Review on Butea monosperma Plant and Its Medicinal Use

Abstract

Butea monosperma (Lam.) Kuntze (Syn. Butea frondosa; Family Fabaceae), This is a moderate sized deciduous tree which is widely distributed throughout India, Burma and Ceylon, popularly known as 'dhak' or 'palas', commonly known as ‘Flame of forest’. The family Fabaceae compromises of 630 genera and 18,000 species. The crude extracts of various parts and pure isolates of Butea monosperma was reported to possess antibacterial, antifungal, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory activities. Butea monosperma have been found to possess tonic, astringent, aphrodisiac and diuretics properties. The widespread uses of Butea monosperma in traditional systems of medicine have resulted in their extensive chemical analysis for their bio-active principles. This article briefly reviews the botany, chemistry and pharmacology of Butea monosperma (Lam) Kuntze. It is evident that without nature human being life is impossible. There are three basic necessity of humans is food, clothes and shelter and now the fourth one is good health, which provided by plant kingdom. Nature stands a golden mark and provided the storehouse of remedies to cure all ailments of mankind. Plant kingdom represents a rich house of organic compounds, many of which have been used for medicinal purposes and could serve as lead for the development of novel agents having good efficacy in various pathological disorders in the coming years. Herbs have always been the principal form of medicine in India and presently they are becoming popular throughout the world, as people strive to stay healthy in the face of chronic stress and pollution, and to treat illness with medicines that work in count with the body’s own defence.