Fabaceae
Butea Monosperma
Butea monosperma
⚠ Use with Caution
Avoid in Pregnancy
Native to: India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia
Also known as: Flame of the Forest, Palash, Bastard Teak, Dhak
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
FlowerSeedBark
Therapeutic Uses
Intestinal worms (roundworm, tapeworm — seed paste traditional), skin diseases (bark decoction), liver disorders, wounds, contraception (traditional). Ayurvedic anthelmintic.
Herbal Actions
Anthelmintic (seed), anti-inflammatory, antifungal, astringent (bark), phytoestrogenic
Active Constituents
Flavonoids (butein, butin, isobutrin, palasitrin), alkaloids, tannins, fixed oils (seed — linoleic acid rich)
Preparation Methods
💊 Capsule🍵 Decoction🏺 Tincture
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | Bark: 1 tsp per 250ml, simmer 15 min, 2x daily |
| Tincture | 2–4 ml (1:5, 60% ethanol), 2–3x daily |
| Notes | Seed paste traditional anthelmintic — 1g seed paste daily for 3 days. Bark for skin conditions. Beautiful sacred tree in Indian culture — flowers used for Holi dyes. Limited Western clinical research. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
⚠ Use with Caution
Pregnancy
Avoid in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
None known
Contraindications: Avoid in pregnancy (antifertility effects documented in animals). Limited safety data. Use cautiously.
Side Effects: Allergic reactions. GI upset. Seeds: potential toxicity at high doses. Contraceptive effects.