SHALMALI (BOMBAX MALABARICUM LINN.): A MULTI-PURPOSE BOON OF AYURVEDA
Dr. A.K. Sharma1, Dr. Gagan deep kour2, Dr. Srishti dhyani3
1
Lecturer, Dept. of Dravya Guna, Rishikul State Ayurvedic College, Haridwar, Uttarakhand.
2
P.G. Scholar, Dept. of Dravya Guna, Rishikul State Ayurvedic College, Haridwar, Uttarakhand.
3
P.G. Scholar, Dept. of Dravya Guna, Rishikul State Ayurvedic College, Haridwar, Uttarakhand.
ABSTRACT
Medicinal plants have been used throughout human history. Today the whole world know that plants have the
ability to produce chemicals which can be helpful in performing biological functions in a better way, enhancing the
immunity and preventing the diseases. One of the important medicinal plant used in Ayurveda traditional medicine
to treat different ailments and maintain health condition is shalmali (Bombax malabaricum). It is a tall tree
belonging to family Bombaceae. This Silk cotton tree is often referred to as the Silent Doctor because every part of
the plant including flowers, spines and exudate have important medicinal uses. Bombax malabaricum contain
glycosides, tannins, flavonoid, b-sitosterol and lupeol. These constituents are responsible for important
pharmacological activities like analgesic, antioxidant, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory, anti- helictobacter pylori,
anti-angiogenic and hepato-protective properties. It also possesses hypotensive, hypoglycemic and anti-microbial
activities. Thorns of Bombax malabaricum pounded with milk is very helpful in acne infestation and hemostatic
property of its exudate i.e. Mocha rasa gives a good relief to patients suffering from gastro-intestinal troubles like
dysentery, and different gynaecological disorders. Hence this present paper is an attempt to rediscover
the therapeutic uses of this boon drug Bombax malabaricum, a gift from AYURVEDA.
KEYWORDS: Bombax malabaricum Linn., Shalmali, Aphrodisiac, Rejuvenator, Anti-oxidant
INTRODUCTION
Bombax malabaricum Dc. (Syn. Bombax ceiba Linn., Salamalia malabarica Schott & Engl.) has a very special place
in Ayurveda since all parts of plant have been used for a wide range of medication. Shalmali belongs to family
Bombaceae which contains about 26 tropical genera and 150 species. It is full of various pharmacological
constituents like gallic acid, tannic acid, galactopyranose, hentriacontane, b-sitosterol and other important
glycosides which are helpful to treat different ailments like diarrhea, dysentery acne, menorrhagia, haemrrhoids,
acne vulgaris, boils, chronic cystitis and other genitourinary disorders.
VERNACULAR NAMES
SHALMALI is commonly known as “semal, semar, shimal, nurma, deokapas, huttain” in Hindi, “shalmali, chirajivika,
picchila, kukkuti, raktapushpaka, kantakadruma, bahuvirya, tulavriksha” in Sanskrit, “kapok tree, silk cotton tree”
in English, “shembal savari” in Marathi, “mandlaboorugachettu, kondaburaga, patti” in Telugu, “mullulavamarum,
samparuthi in Malayalam and “Semal moosal” in Gwalior1.
The plant Bombax malabaricum Linn. is known as SHALMALI because it blossoms with beautiful red flowers. It is a
tall (manadruma, dirgadruma), long-lived (chirajivika, purani, dirgha aayu, sthir jivika) and thorny (kantakadhya,
kantakdruma) tree with beautiful red flowers (raktapushpaka, kukkuti, ramyapushpa) and cotton yielding fruit
(tulaphala, tulavriksha, tulini). It also releases exudation (mocha, mochasrava, mocha niryaas) which is slimy
(picchila). It is a beneficial drug used in various ailments (bahuvirya)2.
CLASSICAL REFERENCE:
In Rigveda, it is mentioned that shalmali wood is used to prepare a chariot during marriage rituals. Shalmali is also
described in Grahya sutra, Vishnudharma sutra and Atharva parishishta3.
