Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Shalmali

Bombax ceiba

Shalmali (Bombax ceiba) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Mucilaginous polysaccharides from the gum (Mocharasa) are not systemically absorbed but exert local GI effects. Tannins from bark have low systemic bioavailability but significant topical and local GI activity.

Key facts
Botanical nameBombax ceiba
FamilyMalvaceae · other entries in this family
OrderMalvales
Taxon identifiersGBIF 3152226 · Wikidata Q13399160 · NCBI Taxonomy 45325

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishShalmali

Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

PropertyValueDescription
Rasa (Taste)KashayaPrimary taste
Guna (Quality)Snigdha, GuruPhysical quality
Virya (Potency)SheetaHeating/Cooling effect
Vipaka (Post-digestive)MadhuraPost-digestive effect

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kwatha (decoction), Mocharasa (gum/exudate), Capsule, Taila (medicated oil), Lepa (paste), Vati (tablet)

Standard Dosage: 3-6 g bark/flower powder per day; 1-3 g Mocharasa (gum) per day; 50-100 mL kwatha twice daily; 500 mg extract capsule twice daily

Bioavailability: Flavonoid glycosides (shamimicin, quercetin derivatives) show moderate bioavailability (20-35%). Mucilaginous polysaccharides from the gum (Mocharasa) are not systemically absorbed but exert local GI effects. Tannins from bark have low systemic bioavailability but significant topical and local GI activity.

Optimal Timing: Before meals for astringent action; Mocharasa with honey for diarrhea/dysentery; flower stamens with milk or sugar for reproductive health

Standardized Extract: Bark extract (8:1 in 50% ethanol), standardized to NLT 5% total tannins by hide-powder method and NLT 2% total flavonoids; Mocharasa purified gum with swelling index NLT 5 mL/g

Shelf Life: 24 months for churna; 36 months for Mocharasa in sealed containers; 30 months for capsules

Storage: Mocharasa in airtight containers with desiccant — highly hygroscopic. Churna and capsules below 25 deg C, protected from moisture. RH <50% for gum preparations.

Marker Compounds: Shamimicin, Quercetin, Kaempferol, Gallic acid, Lupeol, Beta-sitosterol, Mangiferin (in some varieties)

Extraction Methods

  • Aqueous decoction of bark and flowers
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (50-60% ethanol)
  • Gum collection by tapping (Mocharasa)
  • Cold maceration of flowers in water
  • Soxhlet extraction with ethanol for flavonoid enrichment

Synergistic Combinations

  • Lodhra (uterine astringent synergy — Raktapradara)
  • Ashoka (gynecological tonic formulations)
  • Nagakeshara (hemostatic combinations)
  • Shatavari (female reproductive health 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 reviews1

  1. Kumari N, Radha, Puri S and others. 2025. Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Bombax ceiba L. Flowers as Source of Functional Food Development: A ReviewChemistry & biodiversity. PMID 40825150 · doi:10.1002/cbdv.202500247

Laboratory and animal studies11

  1. Paradee N, Saengratwatchara P, Srichairatanakool S and others. 2026. Bombax ceiba flower extract enhances antioxidant defense and wound healing effects in human keratinocytes and fibroblastsPharmaceutical biology. PMID 41995694 · doi:10.1080/13880209.2026.2655481
  2. Aziz N, Alhajouj SA, Basit A and others. 2025. Green synthesis and antibacterial activity of silver and gold nanoparticles using crude flavonoids extracted from Bombax ceiba flowersCellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France). PMID 39976903 · doi:10.14715/cmb/2025.71.2.18
  3. Shao L, Jin S, Chen J and others. 2024. High-quality genomes of Bombax ceiba and Ceiba pentandra provide insights into the evolution of Malvaceae species and differences in their natural fiber developmentPlant communications. PMID 38321741 · doi:10.1016/j.xplc.2024.100832
  4. Safdar M, Aslam S, Akram M and others. 2023. Bombax ceiba flower extract mediated synthesis of Se nanoparticles for antibacterial activity and urea detectionWorld journal of microbiology & biotechnology. PMID 36646906 · doi:10.1007/s11274-022-03513-z
  5. Wang L, Xie S, Jiang X and others. 2023. Therapeutic effects of Bombax ceiba flower aqueous extracts against loperamide-induced constipation in micePharmaceutical biology. PMID 36582187 · doi:10.1080/13880209.2022.2157841
  6. Posinasetty B, Chikatipalli R, Chenchula S and others. 2023. Anti-arthritic efficacy of Bombax ceiba ethanolic extract in a murine model for rheumatoid arthritis using in vivo, in vitro and radiological analysisBioinformation. PMID 37908617 · doi:10.6026/97320630019833
  7. Komati A, Anand A, Nagendla NK and others. 2022. Bombax ceiba calyx displays antihyperglycemic activity via improving insulin secretion and sensitivity: Identification of bioactive phytometabolomes by UPLC-QTof-MS/MSJournal of food science. PMID 35279832 · doi:10.1111/1750-3841.16093
  8. Xiang WQ, Malabrigo PL Jr, Tang L and others. 2022. Limited-Distance Pollen Dispersal and Low Paternal Diversity in a Bird-Pollinated Self-Incompatible TreeFrontiers in plant science. PMID 35283871 · doi:10.3389/fpls.2022.806217
  9. Bhargava S, Shah MB. 2020. Evaluation of efficacy of Bombax ceiba extract and its major constituent, mangiferin in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic ratsJournal of complementary & integrative medicine. PMID 32941163 · doi:10.1515/jcim-2020-0027
  10. Gao Y, Wang H, Liu C and others. 2018. The complete mitochondrial genome of Bombax ceibaMitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources. PMID 33474157 · doi:10.1080/23802359.2018.1437814
  11. Xu GK, Sun CY, Qin XY and others. 2017. Effects of ethanol extract of Bombax ceiba leaves and its main constituent mangiferin on diabetic nephropathy in miceChinese journal of natural medicines. PMID 28939022 · doi:10.1016/S1875-5364(17)30087-0

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