Scientific name: Salmalia malabarica
Family name: Bombaceae.
Bombax malabaricum is a large deciduous tree, notable for its height and covered with hard conical prickles. Flowers are large, bright red in colour with green cup shaped calyx followed by egg shaped green capsules; seeds numerous, of a black colour, and covered by long silky hairs, or a quantity of fine cotton. The root is of carrot size; bark is externally dark brown and reddish from inside, fibrous, hard and studded with a soft spongy substance. It has astringent gummy or mucilaginous taste. Capsule are 6 to 7 in number, ovoid, downy, 5-valved, valves silky within. Seeds are obovate, smooth.
Chemical constituents:
Saponins, Tannins and Gums.
Properties:
Rasa : Madhura, Kasaya,
Guna : Laghu, Picchila, Snigdha,
Vipaka : Madhura,
Virya : Sita,
Karma : Sothahara, Kaphavardhaka, Pittahara, Vatahara, Dahaprasamana
Benefits:
1)Mochras has great benefits in Ayurveda. It is used for the treatment and management of leukorrhea. It is also useful in fighting against itching or burning sensation, skin irritation, or redness of the tissues.
2)Roots of salmalia are used for treating dysentery, diarrhoea, and menorrhagia, are styptic and are also useful for treating wounds.
3)Gum of this plant is used to reduce burning sensation and is also effective for treating haemoptysis, influenza, pulmonary tuberculosis, and enteritis.
4)Paste of bark is applied externally to treat boils, acne, pimples.
Is Mochras safe?
There is no side effects of Mochras have been reported in the medical literature.
Contraindication: There are no contraindications but pregnant ladies,breastfeeding ladies and person on any medication should consult doctor.