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Red Silk Cotton (Semal / Shalmali)
Bombax ceiba
ଶିମିଳି (Simili)सेमल (Semal) / शाल्मलीShalmali
- Family
- Malvaceae
- Origin
- Tropical & Subtropical Asia
- Plant Type
- Tree
- Habitat
- Outdoor
About the Plant
Massive deciduous tree with spiny young trunk and buttressed base; digitate 5-7 foliolate leaves, brilliant large crimson cup-shaped flowers, and woody capsules with silky white floss.
Traditional Uses
Dysentery, menorrhagia, diarrhea, and burns
Parts Used
Exudate (Mocharasa), flowers, bark, roots
Ayurvedic Properties
- Rasa: Kashaya, Madhura
- Guna: Laghu, Snigdha, Picchila
- Virya: Sheeta
- Vipaka: Madhura
Health Benefits
- Cures diarrhea, stops dysmenorrhea, heals skin burns, and restores male vigor
Precautions
Excessive gum consumption can cause mild constipation
Interesting Facts
Produces gigantic scarlet flowers that cover the forest floor in spring and cotton-like kapok fiber