Butea monosperma - Kela - කෑල

Botanical name  - Butea monosperma
Family                 - Leguminoseae
English name      - Bustard teak
Sanskrit names   - Palasa, Kinsuka, Pana, Yacchika, Raktapushpika, Ksharasreshtha,
                               Vatapotha, Brahmavruksha, Samidvara                          
Singhalese name- Kela

Parts used   - Bark, Flowers, leaves, gum & seeds

Properties:    
Rasa          Katu, Tikta, Kashaya,
Guna         Laghu, Snigdha
Veerya      Sheeta            
Vipaka      Katu


Attributes / Karma:
Alleviates Tri - dosha. Promote appetite, aphrodisiac.
Cures-wounds, Gulma, Anorectal diseases, fractures, piles, (Grahani) digestive diseases, (Krimi) parasitic infestations,
Flowers – Madhura vipaka. Alleviate Vata, Kapha. Constipative. Cures bleeding disorders, dysurea, excessive thirst, burning sensation, rheumatoid arthritis, Kushta.
Fruit – Ushna Veerya. Ruksha. Alleviate Vata, Kapha. Cures diabetes, piles, Krimi, Kushta, Gulma, Diseases of the stomach                    
Medicinal uses
External
• Urinary retention – worm flowers & leaves are tide over umbilicus & lower abdomen.
• Decoction of the bark is used for washing wounds, piles & vaginal discharges.
• Scorpion stings – rubbed seed is applied.
• Paste of the seeds is used is used in skin diseases, edema & eye diseases.
Internal
• Anorexia, spur & piles – bark decoction is used.
• Piles & abdominal distention – juice of leaves + flower is given.
• Fever & cold – bark decoction is used.
• Diabetes – juice of the leaves, bark & seeds are used.

Formulations
Palasa bija churna, Palasa Kshara ghrita.