Butea monosperma
Flame-of-the-forest
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 |
Common Names
This plant, scientifically known as Butea monosperma, is recognized by various common names across different languages and regions. In German, it is referred to as Malabar-Lackbaum, while in Indian languages, it holds significant cultural importance; it is known as палаश (palaash) in Hindi, ખાખરો (khakhro) in Gujarati, పळస (palas) in Marathi, and പ്ലാശ് (plash) in Malayalam.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| de | Malabar-Lackbaum | Wikidata |
| gu | ખાખરો | Wikidata |
| hi | पलाश | Wikidata |
| ml | പ്ലാശ് | Wikidata |
| mr | पळस | Wikidata |
| my | ပေါက် | Wikidata |
| ne | पलाँसको बोट | Wikidata |
| or | ପଳାଶ | Wikidata |
| pa | ਕੇਸੂ | Wikidata |
| pnb | کیسو | Wikidata |
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 |
Plant Parts
This plant, Butea monospermum, commonly known as Palash or Flame of the Forest, possesses various parts that are utilized for their medicinal properties. The leaves are often employed in traditional remedies to treat skin diseases and fever, while the stems and the stem bark are frequently used in decoctions to address ailments such as inflammation and digestive issues. The seeds are highly significant in Ayurvedic practice, often used to treat various parasitic infections. Furthermore, the seed oil, extracted from the harvested seeds, is valued for its topical applications and its role in managing specific dermatological conditions.- Total parts
- 15
- Scientific sources
- 20
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| stem bark | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| seeds | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stems | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seed oil | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seed | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inner bark segments | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
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 | ★☆☆☆☆ |