Talk:Shalmali
| Section/Chapter | Herb database/Shalmali |
|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Bombax ceiba L. |
| Family | Bombacaceae |
| Availability | Available |
| Contributors | Team Dravyaguna |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | Awaited |
Bombax ceiba L. (syn. *Bombax malabarica* D.C.), popularly known as Shalmali (Silk cotton tree), is a large, deciduous tree native to tropical regions of Asia, Australia, and Africa. It is widely revered in Ayurveda as a prominent cooling, astringent, and healing agent, traditionally utilized for managing internal hemorrhages, inflammatory skin conditions, burning sensations, and wound healing.
English name
Silk cotton tree
Therapeutic Uses
Intrinsic haemorrhage (Raktapitta), Wound (Vrana), Burning sensation (Daha), Acne & Pimples (Youvanapidaka).[1]
Other Varieties / Other Botanical names
- Bombax aculeatum L.
- Bombax ceiba Burm.f.
- Bombax heptaphyllum Cav.
- Bombax thorelii Gagnep.
- Bombax tussacii Urb.
- Gossampinus malabarica Merr.
- Gossampinus rubra Buch.-Ham.
- Gossampinus thorelii Bakh.
- Melaleuca grandiflora Blanco
- Salmalia malabarica (DC.) Schott & Endl.
Botanical Profile & Traditional Context
In traditional Indian medicine, Shalmali is classified under categories that support tissue regeneration, blood purification, and the pacification of Vata and Pitta doshas. Its gum exudate (Mocha rasa) and bark possess significant demulcent and astringent properties.
Bhavaprakasha Nighantu
Mentioned 2 types[2]
- Shalmali – Bombax ceiba L.
- Kuta Shalmali – Ceiba pentandra Gaertn.
Synonyms in Charak Samhita
Shalmali, Mocha, Pichhila, Sthirayu, Shalmaliniryasa (Mocha rasa), Shalmaliveshtaka, Pichha, Kantakadhya.
Additional Synonyms in Bhavprakasha Nighantu
Purani, Raktapushpa, Tulini.[3]
Ayurvedic Pharmacological Properties
| Sr.no. | Pharmacological criteria | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taste (rasa) | Astringent (kashaya) |
| 2 | Potency (veerya) | Cold (sheeta) |
| 3 | Post digestion effect (vipaka) | Sweet (madhura) |
| 4 | Qualities (guna) | Light (laghu), Unctuous (snigdha) |
| 5 | Actions (karma) | Pacify Vata and Pitta |
Reference in Charak Samhita and its actions
| Sr.no. | Reference in Charak Samhita | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 4/9(32) | Purishvirajaniya mahakashaya |
| 2 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 4/9(46) | Shonitasthapana mahakashaya |
| 3 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 4/9(47) | Vedanasthapana mahakashaya |
| 4 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 27/99 | Shaka Varga |
| 5 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 27/104 | Shaka Varga |
| 6 | Cha.Sa. Vimana Sthana 8/135 | Vamana dravyani |
| 7 | Cha.Sa. Vimana Sthana 8/144 | Kashaya-skandha |
| 8 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 3/258 | As an ingredient of Chandanadi taila |
| 9 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 4/39 | As pathya ahara |
| 10 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 4/76 | As an ingredient of kiratatiktadi churna |
| 11 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 4/86 | Used in gudagata raktapitta |
| 12 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 4/99 | Used in Nasagata raktapitta for Avapida nasya |
| 13 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 14/189 | Used in kutajadi rasakriya |
| 14 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 14/193 | Used in raktarsha |
| 15 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 14/202 | Dadhisara yoga is used in rakta arsha |
| 16 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 14/225 | As an ingredient of pichcha basti |
| 17 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 14/236 | As an ingredient of sunishannaka changeri ghrita |
| 18 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 15/113 | Used as ingredient of yavagu |
| 19 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 19/53 | As a yoga dravya in treatment of pittaj atisara |
| 20 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 19/75 | As an ingredient in nilotpaladi yoga |
| 21 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 19/110 | As a yoga dravya |
| 22 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 25/63 | Used for avpeedana |
| 23 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 27/29 | As an ingredient of Urustambha nashak Yoga |
| 24 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 30/75 | As an ingredient of Udumbaradi taila |
| 25 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 30/91 | As an ingredient of Pushyanuga churna |
| 26 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 30/122 | Used in the treatment of Pichhila yoni |
Dose
- Churna (Powder): 5–10 g.[1]
Important Formulations
Current Availability
Available
- In India: Jammu & Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, West Bengal, Odisha, Assam.
