Abstract

A CRITICAL LITERATURE REVIEW OF PALASH (BUTEA MONOSPERMA)

*Dr. Pritil Ahire, Dr. Swapnil Pimpale and Dr. Yogesh K. Shewale

Abstract

In Rigveda ‘Kinshuk’ was the synonym given for Palash. ’Kinshuk’ means who shines brightly. This synonym is given because of its bright attractive colour of the flower. Palash (Butea monosperma Lam.) is belonging to the family Fabaceae. Palash was commonly known as the ‘flame of the forest’. It is a traditional medicinal plant which has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic system of medicine for the treatment of prameha. Maximum 11 synonyms are described in kaidev Nighantu and Common synonyms of Palash are Kinshuk, Yadneya, Samidvar and Raktpushpak. Palash Pushpa (Flower) and Palash Twak (bark) both possess same Tikta, Katu and Kashaya Rasa but Flower having Madhur Vipaka and Sheet Virya and bark having Katu Vipaka, Ushna Virya. The detailed review was studied from ancient as well as modern texts and various researches on its pharmaceutical action were considered. Bhavprakash Nighantu, Raj Nighantu mentioned pramehghna (Anti- diabetic), medohar (Anti- obesity), varnaropak (Wound healing) and shophahar (Anti- inflammatory) activities. Acharya Vagbhat, Sushruta, Charaka, Yogratnakar and Bhaishjyaratnavali had used palash as an important ingredient in many Ayurveda formulations.

Keywords: Butea monosperma, Karma. Palash, Pharmacology, Properties.