Multiple magical benefits of Shallaki (Loban). Image Courtesy – Flickr
What is Shalaki or Loban?
The bark of the Shallaki tree is ash-colored. Its leaves are like neem leaves. Shallaki plant is about 18 meters tall, medium to large in size. This tree has spreading branches and lots of leaves. Its stem is gummed and the bark is gray, smooth, and thin. The bark is reddish yellow or greenish-white in color and leaves like paper.
Gum Resin is derived from tree extract and has been used for centuries. The resin collected from the extract of the tree contains many derivatives of boswellic acid. It contains β-boswellic acid, acetyl-β-boswellic acid, acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid, and 11-keto-β-boswellic acid.
The Shallaki tree has been known to be a very popular herb. The herb is named after the Scottish botanist John Boswell. The scientific name of Shallaki or Loban is ‘Boswellia serrata’. This tree is found in dry hilly areas of India, North Africa, and Middle Eastern countries. But different species of Boswellia are found everywhere. The main species of Boswellia grows in India and is found especially in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan.
Sallaki is also called Loban. It is used to burn incense during the rituals of worship in the houses in the Indian subcontinent. A lot of people know about it and have also used it many times. It is also a very good herb. Due to the magical benefits of Shallaki it has been used for curing many diseases. According to Ayurveda, the use of Shalaki is beneficial in many diseases including joint pain and inflammatory problems, leucorrhea, constipation, and hemorrhoids, etc.
Shalaki is pungent, bitter and astringent in taste. It is easy to digest. It cures Vata, Pitta, Kapha. It connects broken bones also. In wounds, obesity, vaginal disorders, dysentery, etc.
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Shallaki has various names in various languages:
English – Indian olibanum, Clibanum, White dammer, Indian frankincense
Sanskrit – Shallaki, Wallaki
Hindi – Loban
Urdu – Kundur, Lobana
Oriya – Loban
Bengali – Kundur, Sallei
Punjabi – Salhi
Marathi – Sallai
Arabic – Bastaj, Kundur
Gum resin from Shallaki can help reduce pain and stiffness. Image Courtesy – Healthunbox
Benefits of Shallaki in Arthritis:
Shallaki is an ayurvedic plant that contains inflammation-reducing triterpenoids. This acid is effective for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and back pain. It is beneficial in preventing inflammation of tissue and breakdown of connective tissue. The gum resin from the Shallaki, can help reduce pain and stiffness. Research also suggests that it can be taken orally for pain and inflammation. Apart from this, cream is also made from this.
Benefits of Shallaki or Loban in Stress:
The gum resin has stress-reducing properties. Smelling the smoke of Boswellia serrata resins reduces your stress. Pour hot coal into a burner and sprinkle frankincense over it. Then smell its smoke. It helps in reducing stress. It also provides strength to the nerves of the brain which helps in preventing stress.
Benefits of Shallaki in Respiratory Disease:
Combine some amount of pure ghee in fine powder of Shallaki and Guggulu and burn it. Smelling this smoke has benefits in the problem of breathlessness.
Combine ghee and honey in 2-4 grams of Shalaki powder. Consuming the mixture stops breathing problem.
Cholesterol management:
Boswellia serrata also has cholesterol-lowering properties. In a study, where 60 type-2 diabetic patients of both sexes were given 900 mg of Boswellia serrata extract for a period of 6 weeks. The result that was observed – their HDL Cholesterol levels increased significantly and LDL Cholesterol levels decreased.
Shallaki in ulcerative colitis treatment:
Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis are both types of bowel inflammation that can be treated with this herbal gum resin. One research found Boswellia serrata to be as effective as the drug used to treat Crohn’s disease but with few side effects. Boswellia can improve symptoms of ulcerative colitis, such as abdominal pain and blood in the stool.
