Witnessed by: Ayurveda · Unani
Sal tree (Shorea robusta), of the Dipterocarpaceae family. Large deciduous timber tree yielding an aromatic resin; native range: the sal forests of the sub-Himalayan belt and central and eastern India. Globally recognized as sala, ashvakarna in Sanskrit, sal in Hindi, ral (the resin), dhuna in Arabic, and sal tree, sal resin, Indian dammar in English. The part used is oleoresin (ral) and bark. A pale to amber resin, hard and brittle, melting to a balsamic fragrance when burned, with an astringent, faintly bitter taste.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
SAL TREE
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- Sal tree
- Scientific name
- Shorea robusta Gaertn.
- Family
- Dipterocarpaceae
Form
- Part used
- oleoresin (ral) and bark
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Ayurveda
- astringent · sweet · bitter
- Unani
- astringent · bitter · aromatic
Temperature
- Ayurveda
- cooling (shita)
- Unani
- hot & dry (2nd degree)
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Unani
- skin · intestines
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Ayurveda
- sangrahi (astringent and absorbent), vranaropana (wound-healing), kandughna (anti-itch) and styptic
- Unani
- mundmil (cicatrizant), mohallil, habis (astringent) and jali; burned as a cleansing fumigant
Cautions
- Contraindications
- marked constipation and dryness; internal use of the resin only in modest dose
- Toxicity
- well tolerated externally; large internal doses of resin may irritate and bind
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