Sal also known as Shorea robusta, is an imperative nontimber forest product that spreads across 10 million in India covering almost 14% of the total forest area of the country. It has an eminent role in the economics of some Indian states i.e. Jharkhand, Orissa, and Madhya Pradesh. Sal is a deciduous tree that measures 50 meters high with a stem circumference up to 5 m. In normal conditions, it attains a height of 18 to 32 meters with 1.5 to 2 meters girth. The stem is clean, cylindrical, and straight with epimoric branches. The bark is dark brown. It requires an average temperature of 22-47ᴼC for growth. It requires a mean annual rainfall of around 3000 mm and a maximum of 6600 mm. It prefers deep, moist, slightly acid, well-drained, and sandy to clayey soils. Leaves are delicate green, reddish, shiny, simple, and about 10-25 cm long. Leaves are broadly oval at the base with apex tapering into long points. Flowers are yellowish to white arranged in large terminal or axillary racemose panicles. Fruit is 1.3-1.5 cm long and 1 cm in diameter surrounded by segments of calyx which is enlarged by five unequal wings about 5 to 7.5 cm long. Seeds are brown with calyx and wings.
Leaves are used for treating ulcers, wounds, leprosy, itching, earache, cough, and headache. The bark when cut exudes oleoresin that has astringent and detergent properties. Resin is used to treat menorrhagia, eye irritations, and spleen enlargement. Powdered bark, stem, or bark paste is used to halt bleeding and promote the healing of cuts.
Distribution
It is endemic to the Indian subcontinent that ranges south of the Himalayas from Myanmar in the East to Nepal, Bangladesh, and India. It extends from Assam, Odisha, Bengal, and Jharkhand west to Shivalik Hills in Haryana in India. It also extends through the Eastern Ghats and to the eastern Vindhya and Satpura ranges of Central India. In Nepal, it is found in the Terai region from east to west in Sivalik Hilla in a subtropical climate. In Northern India, it is found in Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand.
Health Benefits of Sal Tree
- Wound healing
Sal tree sap is used for treating agonizing swelling. It has rala which acts as effective astringent and anti-microbial properties. Rala cleanses wounds and facilitates the healing of wounds.
- Acts as astringent
The tree has astringent properties which are found to be helpful for treating dysentery and diarrhea. Tree extracts are considered to be strong astringent agents. It is beneficial for those suffering from diarrhea.
- Skin health
Sal tree possesses astringent properties which is an ingredient in herbal ointments for skin problems and ear ailments. Various shorea ointments are available in the market for skin ailments. Moreover, it nourishes the skin is rich in essential vitamins and minerals. It is a smart choice to get radiant skin naturally without artificial methods.
- Therapeutic properties
Sal tree has effective therapeutic properties which are beneficial for maintaining overall health. It has therapeutic properties from oleoresin that contains triterpenoids, the derivatives of ursolic, triterpene, and oleanane acid.
- Healthy hair
Sal tree extracts have astringent properties which are beneficial for maintaining skin care and hair care. It cleanses the hair as well as the skin.
- Treatment for piles
It is commonly used in Ayurveda, Unani and tribal systems of medicine. It is effective to halt bleeding piles and also provides relief to the patients experiencing piles.
- Helpful for arthritis
The resin obtained from sal tree bark is helpful in providing relief from arthritis. Mix a few grams of resin with egg whites and apply this paste to the affected portion. It provides relief from joint pain caused due to arthritis.
- Antibacterial properties
It possesses antibacterial properties that eliminate germs and bacteria. The herbal cream prepared from the leaves of Shorea is helpful to speed up the healing process.
- Treat infections
Shorea robusta has antioxidants that exterminate infections in the body. It has antioxidants that neutralize infections. It promotes infection combating capabilities of the body resulting in sooner recovery from infections.
- Strengthen immunity
Shorea robusta helps to promote immunity of the body. This herb is beneficial for those who wish to promote the immunity level of the body. It is incredible to maintain overall health.
- Supports digestion
The properties are available in the herb help in proper digestion. It assists the body to cure digestion-associated problems easily. It has so many healthy features that help to improve health.
- Ear infections
The herb has essential nutrients and medicinal properties which is crucial for ear health. Try shorea robusta if experiencing an ear infection.
Medicinal uses
- Bark and leaves are helpful for ulcers, wounds, cough, leprosy, earache, gonorrhea, and headache.
- Use the bark for dysentery, diarrhea, and vaginal discharges.
- Fruits are used for seminal weakness, tubercular ulcers, dermopathy, and burning sensation.
- Use it in vitiated conditions of pitta, ulcers, wounds, burns, neuralgia, fever, dysentery, diarrhea, obesity, splenomegaly, obesity, and eyes burning.
- It is used with sugar or honey for treating dysentery and bleeding piles in Ayurveda.
- Use it for gonorrhea and weak digestion.
- Apply the bark decoction as drops for ear problems and fruits for diarrhea
- Mix it with boiled milk and use it as a cure for cough, bronchitis, piles, and leucorrhoea.
- Resin is used for treating gonorrhea, dysentery, toothache, and boils.
- Use the leaf juice for treating dysentery.
- Use the leaves as a poultice on the swollen areas of the body.
- Apply it to children’s stomachs to treat dysentery.
- Seed oil is used for treating skin problems.
- Take the gum resin internally for bloody diarrhea, uteral discharges, and bleeding piles
- The gum resin is also applied on skin eruptions, infected wounds, and ulcers.
- Take the bark tea orally for five days to treat typhoid.
- It is also used as a foot care cream.
- Fruits are used for treating epilepsy, excessive salivation, and chlorosis.
- Use the seeds powder for treating dental problems.
Culinary uses
- Seeds are boiled, roasted or grounded into flour.
- Make porridge by boiling seeds with fruits of Dolichos biflorus and flowers of Bassia latifolia.
- The grounded flour is used for making bread.
- Seeds are used to extract oil.
- The seed oil is used as a substitute for cocoa butter in making chocolates.
Medicinal uses
- Analgesic (resin): Relieve pain.
- Anti-inflammatory (leaves decoction): Lowers inflammation
- Antipyretic (resin): Effective for fever.
- Anti-nociceptive (leaves): Inhibits nociception, the sensation of pain
- Antiulcer (resin): Tending to prevent or heal ulcers
- Anti–Obesity (leaves): Reduces obesity
- Immunomodulatory (bark): Modifies the immune response or the functioning of the immune system.
- Wound healing: Heals the wound.
Dosage
- Powder: 3-5 grams
- Decoction: 50-100 ml
- Gum-resin: 1-3 grams
Side effects
- Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should consult the doctor for use.
- Avoid its use if experience any allergic reactions.
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