Lodhra
Symplocos racemosa Roxb.
| Section/Chapter | Herb database/Lodhra |
|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Symplocos racemosa Roxb |
| Family | Symplocaceae |
| Availability | Available |
| Contributors | Team Dravyaguna |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | Awaited |
Symplocos racemosa Roxb., commonly known as Lodhra (Sanskrit: लोध्र), is an evergreen tree belonging to the family Symplocaceae. It is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, including India, Nepal, and Myanmar. The stem bark of Symplocos racemosa has been extensively utilized in Ayurveda and traditional systems of medicine for various gynecological, inflammatory, and infectious conditions.[1][2]
Taxonomy and Botanical Description
| Category | Description / Classification |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Symplocos racemosa Roxb. |
| Family | Symplocaceae |
| Common Names | Lodhra, Savara Lodhra (Sanskrit/Hindi), Lodh Tree (English) |
| Plant Part Used | Stem Bark (Symploci Cortex) |
| Habit & Distribution | Evergreen tree growing 10–15 m tall; native to tropical and subtropical regions of India, particularly across the Himalayas, Assam, and Chota Nagpur. |
Therapeutic uses
Shotha(oedema), atisara (diarrhoea), netra roga (eye disease), raktapitta (bleeding disorder), pradara (menorrhagia and leucorrhea)[3]
Synonyms in Charak Samhita
Tilvaka(it produces smoothness to the organs of the body), Brihatpatra, Tiritaka, Lodhra, Tirita(cure many disease), Shavara, Galava, Malav, Shavar lodhra, Savaraka, Sthulavalkala, Shabara
Synonyms in bhavaprakasa nighantu
Kramuka, sthulavalkal , jirna patra, bruhatpatra[4]
Varieties
Bhavaprakasa nighantu
Mentioned 2 types
- Lodhra
- Pattika lodhra
Dhanvantari nighantu
Mentioned 2 types[5]
- Lodhra
- Kramuka
Ayurvedic pharmacological properties
| Sr.no. | Pharmacological criteria | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taste (rasa) | Astringent (kashaya), Bitter (tikta) |
| 2 | Potency (veerya) | Cold (sheeta) |
| 3 | Post digestion effect (vipaka) | Pungent (katu) |
| 4 | Qualities (Guna) | Light (laghu), Rough (ruksha) |
| 5 | Actions (karma) | Pacify Kapha and Pitta |
| 6 | Extra ordinary effect (prabhava) | Grahi |
Reference in Charak Samhita and its actions
| Sr.no. | Reference in Charak Samhita | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 1/116 | Shodhana (Twak) vriksha(Virechana) |
| 2 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 3/5 | Churna pradeha |
| 3 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(5) | Sandhaniya mahakashaya(promoting union/binding) |
| 4 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(46) | Shonitasthapana mahakashaya(hemostatics) |
| 5 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(31) | Purishsangrahaniya mahakashaya(faecal astringents) |
| 6 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 5/22 | Dhuma varti dravya |
| 7 | Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/144 | Kashaya-skandha(group of astringent drugs) |
| 8 | Cha.Sa.Sharira Sthana 8/44 | Naadi kalpana |
| 9 | Cha.Sa.Sharira Sthana 8/50 | Balak paricharya |
| 10 | Cha.Sa.Kalpa Sthana 1/6 | Shodhanartha |
| 11 | Cha.Sa.Kalpa Sthana 9/3 | Lodhra Synonyms |
| 12 | Cha.Sa.Kalpa Sthana 12/35 | Yoga |
| 13 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/267 | As an ingredient of Agurvadi taila |
| 14 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 4/45 | In Yavagu prayoga |
| 15 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 4/66 | As a Raktapitta nashaka kwath dravya |
| 16 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 4/67 | Used along with Atarushakadi kwath |
| 17 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 4/73 | As an ingredient of Ushiradi churna |
| 18 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 4/81 | As an ingredient of Priyangvadi peya |
| 19 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 4/89 | As a ghrita prayoga |
| 20 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 4/99 | Used in Nasagata raktapitta.(bleeding disorder) |
| 21 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 4/104 | Used as Pradeha-Parisechana-Avagaha dravya |
| 22 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 6/27 | Used for making decoction in Kaphaj prameha(diabetes) |
| 23 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 6/30 | Used for making decoction in Pittaj prameha(diabetes) |
| 24 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 6/31 | Used for making decoction in Pittaj prameha(diabetes) |
| 25 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 6/38 | Trikantakadhya Tail/Ghrita in Vata-kaphaj prameha(diabetes) |
| 26 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 6/41 | Ingredient in Madhvasava |
| 27 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/93 | Bahyaprayogarth Lepa in Kushtha(skin disease) |
| 28 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/95 | Bahyaprayogarth Lepa in Kushtha (skin disease) |
| 29 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/129 | Abhyantar and Bahyaprayogarth ,Pana, Snana |
| 30 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/131 | Abhyantar and Bahyaprayogath in Pittaj Kushth(skin disease) |
