Butea monosperma

Butea monosperma, commonly known as the Flame of the Forest, is a deciduous tree celebrated in Ayurveda. Renowned for its vibrant orange blossoms, it holds significant medicinal value. Its various parts, including seeds and bark, are utilized to treat ailments ranging from skin diseases to digestive disorders and inflammation.

  • Scientific name: Butea monosperma
  • Family: Fabaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Temperate

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, it is further categorized into the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is placed within the specific genus Butea.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Fabales WCVP
Family Fabaceae WCVP
Genus Butea WCVP

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range across parts of Asia. In China, it can be found specifically throughout the South-Central and Southeast regions. Its distribution extends into the Indian Subcontinent, where it is native to Assam. Furthermore, the species is well-documented within the borders of Bangladesh. Finally, it also thrives in the rugged terrains of the East Himalaya.

Region Area Source
China China South-Central WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Assam WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Bangladesh WCVP
Indian Subcontinent East Himalaya WCVP
Indian Subcontinent India WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Nepal WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Pakistan WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Sri Lanka WCVP
Indian Subcontinent West Himalaya WCVP

Chemicals

Butea monosperma has 21 reported phytochemicals identified across 28 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include catechin, flavonoids, butin, isocoreopsin, quercetin.

Total chemicals
21
Scientific sources
28

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
catechin 3 ★★☆☆☆
flavonoids 3 ★★☆☆☆
butin 2 ★☆☆☆☆
isocoreopsin 2 ★☆☆☆☆
quercetin 2 ★☆☆☆☆
(-)-medicarpin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
(-)-medicarpin acetate 1 ★☆☆☆☆
butein 1 ★☆☆☆☆
butrin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
ellagic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Butea monosperma has 17 reported activities identified across 22 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Aphrodisiac, Cytotoxic, Antiamnesic.

Total activities
17
Scientific sources
22

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antioxidant 3 ★★☆☆☆
Antibacterial 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Aphrodisiac 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Cytotoxic 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiamnesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiepileptic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antifertility 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antifungal 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antigenotoxic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Butea monosperma has 26 reported medicinal uses identified across 29 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, constipation, diarrhea, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Bacillus subtilis.

Total uses
26
Scientific sources
29

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
cancer 2 ★☆☆☆☆
constipation 2 ★☆☆☆☆
diarrhea 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Agrobacterium tumefaciens 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Bacillus subtilis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Breast cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Enterobacter aerogenes 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Enterobacter cloacae 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Escherichia coli 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Free Radical 1 ★☆☆☆☆