Used for worms, dysentery, ulcers, pimples, and diabetes.

Treats colic pain and amenorrhea.

Helps heal wounds and skin boils.

Can reduce blood sugar levels.

Acts as a slow contraceptive when taken with milk.

3. Bark:

Treats bleeding piles, ulcers, gonorrhea, diabetes, and menstrual issues.

Good for coughs, colds, and headaches when boiled in water.

4. Seeds:

Contains enzymes helpful for digestion and skin diseases.

Treats ringworm, eczema, and intestinal worms.

Acts as a natural contraceptive.

Used for piles, constipation, and skin problems.

Relieves pain from scorpion stings.

5. Flowers:

Diuretic and astringent.

Treats fever, leprosy, skin diseases, eye infections, and diabetes.

Helps heal fractures.

Powdered form with milk and sugar helps treat water retention (oedema).

6. Roots:

Used to treat tuberculosis and dog bites.

Helps in sexual weakness when mixed with honey and rock sugar.

 

Other Uses:

1.Leaves: Made into eco-friendly plates and bowls.

2.Gum: Used in leather tanning and cooking in some regions.

3.Flowers: Natural dye for Holi; also used to dye clothes.

4.Mosquito Repellent: Traps mosquitoes attracted to its flowers.

5.Fertilizer: Ash from bark mixed with cow dung for rice fields.

6.Wood: Used for paper (newsprint), cheap boards, and boat-making.

7.Fiber: Rope and string making, boat caulking.

8.Air Purifier: Reduces air dust by 75%. Releases water vapor, cooling the air.