Sal Tree
Sal Tree
Sal is believed to be the “House of Tribal Goddess” and is valued as a holy tree. It has religious, medicinal as well as commercial significance and its wood is used in the furniture industry.
Sal is generally used to prevent diarrhea and dysentery due to its astringent property. It also reduces swelling and controls bleeding due to its analgesic and astringent properties.
According to Ayurveda, taking Sal tree powder along with honey helps in managing female disorders like metrorrhagia (bleeding at irregular intervals) and leucorrhoea (white discharge from the vagina) due to its Sita (cold) and Kashaya (astringent) properties. It also helps in managing joint pain and arthritis by reducing the pain and inflammation due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Sal tree resin promotes wound healing and skin problems like excessive oiliness, itching, rashes etc. due to its astringent and antimicrobial properties. Sal leaves paste along with honey can be applied on the skin to reduce marks and scars. Treating wounds with a paste of Sal resin powder and honey helps to speed up wound healing.
Some people may show sensitivity towards Sal tree resin and may develop rashes. So it is advisable to use it with any carrier oil like coconut or sesame oil[2-5].
Sal is generally used to prevent diarrhea and dysentery due to its astringent property. It also reduces swelling and controls bleeding due to its analgesic and astringent properties.
According to Ayurveda, taking Sal tree powder along with honey helps in managing female disorders like metrorrhagia (bleeding at irregular intervals) and leucorrhoea (white discharge from the vagina) due to its Sita (cold) and Kashaya (astringent) properties. It also helps in managing joint pain and arthritis by reducing the pain and inflammation due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Sal tree resin promotes wound healing and skin problems like excessive oiliness, itching, rashes etc. due to its astringent and antimicrobial properties. Sal leaves paste along with honey can be applied on the skin to reduce marks and scars. Treating wounds with a paste of Sal resin powder and honey helps to speed up wound healing.
Some people may show sensitivity towards Sal tree resin and may develop rashes. So it is advisable to use it with any carrier oil like coconut or sesame oil[2-5].
What are the synonyms of Sal Tree?
Shorea robusta, Shaalgaach, Shaal tree, Shaalvriksh, Saal, Sakhuaa, Saakhu, Kabba, Saalvriksham, Mulappumarutu, Raalechaavriksha, Salva, Shaaluaagachha, Shala, Saalam, Guggilam, Awashkarn, Sarj, Shalasaar, Ral, Sagua, Salwa, Asina, Guggula, Kabba, Raala, Jalari chettu, Sarjamu, Gugal, Shalam, Kungiliyam, Attam, Sakhu, Shalgach, Talura, Sakab, Sakwa, Seral, Guggilu, Sajara, Rala, Ralacha vriksha, Maramaram, Common Shal, Indian dammer, Kaikahr, Lalemoabbari, Lalemohari, Saal
What is the source of Sal Tree?
Plant Based
Benefits of Sal Tree
1. Diarrhea and Dysentery
Sal tree resin helps to improve weak digestion and control dysentery and diarrhea due to its Kashaya (astringent) and Sita (cold) properties.
2. Bleeding
Sal tree resin helps to reduce swelling and control bleeding when taken orally due to its Ropan (healing) and Kashaya (astringent) properties.
3. Metrorrhagia and Leucorrhoea
Sal tree bark powder gíves excellent result in female disorders like metrorrhagia and leucorrhoea due to its Sita (cold) and Kashaya (astringent) properties.
4. Urinary tract infection
Sal tree resin helps to treat urinary tract infection and excessive urination due to its Kashaya (astringent) and Sita (cold) properties.
Sal tree resin helps to improve weak digestion and control dysentery and diarrhea due to its Kashaya (astringent) and Sita (cold) properties.
2. Bleeding
Sal tree resin helps to reduce swelling and control bleeding when taken orally due to its Ropan (healing) and Kashaya (astringent) properties.
3. Metrorrhagia and Leucorrhoea
Sal tree bark powder gíves excellent result in female disorders like metrorrhagia and leucorrhoea due to its Sita (cold) and Kashaya (astringent) properties.
4. Urinary tract infection
Sal tree resin helps to treat urinary tract infection and excessive urination due to its Kashaya (astringent) and Sita (cold) properties.
Precautions when using Sal Tree
Advice from Experts
Ayurvedic View
Sal tree powder may cause constipation and hardening of stools in some people.
Patients with diabetes
Modern Science View
Sal tree may lower the blood glucose level. So it is generally advised to monitor your blood sugar level while taking Sal tree products along with anti-diabetic drugs[6].
Recommended Dosage of Sal Tree
- Sal Tree Powder - ¼-½ teaspoon twice a day.