| 31 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 14/139 | As an ingredient of Abhayarishta |
| 32 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 14/159 | As an ingredient of Kanakarishta |
| 33 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 14/193 | Used in rakta arsha(hemorrhoids) |
| 34 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 14/197 | Used in rakta arsha(hemorrhoids) |
| 35 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 14/230 | As an ingredient of hriberadi ghrita |
| 36 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 15/79 | Used for virechana in vataja grahani |
| 37 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 15/158 | As an ingredient of Mulasava |
| 38 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 16/105 | As an ingredient of Gaud Arishta |
| 39 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 19/53 | As a yoga dravya in treatment of pittaja atisara(diarrhoea) |
| 40 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 19/90 | As a pratisarana dravya |
| 41 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 19/109 | As a yoga dravya |
| 42 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 21/55 | For kashaya pana |
| 43 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 21/57 | For kashaya pana |
| 44 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 21/76 | As an ingredient of Sarivadi pralepa(external application) |
| 45 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 21/77 | As an ingredient of Naladadi pralepa(external application) |
| 46 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 21/97 | Avachurnana prayoga for vrana-ropana(healing of wound) |
| 47 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 22/36 | For lepa prayoga(external application) |
| 48 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 22/43 | Management of pitta dominant trishna |
| 49 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 23/55 | As an ingredient of Mrita Sanjivani agada |
| 50 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 23/57 | As an ingredient of Mrita Sanjivani agada |
| 51 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 23/246 | As an ingredient of Amruta ghrita |
| 52 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 24/159 | Used as lepa in Madhyajanita daha (burning due to alcoholism) |
| 53 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 25/66 | Used for avachurnana |
| 54 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 25/90 | As an ingredient of Kampillakadi taila |
| 55 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 25/110 | Used for vrana shaithilya, saukumarya & prasadana |
| 56 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 25/113 | Used for tvak janana |
| 57 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/101 | Used in Hrudshoola.(cardiac pain) |
| 58 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/191 | As an ingredient of Tejohvadi churna |
| 59 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/195 | As an ingredient of Kalak churna |
| 60 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/206 | As an ingredient of Khadiradi gutika |
| 61 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/217 | Used for Kavala in Arochaka(anorexia) |
| 62 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/233 | Used for Vidalaka in Vataja netraroga(eye disease) |
| 63 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/270 | As an ingredient of Mahaneela Ghrita |
| 64 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 27/30 | As an ingredient of Urustambha nashak Yoga |
| 65 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 28/84 | Tilvaka siddha ghrita is used in vata vyadhi, when other doshas are also involved |
| 66 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 29/111 | As an ingredient of Mahapadma taila |
| 67 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 30/79 | As an ingredient of Dhatakyadi taila |
| 68 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 30/91 | As an ingredient of Pushyanuga churna |
| 69 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 30/98 | Used in the treatment of Pittaja pradara |
| 70 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 30/118 | Used in the treatment of Sveta pradara |
| 71 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 30/119 | Used in the treatment of Sveta pradara |
Dose
- 3-5 gm of drug in powder form
- 20-30 gm of drug in decoction[6]
Important formulation
As per A.P.I.[7]
- Lodhrasava
- Pushyanuga churna
- Bruhata gangadhara churna
Current availability
Available
Current researches
Phytochemistry
Phytochemical investigations of Symplocos racemosa stem bark have identified several bioactive secondary metabolites:[1][2]
- Alkaloids: Beta-carboline alkaloids including loturine, collutrine, and loturidine.
- Glycosides: Phenolic glycosides such as symplocoside, symposide, and benzoyl-salicin derivatives.
- Triterpenoids and Steroids: Betulinic acid, oleanolic acid, acetyloleanolic acid, lupeol, and β-sitosterol.
- Flavonoids and Phenolics: Quercetin, ellagic acid, and condensed tannins (proanthocyanidins).
