Leaves much used throughout the country for making platters, cups, etc.;
dried leaves used as beedi wrappers. Young shoots yield a fibre used for ropes. Root-bark yields a coarse fibre used for cordage and caulking boats. Bark astringent used piles, tumours and menstrual disorders. Tree yields a gum called Butea gum or Bengal kino which is astringent and used in diarrhoea. Flowers yield a brilliant but very fugitive yellow colouring matter. When the seeds are pounded with lemon juice, they act as a powerful rubefacient and have been successfully used as a cure for a form of herpes called Dhobie’s itch. They yield a fatty oil (18%). Wood used mainly for well-curbs and water-scoops; also employed as a cheap broad wood and for structural work. Wood pulp is suitable for newsprint manufacture.