Charaka has categorized twaka (bark) of shalamali in Purisha viranjaniya mahakashaya (impart natural colour to
faeces) and Mocharasa under sandhaniya (healing herb), purisha sangrahaniya (gives form to faeces), shonita
sthapaniya (haemostatic) and vedna sthapana (relieving the pain) mahakashaya [C.S. Su. 4] and kashaya skanda
[C.S. Vi. 8]
SUSHRUTA has mentioned it in Priyangvadi gana [S.S. Su. 38].
VAGHBHATTA has placed it as a drug of choice for bodyaches and stiffness and recommended its use through
nasal route (Nasya) for administration. [A.H. Ut. 40, 46]4.
Description of Shalmali is found in almost all nighantus. Bhava prakasha nighantu and Madanpaala nighantu
described it under Vatadi varga. Raj nighantu and Nghantu adharsha included it under Shalmalyadi varga. Nighantu
Ratnakar and Sodhal nighantu mentioned it in Aamradi varga. Kaiyadev nighantu included it in Aushadi varga.
Bhava Mishra described two varities of Shlamali under Vatadi varga. They are:
1.
Shalmali – Bombax malabaricum Dc.
2.
Kuta shalmali – Ceiba pentandra Linn5.
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
Bombax malabaricum Linn. is a lofty, deciduous tree buttressed at the base. The tree grows 25-35 meters in height
with old trees upto 60 meters. It is known as King of the forest due to their massive size and showy flowers. It has
pale ashy to silveryd grey colored bark, 1.8-2.5cm thick, covered with hard, sharp and conical prickles but these
pickles get eroded when tree get older.
Leaves: Large, palmate, glabrous, 13-15cm long, 7-10cm wide and leaflets 3-7, entire and lanceolate. Leaves
usually drop in winter and at that time masses of large orange or red flowers appear.
FLOWERS: Cup shaped flowers, solitary or clustered usually with 5 petals appear in early summer i.e. spring before
the new foliage. Dry cores of flowers are essential ingredient of spicy noodle soup of cuisine of North Thailand.
FRUITS: Capsular, 12-18cm long, dehiscing by 5 woody valves. This woody fruit contain silky floss used in pillows
etc. This silky floss is light green in immature fruits and brown in mature ones.
SEEDS: Smooth, black or grey in color, embedded in white wool.
EXUDATE: Gummy exudate, greyish in color, obtained from the bark and dried; available in the market as “semul
gum” , “mocharasa” or “supari ka phula”6,7,8,9.
DISTRIBUTION
Bombax malabaricum has its origin from Northern Australia. It is commonly found in India, Burma and Sri Lanka.
Plant grows throughout hotter parts of India, upto elevation of about 1500 meters. In Peninsular India, the tree is
very common in dry as well as moist deciduous forests and near rivers, also cultivated in gardens. In India, it is
distributed from Rajasthan and southward into Sarakalli and adjacent area of Chittor district, Andhra Pradesh. The
tree is a strong light-demander and fast growing. It grows best on deep sandy loams or other well-drained soils,
particularly in valleys, in regions receiving 50 to 460 cm annual rainfall well distributed throughout the year10,11.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS
Bombax malabaricum is rich in many phytochemicals. Root, stem and leaf shows presence of glycosides and
tannins. From the root bark, 3 Naphthalene derivatives have been isolated i.e. 6-Methyl ether of semigossypol and
1,4-quinone of semigossypol and its quinone. Lupeol, b-sitosterol, naphthoquinone and potassium nitrate are also
isolated from root and stem bark. Flowers contain b-D-glucoside of b-sitosterol, free b-sitosterol, hentiacontane,
hentriacontanol, traces of essential oil, kaempferol and quercetin. Calyx contain moisture (85.66%), crude protein
(1.38%), carbohydrate (11.95%) and ash (1.09%); calcium, magnesium and phosphorus contents of ash
determined. Seeds yield a non-drying oil. Mocharasa or supari ka phoola contain tannic and gallic acid. Hydrolysis
of gum yield arabinose, galactose, galacturonic acid and traces of rhamnose. Four new sesquiterpines are also
isolated from bark and their structures12,13.
AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES AND PHARMACOLOGICAL EFFECT
According to Ayurveda literature, Shalmali is madhura (sweet) in rasa (taste) ; laghu (light), snigdha (unctuous) &
picchila (slimy) in guna (properties); sheeta (cold) in virya (potency) and madhura (sweet) in vipaka (metabolism) 14
According to Raj nighantu, Shalmali is madhura (sweet) and kashaya (astringent) in taste. Its exudate i.e.
mocharasa is kashaya (astringent) in rasa (taste); katu in vipaka (metabolism); sheeta (cold) in virya (potency) and
possess similar attributes to shalmali15.
Due to these properties, it pacifies pitta, and balances vata and kapha. Pharmacological effects of shalmali are
grahi (absorbant), vrishya (aphrodisiac), balya (improves nourishment of the body), rasayana (rejuvenator),
pittasranashani (relieves pitta and bleeding disorders). Due to the kashaya (astringent) rasa of mocharasa, it has
atisarahara (relieves dysentery and diarrhoea), amahara (relieves ama – a state of indigestion at stomach and
tissue level) daahanuta (relieves burning sensation) action16,17.
MEDICINAL USES
Parts medicinally used are root, bark, spines, leaves, flower, unripe or tender fruit, seeds, exudate (whole plant).
Bark : It is demulcent, diuretic, tonic and slightly astringent. Bark is used externally in inflammations and
cutaneous eruptions in the form of a paste. It is used in snake bite also. Bark of Bombax malabaricum is highly
beneficial in boils and burning sensation and is applied on face in facial complaints such as freckles, acne vulgaris
and other pigmentation disorders.
ROOT : Semul musli (Tap root of young plants) is demulcent, tonic, slightly diuretic and aphrodisiac. It is taken in
deability, consumption and sexual weakness including seminal disorder. It is also used for gonorrhea and
dysentery.
LEAVES : They are beneficial for skin eruptions and strangury.
FLOWERS : Flowers are astringent, laxative and diuretic. They are highly useful in skin troubles, splenomegaly and
hemorrhoids.
FRUITS : Dry young fruits are beneficial in chronic inflammation and ulceration of the bladder and kidneys including
strangury . They are also used in calculus affection and weakness of genial organs.
SEEDS : They have good effect in gonorrhea, gleet, chronic cystitis, consumption and catarrhal affections. Cotton is
employed externally for its mechanical properties (softness and elasticity) in paddling splints and covering burnt
and inflamed surfaces.
GUM RESIN : It is astringent, tonic, hemostatic, aphrodisiac and is highly useful in uterine disorders, diarrhea and
dysentery and all other affections in which astringents like kino and catechu are useful18,19.
