Lecture on the Semal Tree in the Indian Knowledge System at National Seminar

Udaipur: A one-day national online conference titled “Indian Knowledge System in Botany: Roots of Wisdom” was organized on the Zoom platform on Monday, March 23, 2026, by Loknete Vyankatrao Hiray Arts, Science and Commerce College, Nashik (Maharashtra). At the start, the college principal, Dr. B.S. Jagdale, welcomed all the dignitaries and emphasized the need for in-depth research on the concept of the Indian Knowledge System.

In one of the technical sessions, Dr. Vartika Jain, Associate Professor in the Department of Botany at Government Meera Kanya College, Udaipur, Rajasthan, was invited as the keynote speaker to deliver a lecture on “The Semal Tree in the Indian Knowledge System.”

Dr. Jain elaborated on the spiritual, commercial, ecological, ethnomedicinal, and socio-cultural significance of the multipurpose Semal tree (Bombax ceiba). She explained that every part of the tree—root, stem, leaves, flowers, fruit, gum, seeds, cotton, thorns, and bark—has medicinal or practical value. Current research also shows encouraging effects of Semal in managing diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. Traditionally, the tree has been used to treat urinary disorders, impotence, diabetes, diarrhea, gastrointestinal issues, acne, and other ailments. Dr. Jain noted that modern scientific studies have validated this traditional knowledge.

Several important bioactive compounds have been identified in Semal, including mangiferin, shermmisin, epigenin, kaempferol, beta-sitosterol, and lupeol, which are pharmacologically significant for treating various ailments. Ongoing research has confirmed the tree’s diverse medicinal properties.

In her virtual lecture, Dr. Jain highlighted that the Semal tree, like an umbrella, provides shelter for various animals and birds. As one of the five sacred trees in Panchvati, the Semal tree attracts beneficial microflora and contributes to an environment conducive to spiritual practices. Its roots help in water retention, and its wood is widely used across India for making matches, boats, coffins, spoons, and prosthetic feet. The silky cotton from the tree is used in mattresses, pillows, cushions, quilts, and soundproof walls, and historically, its wood was used in fort construction. Its seeds produce oil, and dried flowers hold medicinal value.

Dr. Jain also noted that different communities incorporate the Semal tree into festivals, rituals, folk songs, and games. In southern Rajasthan, the tree is central to the Neja Utharna ritual, while in Udaipur city, it is burned in Holika Dahan as a symbol of Prahlad. For the past 18 years, the Society for Microvita Research and Integrated Medicine (SMRIM), Udaipur, has been working on Semal conservation, including collecting seeds, raising saplings, and planting them in multiple locations. Since 2011, the society has promoted environmentally responsible Holika Dahan using Semal wood.

Dr. Jain emphasized that despite its multipurpose uses, the Semal tree has often been neglected. To honor it, SMRIM organized an online National Seminar on Semal Day on Maghi Purnima, February 16, 2022.

The national conference included participation from scholars and researchers across India. The session concluded with Dr. Praveen Patil, a member of the organizing committee, expressing gratitude to Dr. Vartika Jain.