Botanical name : Bombax ceiba Linn (Salmalia malabarica (D.C.) Schott & Endlicher.)
Family : Bombacaceae
SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Salmali, Mocha, Picchila, Raktapushpa, Stirayu, Poorani, Kandaka
AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Madhura, Kashaya
Guna : Guru, Snigdha, Picchila
Virya : Seeta
Vipaka : Madhura
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Red silk cotton tree
Hindi : Semul, Semar
Malayalam : Ilavu, Mullilavu
Distribution – Throughout India in hilly areas. Also cultivated as a supporting tree for pepper plant.
PLANT DESCRIPTION
A tall deciduous tree grows up to 30 meters in height. Leaves palmately compund, leaflets lenceolate, acuminate, entire and large. Flowers large, red colored, found when tree sheds leaves. Fruits capsules, containing small smooth seeds embedded in long white wool. Gummy extract from bark is called semul-gum or Mocharasa, is used as medicine. Bark is guarded with numerous woody thorns.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, wounds, ulcers, skin diseases, hemorrhoids, urinary calculus, cystitis, inflammations, cough, bronchitis and dark discolorations on face.
Useful part : Resin, Leaves, Bark, Thorns.
Photo : Dr. Eby Abraham MD
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