Red Kwao Krua(Butea superba) Medicinal Uses Details

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 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 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 plant is 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.

1. It is a rejuvenating tonic.
2. It gives energy and stamina.
3. It increases spermatogenesis. Six months treatment with the root extract of plant significantly increases sperm concentration.
4. It induces better penis erection by increasing intracavernous pressure.
5. It is effective in treatment of erectile dysfunction.
6. It increase the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus.
7. It supports testosterone synthesis in the testes.
8. It increases blood flow to reproductiveorgans which helps in more frequent, longer lasting, stronger male sexual arousal.
9. 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

1. It cures Anemia. For anemia, the fresh bark of the plant is used. The bark is crushed to get the extract. This extract is taken in dose of 3 ml for half month to cure anemia.
2. The oil obtained from the seeds have antiparasitic and blood pressure lowering effect.
3. The plant contains ß-sitosterol which lowers cholesterol levels and relieve symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate gland).
4. It is also used in painful urination, fever and diarrhea.
5. The paste of leaves of is applied topically on cuts, boils and wounds.
6. The paste of roots is applied on skin diseases, eczema and fractured bones.
7. The root powder is given to increase breast milk in mew mother after child birth.
8. 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 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

1. It increase testosterone levels and hence should be used by underage person.
2. It increases blood flow and therefore should not be used in hypertension, severe chest pain, and other heart diseases.
3. It should be taken in recommended dosage only.
4. 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 testosterone level) and enlarged spleen, with a dose-dependent effect.