Ral – Uses, Qualities, Indications, Dose, Side Effects

Ral is the gum extracted from Sal tree (Shaala). It is the astringent Ayurvedic medicine widely used in diarrhoea, dysentery, skin diseases, stops bleeding, heal wounds, herpes, burn wounds, fractures etc.

Sal Tree
Botanical name : Shorea robusta
Family : Dipterocarpaceae

Vernacular, Sanskrit verse

Names in different languages:
Hindi Name – Raal, Raar
Sanskrit Name – Rala
Bengali Name – Ral, Dammer
Gujrathi Name – Raal
Punjabi Name – Raal arlu
English Name – Shorea robusta resin , Sal dammar, Indian dammar

Qualities, Uses

Medicinal Qualities of Rala
Rasa (taste) – Tiktha (bitter), Kashaya (astringent)
Virya (potency) – shitha (Cold)
Guna (qualities) – Guru – heavy to digest, Snigdha (unctuous)
Karma (action) – Grahi – absorbent, Sthambana – styptic in nature

Indications of Rala
Blood disorders
Excess sweating
Visarpa – herpes
Vrana – It cleanses the wound and hastens its healing process.
Vipadika – cracks in palms or soles with pain
Graha – psychiatric disorders
Bhagna – fractures
Agnidagda – Burn wounds
Jwara – fever
Cough, Asthma
Shoola – abdominal colic
Atisara – diarrhoea
Kandu – itching
Sphota – blisters
Bleeding haemorrhoids

Effect of rala on Tridoshas
Vatapittahara – Balances vata and pitta dosha

Chemistry, controversy

Rala chemical constituents
It is composed of chemicals like hydroxyanone, dammarenediol II, Ursolic acid etc

Controversy
Sarja rasa or sarjaniryasa refers to gum extracted from Copal tree – Vateria indica
Rala is gum extracted from Sal tree

How to get gum extract

How To obtain gum extract from Sal Tree?
A white viscous substance oozes out from sal tree when few strips of bark is removed. On exposure it hardens and change to brown colour. It is collected after 10 to 12 days. Again the substance oozes out and the procedure is repeated.
This gum extract can be collected several times in a year.

Features of Sal dammar
Color – Yellow to brown color
Odour – aromatic
Nature – Brittle
Opaque

Usage of Rala

In arthritic pain it can be applied mixing with egg white.
It is given internally to treat diarrhoea.
Due to its wound healing, styptic and antipruritic property it is used in herbal ointments and oils which are used in skin diseases, cut and burn wounds.
Taking rala along with milk has aphrodisiac effect.

Interaction with medicines, supplements

Can this be used while taking Homeopathic medicine?
Yes. This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.

Can this medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin tablets, Omega 3 fatty acids etc?
Yes. Generally, this product goes well with most of the dietary supplements. However, if you are taking more than one product per day, please consult your doctor for an opinion.

With western medicines
Seek your doctor’s advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic / modern) medicines. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is best to take Allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes and then take the Ayurvedic medicine.

Dose, side effects, medicines

Side Effects of Rala
There are no known side effects.
Due to its astringent property, high oral dose can cause constipation.

Dose of Rala
1 – 3 grams in divided dose per day

Ayurvedic Medicines containing Ral
Shweta Malaham – It is an Ayurvedic ointment used in burn wounds,
abscess and non healing wounds.
GP Ointment – It is mainly in skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, acne, pigmentation etc. It relieves itching, bacterial and fungal infection.
Dadhar Ointment – Used in bacterial and fungal skin infections, eczema, ring worm, dermatitis etc
Chandanadi Vati  – Used in diabetes and relieves burning sensation
Dysentrol Tablet – Used in diarrhoea, Amoebiasis
Panchgun Tail  – This herbal oil is used in rheumatoid arthritis, osteo arthritis, ear ache, and non healing wounds.
Karpooradi Arka – It is the liquid form medicine used in digestive ailments,  anorexia, bad breath, obesity, high cholesterol levels and heart diseases.
Arshonyl Tablet – Used in piles, anal fissures and fistula

Distribution, research, category

Distribution of Sal Tree
Sal tree is grown in India, Nepal and Bangladesh. In India it is widely found in foothills of the Himalayas, Assam, Bengal and Jharkhand.
Read – Sal Tree – Shorea robusta – Ayurveda Details And Health Benefits

Research on gum extract of Shorea robusta:
A study conducted on wound healing effect of extracts derived from
Shorea robusta resin have concluded that benzene insoluble fraction of methanol extract and essential oil of Shorea robusta resin have significant wound healing activity.(read)

Classical categorisation of Raal
Bhavaprakasha – Karpuradi varga
Kaiyadeva Nighantu – Aushadi varga
Dhanvantari Nigantu – Chandanadi varga
Raja Nighatu – Chandanadi varga

Sanskrit synonyms of Rala
Rala, Shaalaniryasa
Sarjarasa, Sarjaras,
Shaala, Shaala rasa
Devadhupa, Yakshadhupa – it has good fragrance and used as incense stick
Sarvarasa

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