- Out of India: Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, China, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Australia, Africa.
Phytochemical Composition
The therapeutic potential of *Bombax ceiba* stems from its diverse secondary metabolites:
- Tannins and Phenolic Compounds: High concentrations of condensed tannins and gallic acid derivatives providing strong astringency.
- Flavonoids: Lupeol, mangiferin, and quercetin derivatives.
- Mucilage and Polysaccharides: Present extensively in the gum resin (Mocha rasa), facilitating demulcent and soothing actions.
Pharmacological Activities & Therapeutic Efficacy
Hemostatic and Wound Healing Actions
- Mechanism: The rich tannin content acts as a natural astringent, precipitating proteins on mucosal surfaces and open wounds to arrest bleeding, reduce exudation, and accelerate cellular repair.
- Scientific Evidence: Preclinical studies demonstrate significant reduction in bleeding time and improved wound contraction rates when utilizing bark and resin extracts.[10]
Anti-Inflammatory and Demulcent Efficacy
- Mechanism: The mucilaginous polysaccharides coat irritated gastrointestinal and urogenital linings, minimizing inflammation and providing relief from burning sensations (*daha*).
- Scientific Evidence: Experimental models confirm its substantial anti-inflammatory capacity and protective effects against mucosal irritation.[11]
Safety, Toxicity, and Dosage
- Acute Toxicity: *Bombax ceiba* extracts exhibit a very favorable safety margin in standard experimental evaluations.
- Precautions: No major adverse contraindications are noted under standard dosages; however, excessive ingestion of crude gum without fluid can cause mild digestive heaviness.
Summary of Therapeutic Profile
| Indication | Active Biomolecules | Primary Pharmacological Action |
|---|---|---|
| Intrinsic Haemorrhage (Raktapitta) | Condensed tannins, Gallic acid | Hemostatic, Astringent |
| Wounds & Skin Irritations | Flavonoids, Lupeol | Wound healing, Anti-inflammatory |
| Burning Sensation & Ulcerations | Mucilage polysaccharides | Demulcent, Cytoprotective |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume III:81.
- ↑ Prof. K.C. Chunekar, Bhavprakasha Nighantu, Reprint 2015, Chaukhambha Vishvabharti, Vatadi Varga, ch. 29, 30, p. 525, 527.
- ↑ Prof. K.C. Chunekar, Bhavprakasha Nighantu, Reprint 2015, Chaukhambha Vishvabharti, Vatadi Varga, verse no. 54-55, p. 525.
- ↑ Dr. Brahmanand Tripathi, Ashtanga Hridayam, Chikitsa Sthana, Reprint 2014, Chaukhambha Sanskrit Pratishthana, chapter no. 12, verse no. 18-30, p. 718.
- ↑ Kaviraj Ambikadatta Shastri, Bhaishajya Ratnavali, ed. 2022, Chaukhambha Prakashan, Prameha Chikitsa Prakaranam, verse no. 192-194, p. 737.
- ↑ Kaviraj Ambikadatta Shastri, Sushruta Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana, Reprint 2015, Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan, chapter no. 17, verse no. 27-28, p. 101.
- ↑ Acharya Vidyadhar Shukla, Prof. Ravidatta Tripathi, Charaka Samhita Vol. 2, Reprint 2006, Chaukhambha Sanskrit Pratishthan, Chikitsa Sthana, chapter no. 14, verse no. 188-192, p. 343.
- ↑ Acharya Vidyadhar Shukla, Prof. Ravidatta Tripathi, Charaka Samhita Vol. 2, Reprint 2006, Chaukhambha Sanskrit Pratishthan, Chikitsa Sthana, chapter no. 14, verse no. 235-242, p. 349.
- ↑ Bains, S.; Puri, D. (2005). "Hypolipidemic and antioxidant activity of Bombax ceiba flower extract". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 98 (1): 85–91.
- ↑ Dar, A.; Faizi, S.; Naqvi, S. (2006). "Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of Bombax ceiba constituents". Phytomedicine. 13 (3): 202–207.