Sakhua, Sal, Shala tree, Sal, Shorea robusta

Last updated: February 8, 2026Reviewed date: February 8, 2026Reading time: 10 min read
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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,...

For severe symptoms, danger signs, pregnancy, child illness, or sudden worsening, seek urgent medical care.

বাংলা রোগী নোট এখনো যোগ করা হয়নি। পোস্ট এডিটরে “RX Bangla Patient Mode” বক্স থেকে সহজ বাংলা সারাংশ যোগ করুন।

এই তথ্য শিক্ষা ও সচেতনতার জন্য। এটি ডাক্তারি পরীক্ষা, রোগ নির্ণয় বা প্রেসক্রিপশনের বিকল্প নয়।

Article Summary

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...

Key Takeaways

  • This article explains Sal Tree Scientific Classification in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Health Benefits of Sal Tree in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Medicinal uses in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Culinary uses in simple medical language.
Educational health guideWritten for patient understanding and clinical awareness.
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Definition

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.

Name Sal Tree
Scientific Name Shorea robusta
Native Indian subcontinent, ranging south of the Himalaya, from Myanmar in the east to Nepal, India and Bangladesh.
Common/English Name Sakhua, Sal, Shala tree
Name in Other Languages Arabic: Qanquahar;
Assamese: Sal;
Bengali: sakher, sal ( साल), sakhu, salwa;
Burmese: Enkhyen;
Chinese: Suo Luo Shuang, Suo Luo Shuang Shu;
English: common sal, sal seeds, indian dammer, sal tree, yellow balau;
French: Arbre, Balau Jaune, Sal, Dammar De Linde, Sal;
German: salharzbaum, salbaum;
Gujarati: Ral;
Hindi: Dhuna, Jall, Damar, Salwa, Sal, Shal;
India: Jall, salwa, sal, shal;
Japanese: Serangan Batsuu, Sara Noki, Shara Noki, serangan batsuu;
Malay: damar laut, selangan batu, bangkirai, selangan batu kumus;
Marathi: Guggilu, Rala;
Nepalese: sakhuvaa, sal, agrakh, sakwa, sakhua, sal;
Oriya: Sagua, Salwa, Sal, Sekwa;
Punjabi: Sal, Seral;
Russian: Sal, Shoreia Moshchnaia, Salovoe Derevo;
Sanskrit: Agnivallabha, Ashvakarnika, Ashvakarna, Dhanya, Chiraparna, Dirghaparna, Divyasara, Dirghashaka, Jaranadruma, Jaladashara, Kaushikahva, Lalana, Kushika, Latashankha, Rala, Latataru, Ralakarya, Salaniryas, Sala, Salaveshta, Sarjakarya, Sarja, Sarjarasa, Sarjjaka, Sasyasamvera, Sasyasambara, Shankurriksha, Shankataru, Shasyasambara, Shura. Sidhaka, Tarkshyapravasa, Sureshtaka, Vallivriksha, Vastakarna, Vansha, Yakshadhupa;
Sinhalese: Dammala;
Swedish: Sal-träd;
Urdu: ral, raal;
Tamil: Kungiliyam, Saruva rasam, Kungiligam, Gugglu, Kukkil;
Telugu: Guggilamu, Saluva, Gugal, Sarjmu;
Urdu: Ral;
Unani: Raal (resin);
Siddha: Kungilyam
Plant Growth Habit Evergreen tree
Soil Deep, well-drained,  moist,  slightly  acid,  sandy  to  clayey
Plant Size 50 m tall
Bole Straight and cylindrical
Bark Dark brown
Leaf Simple, shiny, glabrous, about 10-25 cm long
Flowering Season March–April
Flower Yellowish-white, small
Fruit shape & size Oval, 1.3-1.5 cm long and 1 cm in diameter
Fruit color Pale yellowish or green
Seed Oval, light brown

 

Sal Tree Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Shorea robusta

Rank Scientific Name & (Common Name)
Kingdom Plantae (Plants)
Subkingdom Viridiplantae  (Green plants)
Infrakingdom Streptophyta  (Land plants)
Superdivision Embryophyta
Division Tracheophyta  (Vascular plants, tracheophytes)
Class Magnoliopsida
Subclass Dilleniidae
Order Malvales
Family Dipterocarpaceae
Genus Shorea Roxb. ex C.F. Gaertn.
Species Shorea robusta C.F. Gaertn. (Sal tree)
Synonyms Dryobalanops robusta (Gaertn.fil.) Oken

Leaves are used for treating ulcers, wounds, leprosy, itching, earache, cough, and pain in the head or upper neck. সহজ বাংলা: মাথাব্যথা।" data-rx-term="headache" data-rx-definition="Headache means pain in the head or upper neck. সহজ বাংলা: মাথাব্যথা।">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

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. Helpful for pain, swelling, stiffness, or reduced movement. সহজ বাংলা: জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।" data-rx-term="arthritis" data-rx-definition="Arthritis means joint inflammation causing pain, swelling, stiffness, or reduced movement. সহজ বাংলা: জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।">arthritis