How to use Sal Tree
1. Sal tree (resin) Powder
a. Take ¼ to ½ teaspoon of Sal tree Powder.
b. Mix it with honey or take it with water after lunch and dinner.
2. Sal tree Kwath
a. Take 8 - 10 teaspoons of Sal Tree Kwath(decoction).
b. Add same quantity of water to it and drink 1-2 times a day after meals.
a. Take ¼ to ½ teaspoon of Sal tree Powder.
b. Mix it with honey or take it with water after lunch and dinner.
2. Sal tree Kwath
a. Take 8 - 10 teaspoons of Sal Tree Kwath(decoction).
b. Add same quantity of water to it and drink 1-2 times a day after meals.
Benefits of Sal Tree
1. Skin disorders
Sal tree helps to manage skin problems like excessive oiliness, itching and red rashes as a result of exposure to heat due to its Kashaya (astringent) and Sita (cold) properties.
2. Pain
Sal tree resin helps manage pain and swelling when applied externally on piles due to its Kashaya (astringent) nature.
3. Wound healing
Sal tree helps promote quick healing of wound when applied on ulcers, infected wounds and skin eruptions due to its Ropan (healing) and Sita (cold) nature.
4. Burn
In case of burn injury, Sal tree resin is good to control burning sensation and increase wound healing because of its Kashaya (astringent) and Ropan properties.
Sal tree helps to manage skin problems like excessive oiliness, itching and red rashes as a result of exposure to heat due to its Kashaya (astringent) and Sita (cold) properties.
2. Pain
Sal tree resin helps manage pain and swelling when applied externally on piles due to its Kashaya (astringent) nature.
3. Wound healing
Sal tree helps promote quick healing of wound when applied on ulcers, infected wounds and skin eruptions due to its Ropan (healing) and Sita (cold) nature.
4. Burn
In case of burn injury, Sal tree resin is good to control burning sensation and increase wound healing because of its Kashaya (astringent) and Ropan properties.
Precautions when using Sal Tree
Allergy
Ayurvedic View
Use Sal tree bark, resin or leaves paste with honey or rose water if your skin is hypersensitive.
Recommended Dosage of Sal Tree
- Sal Tree Powder - ½-1 teaspoon or as per your requirement
How to use Sal Tree
1. Sal Leaves or Bark Paste with Rose water
a. Take 1-2 Sal leaves and grind it to make a paste.
b. Add rose water to it and apply on the skin.
c. Wait for 5-7 minutes.
d. Wash thoroughly with plain water.
e. Use this remedy 2-3 times a week to reduce marks and scars.
2. Sal tree Resin with Honey
a. Take ¼-½ teaspoon of Sal tree resin.
b. Mix honey and apply on the open wound.
c. Repeat it 1-2 times a day for faster wound healing.
a. Take 1-2 Sal leaves and grind it to make a paste.
b. Add rose water to it and apply on the skin.
c. Wait for 5-7 minutes.
d. Wash thoroughly with plain water.
e. Use this remedy 2-3 times a week to reduce marks and scars.
2. Sal tree Resin with Honey
a. Take ¼-½ teaspoon of Sal tree resin.
b. Mix honey and apply on the open wound.
c. Repeat it 1-2 times a day for faster wound healing.
Frequently asked questions
Modern Science View
The chemical constituents which give Sal its therapeutic benefits are steroids, terpenoids bergenin, shoreaphenol, chalcone, ursolic acid, α-amyrenone, hopeaphenol and friedelin[4][5].
Modern Science View
Sal tree wood is mainly used in construction and furniture industry. It is used for making door frames, windows, furniture items etc.
Modern Science View
Yes, Sal tree possesses gastroprotective property because of the constituents like ursolic acid and amyrin. Animal studies suggest that Sal inhibits the gastric mucosal damage by acting as an antioxidant and by decreasing the level of gastric acid, gastric enzymes and gastric proteins[8].
Ayurvedic View
Sal tree helps manage gastric ulcer due to its Kashaya (astringent) and Ropan (healing) properties. It protects the gastric mucosal layer by decreasing the level of gastric acid.
Modern Science View
Yes, Sal tree is known to have anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity. Sal works at both central and peripheral levels to reduce painful conditions including post surgical pain[8][11].
Ayurvedic View
Sal tree has Sita (cold) and Kashya properties and provides cooling and healing effect in case of peptic ulcers when taken orally.
Modern Science View
Yes, Sal might be used for managing ear problems like earache due to its analgesic property which helps to manage pain related to various ear problems.
Tip: A decoction (Kwath) made from Sal tree bark can be used as ear drops for earache[11].
Tip: A decoction (Kwath) made from Sal tree bark can be used as ear drops for earache[11].
