Medicinal herbs of Chhattisgarh, India having less known traditional uses 64. Peela Gulmohar (Peltophorum pterocarpum, family : Ceasalpiniaceae)

Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia
© 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved

According to reference literatures, Peltophorum is not a native to Chhattisgarh. It is planted as Avenue tree in Chhattisgarh. I have seen this tree in almost all parts of Chhattisgarh. Although it is not true Gulmohar (Delonix regia) but the natives have named it Peela (Yellow flowered) Gulmohar. The natives are fond of its bright yellow flowers. They are not aware of its medicinal properties and uses. Most of the healers are also not aware of its uses as medicine. Through the ethnobotanical surveys conducted in different parts of Chhattisgarh, I have collected few but important information on its traditional medicinal uses. The traditional healers use the leaves of Peltophorum in form of decoction, to wash the unhealthy skin. It is commonly used in treatment of skin troubles. The healers use its fresh leaves also for this purpose. It is frequently used in treatment of ringworm. The traditional healers use this herb as major ingredient in popular herbal combinations used internally in treatment of constipation. The healers of Southern Chhattisgarh, use the leaf decoction in treatment of stomatitis. The patients are advised to gargle with this decoction. Its bark is also used for this purpose. The healers of Chhattisgarh Plains use its flower in treatment of insomnia. The aqueous extract of fresh flowers is massaged on soles before going to sleep. According to the healers, it induces good sleep. This is really surprising that the information on its medicinal uses and properties have not been mentioned in reference literatures related to different systems of medicine in India. As it is introduced herb, possibly due to this reason the ancient researchers have not studied and included this herb in literatures. I am proud to write that the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh welcomed this herb and discovered its medicinal properties and uses. The great sign is that they are using it in their regular practice. I am describing its botany, I have noted from reference literatures. Botanically, Peltophorum (Syn. P. ferrugineum syn. Inga pterocarpum) is large beautiful evergreen trees with smooth grey bark; young branches reddish brown, tomentose; Leaves bipinnate, rachis 15-30 cm long, pinnae 8-10 pairs; leaflets 10-15 pairs, obliquely oblong, notched at the apex and unequal sided; Flowers yellow, fragrant, in large erect terminal panicled racemes, rusty tomentose. Petals 5, roundish, wrinkled, with long ferruginous hairs on the back. Pods thin, 5-10 cm long, coppery red, flat winged along both the structures; seeds 1-3, brown. Flowering and fruiting times August to May in Chhattisgarh conditions. Through this article, I would like to request the researchers of different parts of the world where Peltophorum grows naturally, to document the traditional knowledge about this herb so that we can arrange the meets of the healers to share the wide experiences and knowledge among them.

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