Butea monosperma

BotanicalBest taken away from food

What is it

Butea monosperma (palash, flame of the forest) is a deciduous tree native to South Asia. Its flowers, bark, gum and seeds are used in Ayurvedic medicine for parasites, skin conditions, menstrual issues and general inflammation.

Evidence for 2 uses

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Antiparasitic (traditional, preclinical)

Mixed Evidence

Traditional anthelminthic use; limited modern human evidence.

Anti-inflammatory / skin

Mixed Evidence

Preclinical evidence only.

How it works

Butea monosperma flowers contain butein, butin, isobutrin and other flavonoids; seeds contain palasonin and oils. Preclinical studies report antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic and estrogenic activities. Butein in particular has shown anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects in cell models. Traditional anthelminthic use of seeds is supported by limited animal evidence. Human clinical trials are sparse, and product standardization is highly variable.

Dosage

No established RDA. Ayurvedic preparations use 1-3 g of dried flowers or bark per day; seed preparations are used at smaller doses due to higher potency.

When and how to take it

Ayurvedic doses are typically taken between meals.

2 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Dried flowers (palash pushpa)

Used in Ayurvedic infusions and powders.

Variable.

Bark extract

Traditional decoctions.

Variable.

Safety

Bark and flowers are generally well tolerated. Seeds have higher concentrations of potentially toxic constituents and should be used cautiously. Quality of commercial products varies.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy, breastfeeding, and in hormone-sensitive cancers. Use cautiously with anticoagulants.

Interactions

Potential interactions with hormone-modulating medications and anticoagulants based on preclinical activity.

Frequently asked questions

Is Butea monosperma safe?⌄

Flowers and bark are generally well tolerated traditionally; seeds require more caution.

Does it help libido or hormones?⌄

Preclinical data on estrogenic activity exists but human evidence is lacking.

References

Butea monosperma on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Butea monosperma (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.