Pharmacognosy is the science of identification of natural drugs and their physical, botanical and chemical properties. In addition, medicinally active secondary metabolites of plants have afforded a phytochemical foundation on which the subject is now being considered. India has a long tradition of the use of drugs derived from plants in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. It has been stated that over 2000 plants grow in India which have medicinal properties in which maximum species are found in wild state and some are cultivated.

Sala (Shorea robusta) which is easily available and frequently found in several formulations with special emphasis on twak vikara to evaluate its multidimensional qualities and to assess the efficacy of resin in the management of wound. Sal as a sal tree was identified in Atharvaveda kala. It resin pacifies kaphaj roga. Krimi roga, vidradhi, skin diseases etc.

In Charak Samhita Sal is mentioned as Shal, Aswakarna, Sarja, Sarjarasa. These are the synon-yms of shal.  It is a constituent of Vedanasthapana mahakashaya and Udarprashmana mahakashaya. It is mentioned in Chandanadi taila in Jwara Chikitsa, Urahkshata Chikitsa, Kshatkshina Chikitsa.

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Dr Raman Ranjan

MD (Ay), AMO, GAD, Raigarh

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