Butea superba, is commonly known as Lata Palash, Belia Palash in India, and Red Kwao Krua, in Thailand. It is mainly found in Central, and Southern India, China, Vietnam, and hills of Thailand. Red Kwao Khrua is a medicinal plant with tuberous roots. The roots which are the mainly used for medicinal purpose are rejuvenative tonic. Internal use of the roots extract / powder cures mental, and physical weakness.
In Thailand, Butea superba is used traditionally to boost male sexual performance, and prevent erectile dysfunction. Clinical studies, proves it is effective in increasing sperm count, and dramatically treating erectile dysfunction. As it supports better sexual performance in males, it is famous all over the world as Viagra alternative or Herbal Viagra.
Butea Superba products are effective in both internal, and external uses. Internally, powder or capsules can be taken, and externally the gels can be applied.
General Information
Butea superba, is a crawling woody vine that wraps around the large trees. Due to this characteristic it is known as Lata Palash or Bel Palash. It bears flowers of a yellowish orange color. Its roots are long, and tuberous. The fresh tuber yield red sap on cutting.
The dried root powder of Butea superba, is used traditionally for centuries, to improve overall health.
Scientific Classification
The botanical name of Belia palas is Butea superba. It belongs to plant family Papilionaceae / Fabaceae.
Fabaceae is commonly known as pea family, consisting of 670 genera, and nearly 20,000 species of trees, shrubs, vines, and herbs. The tree belonging to this family are distributed throughout the world, and mainly characterized by compound leaves, and the production of fruits known as legumes.
Below is given taxonomical classification of the plant.
- Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
- Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
- Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
- Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
- Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
- Subclass: Rosidae
- Order: Fabales
- Family: Fabaceae ⁄ Leguminosae – Pea family
- Genus: Butea Roxb. ex Willd. – butea
- Species: Butea superba
Part(s) used for medicinal purpose: Bark, Seeds, Flowers, and Roots
Plant type: Woody climber
Distribution: Central-Southern India, China, Vietnam, and hills of Thailand.
Dosage, and Administration
Human efficacy study suggests using daily oral dosages of 500 mg – 2,000 mg dried tuber.
Vernacular names/Synonyms
Latin name: Butea superba
Ayurvedic: Lata-Palash (orange or orange scarlet-flowered var.), Belia palas, Palas-bel
White-flowered var. is equated with Butea parviflora Roxb.
Tamil: Kodi murukkan
Thailand: Red Kwao Krua
English: Climbing Pala
Other Common Names: Kwao Krua RougeButeae, Flamme de la Forêt, Kwao Krua Dang, Butea Gum Tree,
Constituents of Butea superba
Organic acid, sterol, sterol glycoside, falvonoid, flavonoid glycosides.
Benefits of Butea Superba for Male sexual Health
The root powder of the plant are used to increase sexual vigour, and to treat male sexual disorders. Due to high flavonoid, and flavonoid glycoside content, it increases blood flow to male genitals, and thus promotes normal sexual function, and erection which further enhances sensitivity, and performance.
- It is a rejuvenating tonic.
- It gives energy, and stamina.
- It increases spermatogenesis. Six months treatment with the root extract of the plant significantly increases sperm concentration.
- It induces better penis erection by increasing intracavernous pressure.
- It is effective in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
- It increase the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus.
- It supports testosterone synthesis in the testes.
- It increases blood flow to reproductive organs which helps in more frequent, longer lasting, stronger male sexual arousal.
- It has aphrodisiac properties.
In a study, 3 male volunteers aged between 20 to 55, were given to 1.6 gram per day of Butea Superba for 2 months. They showed dramatic penile responses such as induction, and elevation of early morning erection, erection frequency, penis strength, prolongation of erection, post-ejaculation erection, and intercourse frequency. The response was found to be dose-dependent, while a few volunteers felt neck ache, and backache.
Other Benefits, and Uses
- It cures Anemia. For anemia, the fresh bark of the plant are used. The bark is crushed to get the extract. This extract is taken in a dose of 3 ml for half month to cure anemia.
- The oil obtained from the seeds have antiparasitic, and blood pressure lowering effect.
- The plant contains ß-sitosterol which lowers cholesterol levels, and relieve symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate gland).
- It is also used in painful urination, fever, and diarrhea.
- The paste of leaves of is applied topically on cuts, boils, and wounds.
- The paste of roots is applied on skin diseases, eczema, and fractured bones.
- The root powder is given to increase breast milk in mew mother after child birth.
- The flowers yield yellow dye.
Availability in Market
Butea superba containing capsules, and Gel, are available in market (as male sexual enhancement product) to support better sexual performance in males by treating weaker sexual stamina, sensitivity, and poor erection.
Butea superba Capsules contain extract of this plant along with other medicinal herbs. The capsules are taken in a dose of 1-2 capsules, twice a day after breakfast, and dinner to improve sex drive, cure erectile dysfunction ED, premature ejaculation, and for improving sperm count, and male fertility.
The gel available in market, is applied on whole penis twice a day, in morning, and at night, and rubbed till it is absorbed. This is done to get better erection, and improve sexual performance.
Side effects
- It increase the testosterone levels, and hence should be used by underage person.
- It increases blood flow, and therefore should not be used in hypertension, severe chest pain, and other heart diseases.
- It should be taken in the recommended dosage only.
- The oral toxicological study using 90-day animal dosing reported adverse changes in hepatic function (increased levels of serum alkaline phosphatase, and aspartate aminotransferase), the androgen milieu (decreased serum the testosterone level), and enlarged spleen, with a dose-dependent effect.