Gul Kesu | Gul Tesu | Butea Monosprma | گل کیسو | گل ٹیسو

Latin: Butea Monosprma

English: Flame of the Forest, Butea gum tree

Urdu: Gul kesu, Gul Tesu

Hindi name: Dhak, Tesu

Butea monosperma, commonly called flame-of-the-forest or bastard teak, is a medium sized deciduous tree of the pea family that is native to humid lowland forested areas of India and Sri Lanka. It typically matures to 30-40’ tall. This tree features: (a) leathery medium to dark green compound trifoliate leaves (to 10-18” wide), each having three rhombus-shaped leaflets held by a long petiole; (b) leaf drop occurring in early winter; (c) black flower buds forming in mid-winter on leafless stems; (c) bicolor orange/red flowers (each to 2” long) blooming in dense clusters (racemes to 6” long) from late January to March; (d) flowers giving way to fruits (flat single-seeded pods to 3-4” long) which emerge pale green but mature to bronze-brown.

Flowers of Palash (Tesu ke Phool) were used in ancient India in beauty care recipes to improve complexion, suppleness of the skin and disorders of female reproductive organs. Seeds are applied for the treatment of worm infestations and allergic skin conditions.

Flowers often produce an outstanding late winter bloom. Each flower has 5 petals, two wings and a beak-shaped keel purportedly resembling a curved parrot’s beak. Trees may not flower if winters are too cold or too dry or too wet.

Butea seeds, leaves, gum, and flowers all have medicinal properties.

Genus name honors John Stuart the third Earl of Bute (1713-1792).

Specific epithet means one-seeded.

Flame-of-the-forest common name is in reference to the orange and red flower colors which purportedly mimic the colors of fire.

Medicinal benefits of Tesu plant:

1. Treatment for Eye disorders

• Put a drop of the extract of its fresh root, regularly in eyes.
• It cures all kinds of eye disorders.
• It also controls cataract, night blindness and similar types of eye problem.

2. Stops Nasal bleeding

• Soak its 5-7 flowers in water, overnight.
• Next morning, strain the solution and add a little amount of sugar in it.
• Give it to the patient.
• It stops nasal bleeding.

3. As an Appetizer

• Give 4-5 drops of extract of its fresh roots, with the leaf of nut-grass.
• It increases the appetite.

4. For Contraception

• Burn its seeds and add half amount of asfoetida in it.
• Grind them together to form a powder.
• Give 2-3 gm of this powder immediately at the start of the mentrual cycle, and continue for a few days after that.
• It destroys the conceiving ability of a woman.

5. Treats Flatulence

• Give 3-40 ml decoction of its bark and dry ginger powder twice a day.
• It cures swelling of the stomach, caused by indigestion or accumulation of wind.

6. Aids in Piles

• Take 10-20 gm ash of its whole plant and give this to the patient with warm ghee.
• It is beneficial in bleeding piles.
• Take its fresh leaves and smear them with ghee.
• Give this to the patient with cream of curd.

7. Cures Diarrhoea

• Take 625 mg to 2 gm of its gum and mix a little amount of cinnamon and very little poppy in it.
• Give this to the patient.
• It is an instant and immediate cure for diarrhea.
• Or, give 1 teaspoon decoction of its seeds with teaspoon goat milk, after meals thrice a day.
• It is beneficial in diarrhea.
• During the treatment, only goat’s milk and rice should be eaten.

8. Gives relief in Joint pain

• Apply the paste of its seed with honey on the painful area.
• It gives relief in Joint pain.

9. Treats wound fast

• Sprinkle the powder of its gum on the wound.
• It gives faster relief.

10. Cures Urinary disorders

• Pluck its closed buds and shade them dry.
• Grind and strain them, then add jaggery to it.
• Give 9 gm of this mixture to the patient every morning.
• It cures all sort of urinary disorders.

11. Arrests Aging

• Give 1 teaspoon powder of its shade dried whole plant with ghee and honey mixed in it.
• Give this twice a day.
• It makes the person healthy, free from any diseases and disorders.
• It also arrests aging.

12. Good for Eczema

• Grind its seeds with lemon juice and apply on the affected area.
• It is beneficial for curing eczema and itching.

13. Ends pregnancy with a healthy child

• Grind its soft, fresh leaves in cow’s milk.
• Give 2 teaspoons of this along with cow’s milk to the pregnant woman.
• It results in the birth of a healthy child.

14. Treats Nodular boil

• Tie the poultice of its leaves on the tumor.
• Give 3-5 gm of the inner bark of its root with milk to the patient.

15. Enhances the Sexual vigor

• Give 5-6 drops of the extract of its root, twice a day.
• It stops the involuntary flow of semen and also enhances the sexual vigor.
• Use 2-4 drops of its seed oil to massage the organs.
• Within a few days, it cures impotency and promotes sexual vigor.