THERAPEUTIC USES:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Cold infusion of shalmali petioles should be given with yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and honey in
diarrhea20
Shalmali bark along with bala root can be applied externally on any type of wound20
Flowers of shalmali are cooked with ghee and rock salt and given orally as vegetable dish in uterine
bleeding disorders and leucorrhea20
Paste of bark is applied on skin eruptions, boils and acne vulgaris21
The skin of bark, in a paste form, is applied on the swollen parts to reduce the swelling and burning
sensation21
Flowers of Bombax malabaricum, either in dried powder form or their fresh juice can be applied
externally to arrest the bleeding21
Powder of flowers of shalmali wih honey is given internally in all bleeding disorders. (CHAKRADUTTA) 22
Gargles with decoction of mocharasa are highly beneficial for healing the ulcers of the oral cavity and to
mitigate bleeding of the gums21
Mocharasa cleanses and heals the wounds, so it is also used as one of the ingredients in tooth powders21
Powder of flowers of shalmali or mocharasa given with honey, rock salt and rice water is excellent for
arresting gastro-intestinal bleeding conditions like piles, diarrhea, dysentery and colitis21
The prickles mashed with water, are valuable in a paste form, to treat acne and depigmentation of the
skin21
Cotton wool of shalmali is burnt and then applied quickly on wounds of burn. (CHAKRADUTTA) 22
Roots are valuable as an aphrodisiac and help to prevent premature ejaculation. (HAARITA)22
14. Roots mashed with milk are given as a tonic in general debility and work as a rejuvenator also21
15. Roots of shalmali mashed with nutmeg powder are given in diabetes21
16. Flowers of shalmali are boiled in water and kept for the whole night and mixed with raii (indian mustard)
in the morning and given in conditions of splenomegaly22
17. Raw fruit of shalmali is highly beneficial in cough and cold22
18. Decoction of skin of Bombax malabaricum is mixed with milk and is given in burning sensation of the
body22
19. Skin of shalmali given with butter milk promptly controls diarrhea21
20. Mocharasa siddha ghrita (medicated ghee) is highly beneficial in menorrhagia21
21. Mocharasa is also useful for giving enema as it is an important ingredient of piccha vasti which is used to
relieve dysentery, diarrhea, rectal prolapse and other bleeding disorders21
22. Leaves ground and mixed with milk are given for strangury23
23. Petals squeezed and soaked in human or cow’s milk form a soothing application for conjunctivitis of
infants23
24. Dry flowers of shalmali with poppy seeds, goat’s milk and sugar are boiled and inspissated, and are given
in hemorrhoids23
25. Mocharasa along with flowers of woodfordia floribunda, root of mimosa pudica and filaments of lotus,
each one tola, powdered rice one tola, water 11 tolas are boiled together and is given in dysentery of
children (BHAVA PRAKASH)23
26. Powdered mocharasa and indrayava seeds along with decoction of bael fruit in goat’s milk are highly
beneficial in dysentery of adults23
27. Take of mocharasa 2 parts, poppy seeds 3, brahmadandi dried leaves 4 parts, seeds of mucuna pruriens 3
parts, satawari 4 parts and gum of pistacia lentiscus 3 parts are mixed and powder is given in seminal
debility in dose of 10 to 15 grains23
28. Mocharasa , bael fruit, mango seed each 1 drachm and opium 5 grains are mixed and powder is given in
dysentery and dysentric diarrhea in dose of 20 to 40 grains23
29. Mocharasa and laksha, each ½ tola along with glass of milk and sugar twice daily is highly beneficial in
pleurisy22
RESEARCH STUDIES:
1.
2.
3.
Shalmali and prostate cancer : An important constituent of Shalmali, Lupeol has shown to be able to
decrease serum prostate – specific antigen (PSA) levels and inhibit the tumorigenicity of prostate cancer
cells in vivo24
Anti-oxidant activity : Extract from Bombax malabaricum flowers exerted radical scavenging activity,
oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). So flowers could be the source of natural anti-oxidants25
Anti-helicobacter pylori and Anthelminthic properties: Results suggested that Bombax malabaricum
leaves exerted Anthelminthic effects, a property that some plants and medicines have to help the body
expel helminthes or parasitic worm26
CONCLUSION:
For the last two decades, interest in herbal drugs have increased tremendously because of various reasons and the
use of medicinal plants to treat disease is often more adorable than buying expensive allopathic pharmaceuticals.
So this work on Bombax malabaricum, a boon of Ayurveda is an approach towards that side. So, it is concluded
that Bombax malabaricum is highly beneficial in inflammation, prolapse of uterus or vagina, menorrhagia,
diarrhoea, wound etc. It has anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic and antioxidant activities. Various parts of
shalmali are useful in small pox, bleeding gums, toothache and caries, sores in mouth, pain in leg, fever, enlarged
spleen, atrophy, emaciation, rheumatism, spermatorrhea, haematuria, cholera, pneumonia, pleurisy, intercostal
neuralgia and leprosy. Young tap roots are useful in dysentery, syphilis and gonorrhea. Shalmali is highly beneficial
drug which is used both as arejuvenator and an aphrodisiac. So this plant Bombax malabaricum acts beneficially on
almost all systems of body. So, further studies must be carried out in this regard to explore the potential of
Bombax malabaricum in treating different ailments and enhancing the immunity.
