Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Sala

Shorea robusta Gaertn.f.

Sala (Shorea robusta Gaertn.f.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Dipterocarpaceae family. Listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. coli 3 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed.

Key facts
Botanical nameShorea robusta Gaertn.f.
FamilyDipterocarpaceae
OrderMalvales
Pharmacopoeia statusListed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Resin (Rala/Sarjarasa) is an official drug in Ayurvedic formulary. No WHO monograph. Commercially important timber and resin species.
Taxon identifiersGBIF 3189684 · Wikidata Q909828 · NCBI Taxonomy 666687

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishSala
Latin/BotanicalShorea robusta Gaertn.f.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

How does it work?

  • Anti-inflammatory action via triterpenoid-mediated inhibition of NF-kB and reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6)
  • Wound healing through bergenin-mediated stimulation of collagen synthesis, fibroblast proliferation and angiogenesis
  • Antidiabetic activity via alpha-amylase/alpha-glucosidase inhibition and enhancement of GLUT4 translocation by ursolic acid
  • Immunomodulatory effects through modulation of macrophage activation and cytokine balance

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Wound healing use validated through excision wound models with significantly accelerated closure and improved histological markers
  • Anti-inflammatory activity confirmed in carrageenan-induced paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma models
  • Antipyretic activity confirmed in Brewer’s yeast-induced fever model in rodents
  • Antibacterial properties validated against common wound pathogens including S. aureus and E. coli

What do recent clinical trials show?

3 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • Resin (sal dammar) is generally regarded as safe for external and internal use at traditional doses; used widely in food grade applications
  • Seed oil is considered safe for consumption as an edible oil substitute; no reports of significant adverse effects. Formal clinical safety trials in humans remain limited.

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kwatha (decoction), Taila (medicated oil), Lepa (paste for external use), Ghana vati (solid extract tablet), Capsule

Standard Dosage: 3-6 g bark/resin powder per day; 50-100 mL kwatha twice daily; external application of resin paste as needed

Bioavailability: Triterpenoid and flavonoid constituents show moderate oral bioavailability (20-35%). Resinous compounds are lipophilic and benefit from lipid-based formulations. Amyrins undergo extensive hepatic metabolism. Polyphenolic fraction shows improved bioavailability with self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS).

Optimal Timing: After meals for GI-protective effects; externally as needed for wound healing applications

Standardized Extract: Bark extract (6:1 DER in 60% ethanol), standardized to NLT 3% total triterpenoids (as alpha-amyrin equivalents); purified Sal resin standardized to NLT 40% resin acids

Shelf Life: 36 months for resin in sealed containers; 24 months for bark churna; 30 months for extract capsules

Storage: Store below 25 deg C. Resin should be kept in airtight containers to prevent oxidation. Protect from direct sunlight. RH <55%.

Marker Compounds: Alpha-amyrin, Beta-amyrin, Oleanolic acid, Ursolic acid, Asiatic acid, Shorea-phenol

Extraction Methods

  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (60-70% ethanol)
  • Aqueous decoction of bark
  • Resin collection by tapping (Sal resin/Ral)
  • Soxhlet extraction with ethyl acetate for triterpenoid enrichment
  • Cold maceration in sesame oil

Synergistic Combinations

  • Lodhra (astringent synergy for gynecological conditions)
  • Ashoka (uterine tonic formulations)
  • Arjuna (wound healing combinations)
  • Shallaki (anti-inflammatory and bone-support formulations)

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Other clinical studies and reviews2

  1. Mishra G, Meena RK, Kant R and others. 2023. An improved Shorea robusta genomic DNA extraction protocol with high PCR fidelityBiology methods & protocols. PMID 38116323 · doi:10.1093/biomethods/bpad039
  2. Mahmood S, Khan MA, Sarwar M and others. 2006. Chemical treatments to reduce antinutritional factors in salseed (Shorea robusta) meal: effect on nutrient digestibility in colostomized hens and intact broilersPoultry science. PMID 17135678 · doi:10.1093/ps/85.12.2207

Laboratory and animal studies10

  1. Qaiyum MA, Samal PP, Dutta S and others. 2024. Non-conventional, burnt Shorea robusta leaf extract mediated green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles and facile removal of eriochrome black T dye from waterInternational journal of phytoremediation. PMID 37723603 · doi:10.1080/15226514.2023.2256903
  2. Kandel D, Timilsina S, Ayer S and others. 2024. Assessment of Soil Carbon Stock and Soil Quality in Different Forest Stands and Management Regimes in Terai Region of NepalScientifica. PMID 39583941 · doi:10.1155/2024/1739115
  3. Patel C, Thakur K, Shagond L and others. 2023. Effect of Shorea robusta resin extract in 3-nitropropionic acid-induced Huntington's disease symptoms in Sprague-Dawley ratsResearch in pharmaceutical sciences. PMID 37593162 · doi:10.4103/1735-5362.371586
  4. Aryal B, Niraula P, Khadayat K and others. 2021. Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial, and Molecular Profiling of Selected Medicinal PlantsEvidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. PMID 34040646 · doi:10.1155/2021/5510099
  5. Nandy S, Ghosh S, Singh S. 2021. Assessment of sal (Shorea robusta) forest phenology and its response to climatic variables in IndiaEnvironmental monitoring and assessment. PMID 34476606 · doi:10.1007/s10661-021-09356-9
  6. Chattopadhyay D, Ojha D, Mukherjee H and others. 2018. Validation of a traditional preparation against multi-drug resistant Salmonella Typhi and its protective efficacy in S. Typhimurium infected miceBiomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie. PMID 29353202 · doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2018.01.057
  7. Deb JC, Phinn S, Butt N and others. 2017. The impact of climate change on the distribution of two threatened Dipterocarp treesEcology and evolution. PMID 28405287 · doi:10.1002/ece3.2846
  8. Crous PW, Wingfield MJ, Richardson DM and others. 2016. Fungal Planet description sheets: 400-468Persoonia. PMID 27616795 · doi:10.3767/003158516X692185
  9. Yaseen Khan M, Ali SA, Pundarikakshudu K. 2016. Wound healing activity of extracts derived from Shorea robusta resinPharmaceutical biology. PMID 26030465 · doi:10.3109/13880209.2015.1052886
  10. Parkhey S, Naithani SC, Keshavkant S. 2012. ROS production and lipid catabolism in desiccating Shorea robusta seeds during agingPlant physiology and biochemistry : PPB. PMID 22766395 · doi:10.1016/j.plaphy.2012.06.008

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Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.