Sal (Shorea robusta)

October 30th, 2007

Common and popular names of Sal (Shorea robusta) around the world.
Languages/Regions/Countries Names:
1) Arabic Kai kahr
2) Bengal Sakher, Sakhu, Sakhua, Sal, Salwa, Sala
3) Myanmar Enkhyen
4) Kanarese Asina, Asu, Asvakarna, Gugglu, Kabbu
5) English Common Sal, Indian Dammer, Sal Tree
6) Gujarati Ral
7) Hindi Sal, Sala, Shal, Salwa, Sakher

Malyalam Maramaram, Mulappumarutu
9) Marathi Guggilu, Rala
10) Nepal Sakwa
11) Sanskrit Agnivallabha, Ashvakarna, Chiraparna, Cirgaparna, Sala, Sarja, Jaranadruma
12) Tamil Attam, Kungiliyam, Shalam
13) Sinhalese Dammala
14) Telugu Guggilamu, Saluva, Sarjmu
15) Urdu Ral
16) Uriya Rengal, Sugua, Salo, Salwa, Sorjja

Sal (Shorea robusta) is a species of tree native to southern Asia, ranging south of the Himalaya, from Myanmar in the east to India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. In India it extends from Assam, Bengal and Jharkhand west to the Shivalik Hills in Haryana, east of the Yamuna. The range also extends through the Eastern Ghats and to the eastern Vindhya and Satpura ranges of central India. It is often the dominant tree in the forests where it occurs.

Sal is moderate to slow growing, and can attain heights of 30 to 35 m and a trunk diameter of up to 2-2.5 m. The leaves are 10-25 cm long and 5-15 cm broad. In wetter areas, it is evergreen; in drier areas, it is dry-season deciduous, shedding most of the leaves in between February to April, leafing out again in April and May.

Uses:
Sal is one of the most important sources of hardwood timber in India, with hard, coarse-grained wood that is light in colour when freshly cut, and becoming dark brown with exposure. The wood is resinous and durable, and is sought after for construction, although not well suited to planing and polishing.

Sal resin is burned as incense in Hindu ceremonies, and sal seeds and fruit are a source of lamp oil and vegetable fat.

Sal trees are also economically valuable for the many non-timber forest product they yield.
Tapping the tree yields a white opalin oleoresin (aromatic gum), variously known as ‘Sal damar’, ‘Rhal’, ‘Ral’, ‘Guggal’, ‘Laldhuna’, ‘Dhoom’, etc. It has a great variety of uses, which include making paints and varnishes, incense (popular in Hindu homes during religious ceremonies), caulking boats and ships, a plastering medium for walls and roofs, a cementing material for asbestos and plywood sheets, medical uses such as a skin ointment, making carbon paper and type writer ribbon, and so on.
The leaves have many different uses as well! They have always been used for serving and carrying food in a variety of ways. They are collected and made into platters, bowls, cups, often lacquered. They are also used for making plates and small baskets to serve dry foods. Tribal people have used the leaves for preparing rice cakes and for smoking. Distilled leaves produce an oil used in perfumery and for flavouring chewing and smoking tobacco.
Quantities of lopped leaves can be used as roughage for cattle. Fallen leaves make a good fertiliser and are collected for this purpose.
In addition the seeds have been used as animal fodder in the form of pressed seedcakes. Like many tree products these cakes contains tannins (5-8%) and furthermore the protein in them tends to remain undigested. Nevertheless it is very useful to supply a portion of the dietary energy demands of animals. It can be used for cattle as 20% of their concentrates. The seedcakes may be given to pigs and poultry up to 10% of their daily rations with good results.

The many pressures on Sal forests (such as over-exploitation, deforestation, excessive leaf-litter collection, encroachment, inconsiderate collection medicinal supplies and fodder, other form of human interference) have been added to in recent years by an increase in the appearance of the Sal-borer (Hoplocerambyx spinicornis), whose attacks since 1997 in India has destroyed many thousands of trees.

Herbal & Ayurvedic Use:
Like the oleoresin, the roots and the fruits, the leaves too have medicinal qualities. An interesting cultural use of the leaves is their employment as marriage invitations. The folded Sal leaves are given with a little bit of turmeric and a few rice grains inside.

For the sure cure for piles and constipation …The use of gum from Sal (Shorea robusta) tree is a best remedy. Take a banana, make a cut so that a teaspoonful of gum can be put inside keep it whole night and next morning eat it empty stomach. Within a week you will get rid from both problems. This unique use, have been tried and got success in most of the cases.

Last but not least we come to the fruits and seeds of this useful tree.
The fruits have been ground by poor people into flour to ward off starvation and the pounded fruits have been given to people suffering from diarrhoeal diseases. The oil pressed from the seeds is edible and has been known as Sal butter. It can be used for cooking, as well as for burning in simple oil lamps and has often been used to adulterate ghee (clarified butter).

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://www.botanical.com/site/column_poudhia/26_field_workers.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sal
http://www.the-tree.org.uk/Sacred%20Grove/Buddhism/bodhi7.htm