REFERENCES:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
Dr. K.M. Nadkarni’s Indian Materia Medica, Vol. 1, Revised and enlarged by A.K.Nadkarni ; 208
Sharma Priya Vrat, NAMARUPAJNANAM, Satyapriya Prakashan Varanasi, 2000 ; 183
Dr. J.L.N Sastry, Dravyaguna Vijnana, Vol. 2,Forward by Prof. K.C. Chunekar, Chaukhambha Orientalia; 95
Indian medicinal plants, forgotten healers by Dr. Prakash Paranjpe, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Pratishthan,
Delhi; 235
Shri Bhava Mishra, Bhava Prakasha Nighantu, Comm. Prof. K.C. Chunekar, Edited by Late Dr. G.S. Pandey,
Chaukhambha bharati academy, Varanasi ; 525-527
The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I, Government of the health and family welfare, New Delhi,
vol. 3 ; 183-184.
Compendium of Indian medicinal plants: volume I ; 61.
Wikipedia.org [homepage on the Internet]. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombax_ceiba
Indian medicinal plants, forgotten healers by Dr. Prakash Paranjpe, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Pratishthan,
Delhi; 235
Parrotta JA, Healing plants of peninsular India, CABI publishing, 2001.
Wikipedia.org [homepage on the Internet]. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombax_ceiba
Indian medicinal plants, forgotten healers by Dr. Prakash Paranjpe, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Pratishthan,
Delhi; 235
Seshadri, V., Batta, S.,Phenolic components of Bombax malabaricum, Curr. Sci., 1971;40(23);630
Sharma Priya vrata, Dravyaguna Vijnana, Vol. 2, Chaukhambha bharati academy, Varanasi ;491
Dr. Indradeva Tripathi, Rajanighantu of Pandit Narahari, Chaukhamba krishnadas academy, Varanasi;233
Shri Bhava Mishra, Bhava Prakasha Nighantu, Comm. Prof. K.C. Chunekar, Edited by Late Dr. G.S. Pandey,
Chaukhambha bharati academy, Varanasi ; 525-527
Dr. Indradeva Tripathi, Rajanighantu of Pandit Narahari, Chaukhamba krishnadas academy, Varanasi;233
Sharma Piyavrata, Classical use of medicinal plants, Chaukhambha Vishwabharti Varanasi;1996
Dr. K.M. Nadkarni’s Indian Materia Medica, Vol. 1, Revised and enlarged by A.K.Nadkarni ; 208
Dr. J.L.N Sastry, Dravyaguna Vijnana, Vol. 2,Forward by Prof. K.C. Chunekar, Chaukhambha Orientalia; 97
Indian medicinal plants, forgotten healers by Dr. Prakash Paranjpe, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Pratishthan,
Delhi; 236
Bapalal G. Vaidya, Nighantu Adharsh, Chaukhambha bharati academy, Varanasi;178
23. Dr. K.M. Nadkarni’s Indian Materia Medica, Vol. 1, Revised and enlarged by A.K.Nadkarni ; 208
24. Mohd. Saleem, Imtiyaaz Murtazaa and Amanda marie Kohl school of medicine and public health,
University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
25. El. Hagrassi AM, Ali MM, Osman AF, Department of phytochemistry and plant systematics, National
Research centre, Dokki-Giza, Egypt
26. Hossain E, Chandra G, Nandy AP, Gupta JP. Pharmacy College, Itaura, Chandeshwar, Azamgarh, Uttar
Pradesh, India. www.herbcyclopedia.com
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:
DR. GAGAN DEEP KOUR
PG SCHOLAR, DEPT. OF DRAVYAGUNA,
RISHIKUL STATE AYURVEDIC COLLEGE,
HARIDWAR, UTTARAKHAND.
Email – saniyar.sethi@gmail.com