Sal Resin for Bleeding Disorders

Does Sal Resin help with bleeding disorders? Classical Ayurveda says it does. The Bhavaprakash Nighantu (Varga 2) describes it as used mainly to heal wounds and stop bleeding, and records that it is taken internally for bleeding disorders. It lists hemostatic (Raktastambhana), "that which stops the flow of blood," among its actions.

Ayurveda groups bleeding problems under Raktapitta (Raktapitta), literally "blood and heat," where aggravated Pitta, the body's heat principle, pushes blood out of its channels. Sal Resin, also called Dammar, fits the classical response: it is astringent and sweet in taste with a cold potency.

The limit is practical. Our sources give no dose for internal use, and most of its classical use is external, on wounds and fractures. That makes it a remedy for a practitioner to prescribe, after a doctor has found the cause of the bleeding.

Classical treatment of bleeding disorders rests on cooling the excess heat in the blood (Rakta Dhatu) and on astringent action that tones the vessels so blood stays where it belongs. Sal Resin covers both.

Astringent and binding

Its taste is astringent (Kashaya Rasa), the puckering, drying taste that tightens tissue. That is why Ayurveda uses it to close wounds and check bleeding. It is also absorbent (Grahi), binding loose stools, the same holding action turned on the gut.

Cold and sweet

Its potency is cold (Sheeta Virya) and its post-digestive effect is sweet (Madhura Vipaka), which together settle Pitta heat. Its qualities are heavy (Guru) and unctuous (Snigdha).

Its chemistry includes resin acids such as dammarenolic and shoreic acid, plus a volatile oil. Our sources do not report studies on these compounds for bleeding.

The Bhavaprakash Nighantu describes two routes for bleeding: on the skin for bleeding wounds, and internally for bleeding disorders. It does not record a dose, a vehicle to take it with (Anupana) or a course length for either.

Rather than invent numbers, we leave these blank. Classical texts rarely use Sal Resin alone, and internal use should be prescribed by a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner.

Check the product

Look for resin labeled Shorea robusta, sold as Raal, Dhuna or Dammar. Resin sold for incense or fumigation is not prepared for internal use.

Before you start

Deep wounds and heavy, recurrent or unexplained bleeding need medical care first. If you take blood thinners, do not add a herbal hemostatic without your physician's knowledge.

If you want to explore Sal Resin for bleeding disorders, the simplest starting point is a practitioner visit, with the product in hand.

Best form: pure Sal Resin powder from an Ayurvedic supplier, labeled Shorea robusta. The classical texts use it on bleeding wounds and internally for bleeding, but give no dose, so a practitioner should decide how it is prepared and how much you take.

Find Sal Resin on Amazon ↗ Raal Powder ↗

Safety first: do not take Sal Resin internally without a practitioner, and see a physician for any unexplained bleeding, bleeding in pregnancy, or bleeding while on blood thinners.