The resin obtained from sal tree bark is helpful in providing relief from pain, swelling, stiffness, or reduced movement. সহজ বাংলা: জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।" data-rx-term="arthritis" data-rx-definition="Arthritis means joint inflammation causing pain, swelling, stiffness, or reduced movement. সহজ বাংলা: জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।">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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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 pain in the head or upper neck. সহজ বাংলা: মাথাব্যথা।" data-rx-term="headache" data-rx-definition="Headache means pain in the head or upper neck. সহজ বাংলা: মাথাব্যথা।">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

  • pain-relieving medicine. সহজ বাংলা: ব্যথানাশক ওষুধ।" data-rx-term="analgesic" data-rx-definition="An analgesic is a pain-relieving medicine. সহজ বাংলা: ব্যথানাশক ওষুধ।">Analgesic (resin): Relieve pain.
  • infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।" data-rx-term="anti-inflammatory" data-rx-definition="Anti-inflammatory means reducing inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।">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.

 


References

Doctor visit helper

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A simple rural-patient checklist to help you explain symptoms clearly, ask better questions, and avoid unsafe self-treatment.

Safety note: This is not a prescription or diagnosis. For severe symptoms, pregnancy danger signs, children with serious illness, chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke-like weakness, or major injury, seek urgent care.

Which doctor may help?

Start with a registered doctor or the nearest qualified health center.

What to tell the doctor

  • Write when the problem started and how it changed.
  • Bring old prescriptions, investigation reports, and current medicines.
  • Write allergies, pregnancy status, diabetes, kidney/liver disease, and major past illnesses.
  • Bring one family member if the patient is weak, elderly, confused, or a child.

Questions to ask

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • Which danger signs mean I should go to hospital quickly?
  • Which tests are necessary now, and which can wait?
  • How should I take medicines safely and what side effects should I watch for?
  • When should I come for follow-up?

Tests to discuss

  • Vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation
  • Basic physical examination by a clinician
  • CBC, urine test, blood sugar, or imaging only when clinically needed

Avoid these mistakes

  • Do not use antibiotics, steroid tablets/injections, or strong painkillers without proper medical advice.
  • Do not hide pregnancy, kidney disease, ulcer, allergy, or blood thinner use.
  • Do not delay emergency care when danger signs are present.

Medicine safety and first-aid guide

This section is for patient education only. It does not replace a doctor, pharmacist, or emergency care.

Safe first steps

  • Avoid heavy lifting, sudden bending, and prolonged bed rest.
  • Use comfortable posture and gentle movement as tolerated.
  • Discuss physiotherapy, X-ray, or MRI only when clinically needed.

OTC medicine safety

  • For mild back pain, pain-relief medicine may be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist.
  • Avoid repeated painkiller use if you have kidney disease, stomach ulcer, uncontrolled blood pressure, or are taking blood thinners.

Avoid these mistakes

  • Do not start antibiotics without a proper medical decision.
  • Do not use steroid tablets or injections casually for quick relief.
  • Do not delay emergency care because of home remedies.

Get urgent help if

  • Back pain with leg weakness, numbness around private area, loss of urine/stool control, fever, cancer history, or major injury needs urgent care.
Medicine names, dose, and timing must be decided by a qualified clinician or pharmacist after checking age, pregnancy, allergy, other diseases, and current medicines.

For rural patients and family caregivers

Patient health record and symptom diary

Write your symptoms, medicines already taken, test results, and questions before visiting a doctor. This note stays on your device unless you print or copy it.

Doctor to discuss: Medicine doctor / pediatrician for children / qualified clinician
Tests to discuss with doctor
  • Temperature chart and hydration assessment
  • CBC with platelet count if fever persists or dengue/other infection is possible
  • Urine test, malaria/dengue tests, chest evaluation, or blood culture only when clinically indicated
Questions to ask
  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
  • Which tests are really needed now?
  • Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?
  • Do I need antibiotics, or is this more likely viral?

Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

Safe pathway to proper treatment

Care roadmap for: Sakhua, Sal, Shala tree, Sal, Shorea robusta

Use this simple roadmap to understand the next safe steps. It is educational and does not replace examination by a doctor.

Go to emergency care if you notice:
  • Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
  • Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration
Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.
  1. Step 1

    Check danger signs first

    If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.

  2. Step 2

    Record the symptom story

    Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.

  3. Step 3

    Visit a qualified clinician

    A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.

  4. Step 4

    Do only useful tests

    Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.

  5. Step 5

    Follow up and return early if worse

    If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips
  • Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
  • Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
  • Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.

RX Patient Help

Ask a health question safely

Write your symptom story. A health professional or site editor can review it before any answer is prepared. This box is not for emergency care.

Emergency first: Severe chest pain, breathing trouble, unconsciousness, stroke signs, severe injury, heavy bleeding, or rapidly worsening symptoms need urgent local medical care now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this article a replacement for a doctor?

No. It is educational content only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.

References

Add references, clinical guidelines, textbooks, journal articles, or trusted medical sources here. You can edit this area from the RX Article Professional Blocks panel.

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