Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. (= B. frondosa Roxb.)

DeFilipps, Robert A. & Krupnick, Gary A., 2018, The medicinal plants of Myanmar, PhytoKeys 102, pp. 1-341 : 79-80

Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. (= B. frondosa Roxb.)

Names.

Myanmar: paukpin, shagan changgan (Kachin), pawpan (Kayin), tanom khapore (Mon), kao mai, kikao, maikao (Shan). English: bastard-teak, flame-of-the-forest.

Range.

Tropical Asia. Found growing naturally throughout Myanmar, with the exception of the mountainous areas; grows most commonly by the sides of streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes.

Uses.

The parts are used in preparations stimulating digestion, increasing sperm production, promoting repair of broken bone, and improving urinary flow. Bark: Knobs are powdered, rolled in honey, and formed into pellets that are taken for strength and longevity. Sap: Fresh sap is applied topically as an ointment to relieve sores, rashes, and bumps. It is also used to make remedies taken orally for diarrhea. Gum and Leaf: Used as an astringent. Leaf: Used to make tonics. Flower: Liquid from soaking flowers overnight in cold water is mixed with sugar and taken orally to alleviate anal pain, blood in the urine, and nosebleeds. Flowers stewed in water are applied to the navel area while still warm to ease bladder inflammation and promote urination. The dried flowers are brewed into a tea taken to relieve fatigue, as well as to cleanse the blood and body systems. The flowers are also used in remedies for urinary infections and leprosy. Seed: An ointment made from the crushed seeds mixed with lime juice is used for ringworm. After soaking in water and removing the seed coats, the inner seed kernels are dried and powdered; the powder is given twice daily for four days, and a laxative is also given on the fourth day to expel intestinal worms. Seed and Bark: Used in remedies for neutralizing snake venoms.

Notes.

The medicinal uses of this species in India are discussed in Jain and DeFilipps (1991). In addition to Myanmar, medicinal uses of the species in Indo-China and Indonesia are discussed in Perry (1980).

References.

Agricultural Corporation (1980), Perry (1980).