Ayurvedic View
Yes, Sal is found to be useful to manage ear problems but it is advisable to use it under medical supervision. It helps to control ear discharge due to its Kashaya (astringent) property.
Modern Science View
Yes, Sal might improve sexual potency as it has an aphrodisiac property which increases sexual desire as well as sexual performance in men[15][16].
Modern Science View
Enough scientific evidence is not available to support the role of Sal in anaemia.
Modern Science View
Enough scientific evidence is not available to support the role of Sal in polyuria.
Modern Science View
Yes, Sal tree accelerates wound healing when applied to the wounds by increasing collagen synthesis. Bergenin and ursolic acid are the main constituents that contribute to the wound healing property of Sal tree. Sal tree also has anti inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that aid wound healing[8][9].
Modern Science View
Yes, Sal when applied to cracked heels is quite beneficial in reducing cracks and symptoms like scaling, itching, wrinkles, pain, pigmentation and laxity of skin[10].
Modern Science View
The resin of Sal tree might cause skin rashes if your skin is hypersensitive. So use with any oil like coconut or sesame oil.
Modern Science View
Although enough scientific evidence is not available to support the role of Sal in fracture healing; however it had traditionally been used in fracture healing[12].
Ayurvedic View
Yes, Sal is useful in fracture healing when applied on the affected area due to its Ropan (healing) property.
Modern Science View
Although enough scientific evidence is not available to support the role of Sal in relieving pain caused due to burns. However, the resin from Sal tree might help relieve pain due to its analgesic property[11][13].
Ayurvedic View
Yes, Sal might provide relief from pain caused due to burns because of its Kashaya(astringent) and Ropan(healing) property. These properties help to pacify the pain and burning sensation when applied to the affected area.
Modern Science View
Sal tree might help manage pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. It contains certain constituents( alkaloids, triterpenes, phenols etc) which have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce pain and inflammation in joints[14].
References
- Balkrishnan A.Shaal.Ayurved Jadi Buti Rehsya. Danik Bhaskar.2017
- The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia Of India.Part 1 Volume 1.
- Pradhan R, Ghosh P, Rana S, et al.Shorea robusta (Dipterocarpaceae) seed and its oil as food. Int J Food Sci Nutr.2015;4(4):228-233.
- 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 2015;7(7):2874-88.
- Soni RK, Dixit V, Irchhaiya R, et al.A review update on shorea robusta gaertn f. (sal). Journal of Drug Delivery & Therapeutics.2013;3(6):127-132.
- Supriya KSK, Swamy VBM, Archana Swamy P, et al.Anti-obesity activity of Shorea robusta G. leaves extract on monosodium glutamate induced obesity in Albino rats. Res J Pharm Biol Chem Sci.2012;3(3):555-565.
- MZH Gazi , P Sharkar , MA Nayeem.et.al.Medicinal plants used by kabiraj of Forteen villages in jhenaidah district, Bangladesh.Global J Res. Med. Plants & Indigen. Med.2013;2(1):10-22.
- Soni RK, Dixit V, Irchhaiya R et al. A review update on Shorea robusta gaertn F. (Sal). Journal of Drug Delivery & Therapeutics.2013;3(6):127-132.
- Kon K, Rai M.Antibiotic Resistance Mechanisms and New Antimicrobial Approaches.Elsevier.2016.
- Sharma J, Gairola S, Sharma YP, et al. Ethnomedicinal plants used to treat skin diseases by Tharu community of district Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand, India. Journal of Ethnopharmacology.2014:140–206.
- 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(4):493–499.
- Soni RK, Dixit V, Irchhaiya R et al. A review update on Shorea robusta gaertn F. (Sal). Journal of Drug Delivery & Therapeutics.2013;3(6):127-132.
- .Adlakha MK, Bhargava AK, Kapoor, R., Sharma, L. N., & Singh, C. (2014). Ayurvedic medicinal plant-SHALA (SHOREA ROBUSTA) (A BIRD’S EYE VIEW). Innovare Journal of Ayurvedic Sciences, 2(4), 18-21.
- Jyothi G, Carey WM*, Ravi Kumar B, et al. Antinociceptive and Antiinflammatory Activity of Methanolic Extract of Leaves of Shorea Robusta. Pharmacologyonline.2008; 1(1): 9-19.
- Gupta RB, Ahuja A, Sharma N, et al. Indigenous Herbal Plants used by tribes of Rajasthan; Improving Sexual Performance and Problem of Sexuality.Int. J. Drug Dev. & Res.2013,5(2):40-46.
- 16. Singh R ,Singh S, Jeyabalan G, et al. An Overview on Traditional Medicinal Plants as Aphrodisiac Agent.Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry.2012;1(4):43-56.
Disclaimer
The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional.