Salmali (Shalmali (Shalmali, Shimul, Mocharasa — gum exudate))
Shalmali (Salmalia malabarica Schott & Endl., syn. Bombax ceiba) is a classical Malvaceae tree. Mocharasa is the reddish-brown gum exudate from the trunk, cited in Charaka (Sandhaniya Mahakashaya) and Sushruta (Priyangvadigana) for rakta-pitta, atisara, and vrana. Flower is haemostatic; root is used in classical gynaecological contexts.
Botanical name: Salmalia malabarica. Also known as: Salmali, Shalmali, Silk cotton tree, Mocharasa, Bombax ceiba.
Properties
Kashaya, Sheeta; Grahi, Sandhaniya; Mocharasa is gum exudate
Traditional uses
- Pushyanuga churna and other classical formulations
- Mocharasa for atisara, rakta-pitta, vrana
Dosha effects
- vata: balancing
- kapha: decreasing
- pitta: decreasing