"Raal / Ral (commonly called Sal, Shorea robusta Gaertn. f.) is a large, sub-deciduous to semi-evergreen hardwood tree of the family Dipterocarpaceae. It is native to the Indian subcontinent (India, Nepal, Bangladesh and adjacent regions). The tree is highly valued for its durable timber, oleo-resin (known as “Raal” or “Sal resin”), and its significant role in traditional medicine. In Ayurveda and folk medicine, it is recognized for its wound-healing, astringent, anti-inflammatory, and digestive health-promoting properties.
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Scientific Classification
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Clade / Phylum: Angiosperms
- Class: Eudicots
- Order: Malvales
- Family: Dipterocarpaceae
- Genus: Shorea
- Species: Shorea robusta Gaertn. f.
Common Names
- English: Sal tree, Indian dammar
- Sanskrit: Shala, Śālavṛkṣa
- Hindi: Sal, Sakhua
- Bengali: Shaal
- Regional/Trade Name: Raal / Ral (referring to its oleo-resin)
Traditional and Medicinal Uses
- Wound Healing and Skin Disorders - Resin and bark are used for ulcers, eczema, wounds, and skin eruptions due to their antimicrobial and astringent properties.
- Gastrointestinal Health - Traditionally employed as an astringent for diarrhea, dysentery, and bleeding disorders.
- Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic - Applied in rheumatic pain, swelling, and inflammatory conditions.
- Respiratory and ENT Health - Used for cough, earache, and related local ailments.
References
Soni, R.K., Dixit, V., Irchhaiya, R., et al. (2013). A review update on Shorea robusta Gaertn. f. (Sal). Journal of Drug Delivery & Therapeutics, 3(6), 127–132.
Poornima, B., et al. (2009). Comparative phytochemical analysis of Shorea robusta resin collected in different seasons. Journal of Pharmacy Research.
Wani, T.A., et al. (2012). Analgesic activity of the ethanolic extract of Shorea robusta resin. Indian Journal of Pharmacology. PMID: 23087512.
Marandi, R.R., Britto, S.J., Soreng, P.K. (2015). Phytochemical profiling, antibacterial screening and antioxidant properties of Shorea robusta. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 7(7), 2874–2888.
Musa, A., et al. (2023). Phytochemical and pharmacological profile of genus Shorea: a review. Frontiers in Pharmacology.
The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Part I, Volume III. Govt. of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Department of Health.
Merish, S., Tamizhamuthu, M., Walter, T.M. Review of Shorea robusta with special reference to Traditional Siddha Medicine. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry.
Phytochemical Standardization of Oleo Resin of Shorea robusta. International Journal of Pharmacy, 2012.
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