Therapeutic Efficacy and Pharmacological Activities
Gynecological and Reproductive Disorders
Symplocos racemosa is renowned in traditional and experimental pharmacology for its gonadotropic-like modulatory actions and styptic properties:[1][8]
- Menorrhagia and Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding (DUB): High tannin content imparts potent astringent properties, causing local vasoconstriction and protein precipitation, which reduces excessive capillary permeability and menses.[1]
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): Ethanolic extracts restore serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), while reducing circulating free testosterones and decreasing ovarian cyst formation.[8]
- Uterine Tonicity: Alkaloids such as loturine act on uterine smooth muscle, helping normalize basal vascular tone and alleviating hyper-contractility associated with dysmenorrhea.[1]
Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Activity
The bark extracts demonstrate significant anti-inflammatory and membrane-stabilizing efficacy:[9]
- Enzyme Inhibition: Suppresses downstream synthesis of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins (PGE_2) and leukotrienes (LTB_4) through inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), and xanthine oxidase.[9]
- Protein Denaturation Protection: In vitro assays show dose-dependent inhibition of heat-induced protein denaturation with an IC_{50} of approximately 30–40 μg/mL.[9]
Antimicrobial and Periodontal Applications
- Antibacterial Activity: Demonstrates notable zones of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and periodontal pathogens like Porphyromonas gingivalis.[2]
- Periodontal Hydrogel Formulations: Incorporation into localized hydrogel systems reduces oral inflammatory cascades and microbial plaque accumulation.[2]
Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant Activity
- Radical Scavenging: High total phenolic content drives DPPH and ABTS free-radical scavenging, suppressing lipid peroxidation.[10][9]
- Hepatic Restoration: In carbon tetrachloride (<math>CCl_4</math>)-induced hepatotoxicity models, ethanol bark extracts restore serum AST, ALT, ALP, total bilirubin, and intracellular antioxidants (GSH, SOD, CAT) toward baseline ranges.[10]
Preclinical and Clinical Research Summary
| Biological Activity | Study Type | Experimental Model | Key Findings | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reproductive Function / PCOS | In vivo | Female Sprague-Dawley Rats (PCOS model) | Normalized LH/FSH ratios, reduced ovarian weight, restored estrus cyclicity. | [8] |
| Anti-Inflammatory | In vitro | Protein Denaturation & HRBC Membrane Stabilization | Significant dose-dependent inhibition of protein denaturation (IC_{50} \approx 30\40\mu{g/mL}). | [9] |
| Anti-Angiogenic / Cytotoxic | In vitro | Thymidine Phosphorylase Assay | Symplocosides inhibited angiogenesis via thymidine phosphorylase block. | [2] |
| Hepatoprotective | In vivo | CCl_4-induced Liver Injury in Wistar Rats | Significant dose-dependent normalization of hepatic enzyme kinetics. | [10] |
Dosage, Safety, and Formulations
- Safety & Toxicity
Symplocos racemosa bark extract exhibits a low toxicity profile in acute oral toxicity assays (LD_{50} > 2000{mg/kg} body weight in rodent models). High tannin concentrations may cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort or constipation at elevated doses.[2]
- Common Preparations
- Standard Powder (Churna): 1–3 g/day in divided doses.
- Decoction (Kwath): 20–30 g boiled in water reduced to 30–50 mL.
- Classical Formulations: Lodhrasava, Pushyanuga Churna, Chandanasava.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Bhutani, K. K.; Kapoor, R.; Anand, D. K. (1989). "Ayurvedic drugs for gynecological disorders: Phytochemical and pharmacological studies on Symplocos racemosa". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 25 (3): 281–289. doi:10.1016/0378-8741(89)90035-7.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 De Silva, K. T.; Abeysundara, A. T. (2016). "A comprehensive analysis on Symplocos racemosa Roxb.: Traditional uses, botany, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 181: 236–251. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2016.01.032.
- ↑ Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 01:53.
- ↑ Pro. Krushnachandra Chunekar, Bhavaprakash Nighantu. Reprint Edition 2020, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, haritakyadi varga, verse no.-215
- ↑ Pro. Dr. Zarkhande oza , dr.Umapati Mishra , dhanvanatari Nighantu. Edition 2016, Chaukhambha surbharti prakashana, chandanadi varga verse no. 156,158
- ↑ Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 01:53.
- ↑ Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 01:53.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Swarnakar, S.; Maiti, S.; Ghosh, A. (2018). "Evaluating the anti-androgenic and ovarian modulatory actions of Symplocos racemosa bark extract in PCOS models". International Journal of Green Pharmacy. 12 (2): S341–S348.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Sunil, C.; Ignacimuthu, S. (2011). "In vitro anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of Symplocos racemosa Roxb". Pharmacognosy Research. 3 (4): 225–231. doi:10.4103/0974-8490.89748.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Rao, Ch. V.; Verma, A. R.; Vijayakumar, M.; Rastogi, S. (2011). "Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of Symplocos racemosa bark extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic damage". Phytomedicine. 18 (12): 1025–1030. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2011.05.003.