Changes

Charaka considers Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa) as ''stambhaka dravya''. But, Dradhabala in this chapter considers ''lodhra'' as synonym of tilvaka leading to controversies. These two shall be different drugs, because, tilvaka has mild purgative effect and lodhra has stambhaka (Styptic, astringent) effect. Sushurta mentions lodhra in shyaamaadi (group of shyama etc.), nyagrodaadi (group of nyagrodha etc.) and rodhraadi gana (group of rodhra etc.). He considers rodhra and shaabara rodhra in rodhraadi gana, where these drugs are said to be stambhaka (styptic). In ambashtaadi gana too, shabara lodhra has been told which is stambhaka. In nyagrodaadi gana, both varieties of rodhra has been discussed, where it has been considered as stambhaka.

Charaka considers Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa) as ''stambhaka dravya''. But, Dradhabala in this chapter considers ''lodhra'' as synonym of tilvaka leading to controversies. These two shall be different drugs, because, tilvaka has mild purgative effect and lodhra has stambhaka (Styptic, astringent) effect. Sushurta mentions lodhra in shyaamaadi (group of shyama etc.), nyagrodaadi (group of nyagrodha etc.) and rodhraadi gana (group of rodhra etc.). He considers rodhra and shaabara rodhra in rodhraadi gana, where these drugs are said to be stambhaka (styptic). In ambashtaadi gana too, shabara lodhra has been told which is stambhaka. In nyagrodaadi gana, both varieties of rodhra has been discussed, where it has been considered as stambhaka.

Thus, it will be apt to consider tilvaka and lodhra as two separate drugs. Lodhra’s botanical source is said to be Symplocos racemosa. According to Balwant Singh, Viburnum stebulatum Wall (Caprifoliaceae/  Adoxaceae) may be considered as tilvaka which needs to be substantiated with proper scientific evidences. Viburnum species  available in United States of America is used therapeutically. It will be better to analyze the viburnum species available in India for the therapeutic benefits, which may be used in place of Symplocos racemosa Roxb[1].

Thus, it will be apt to consider tilvaka and lodhra as two separate drugs. Lodhra’s botanical source is said to be Symplocos racemosa. According to Balwant Singh, Viburnum stebulatum Wall (Caprifoliaceae/  Adoxaceae) may be considered as tilvaka which needs to be substantiated with proper scientific evidences. Viburnum species  available in United States of America is used therapeutically. It will be better to analyze the viburnum species available in India for the therapeutic benefits, which may be used in place of Symplocos racemosa Roxb<ref>Vd Bapalal, Nighantu Adarsha, Vol 1, Chaukhabha Bharati Academy, Varanasi,II Edition,1999, p.no 823</ref>

In today’s clinical practice, tilwaka (Viburnum nervosum) is not used widely. However, as lodhra (Symplocos racemosa Roxb) is used widely in practice for various disease conditions, it is eloaborated here  for the reference of readers.  

In today’s clinical practice, tilwaka (Viburnum nervosum) is not used widely. However, as lodhra (Symplocos racemosa Roxb) is used widely in practice for various disease conditions, it is eloaborated here  for the reference of readers.  

Description of lodhra:

Description of lodhra:

This tree, in Sanskrit, was called lodhra, rodhra or srimata meaning "propitious". A decoction of the bark is used for gargling when the gums are spongy and bleeding (Susruta). Roxburgh remarks that the bark was popular among the dyes of red in Calcutta and seemed to be used as a mordant only. In Europe it was formerly looked upon as a cinchona bark and had been known at various times as "Ecorce de lautour", "China nova", "China calafornica", "China Brasilarsis", and "China paraquatan". It was also known as "Lotus Bark". Lodhra is botanically named as Symplocos racemosa Roxb, it belongs to the genus Symplocos and family Symplocaceae. Symplocos racemosa Roxb is an evergreen tree or shrub. Principal Constituents are three alkaloids, viz. loturine, loturidine and colloturine. The astringent bark is given for the treatment of diarrhea, dysentery and liver complaints. It is recommended in the treatment of menorrhagia and other uterine disorders[2]The drug is useful in digestive disorders, eye diseases and ulcers. It is used in plasters and applied to wound for promoting maturation of wounds. It is astringent and is used in excessive bleeding during menstruation, other uterine disorders. The astringent properties are used in diarrhoea, dysentery, liver complaints and dropsy; also used in opthalmia and conjunctivitis.

This tree, in Sanskrit, was called lodhra, rodhra or srimata meaning "propitious". A decoction of the bark is used for gargling when the gums are spongy and bleeding (Susruta). Roxburgh remarks that the bark was popular among the dyes of red in Calcutta and seemed to be used as a mordant only. In Europe it was formerly looked upon as a cinchona bark and had been known at various times as "Ecorce de lautour", "China nova", "China calafornica", "China Brasilarsis", and "China paraquatan". It was also known as "Lotus Bark". Lodhra is botanically named as Symplocos racemosa Roxb, it belongs to the genus Symplocos and family Symplocaceae. Symplocos racemosa Roxb is an evergreen tree or shrub. Principal Constituents are three alkaloids, viz. loturine, loturidine and colloturine. The astringent bark is given for the treatment of diarrhea, dysentery and liver complaints. It is recommended in the treatment of menorrhagia and other uterine disorders.<ref>2. http://www.himalayahealthcare.com/herbalmonograph/lodh-tree.htm</ref>The drug is useful in digestive disorders, eye diseases and ulcers. It is used in plasters and applied to wound for promoting maturation of wounds. It is astringent and is used in excessive bleeding during menstruation, other uterine disorders. The astringent properties are used in diarrhoea, dysentery, liver complaints and dropsy; also used in opthalmia and conjunctivitis.

It possesses cardiotonic, antipyretic, antihelminthic and laxative properties. It is beneficial in blood disorders, burning sensations, leucoderma, and jaundice In classical texts the bark is said to be useful in bowel complaints such as diarrhoea, dysentery, liver complaints, fever, ulcer etc . [3]The bark of this plant also possesses anticancer activity. A study has been also carried out to evaluate the antitumor activity of the ethanol extract of Symplocos racemosa Roxb. against Ehrlich’s ascites carcinoma (EAC) in mice. Treatment with ethanolic extract decreased the tumor volume and viable cell count thereby increasing the lifespan of EAC bearing mice. The study indicates that the ethanol extract of Symplocos racemosa Roxb. exhibited antitumor effect by modulating lipid peroxidation and augmenting anti-oxidant defense system in EAC bearing mice.[4] In addition, researchers have evaluated the antibacterial effect of Symplocos racemosa Roxb extracts against acne inducing bacteria. Symplocos racemosa is used in Indian System of Medicine for various female disorders. In vivo effect of aqueous extracts of Symplocos racemosa on serum FSH and LH levels in immature female Sprague–Dawley rats under basal conditions has been observed. There are also lots of scientific literature data proving the different pharmacological activity of Symplocos racemosa Roxb extract, e.g. gonadotropin releasing, antioxidant, antiarthritic and antibacterial.

It possesses cardiotonic, antipyretic, antihelminthic and laxative properties. It is beneficial in blood disorders, burning sensations, leucoderma, and jaundice In classical texts the bark is said to be useful in bowel complaints such as diarrhoea, dysentery, liver complaints, fever, ulcer etc.<ref name=3>Khalid S., C.H Gopalakrishna, Kature D.V., Shaikh K. B., Suresh D.K., Loya P. Gastroprotective and antiulcer activity of mixture of Symplocos racemosa bark and Asarum europaeum root Journal of Pharmacy Research 2010, 3(7):1502-1505</ref> The bark of this plant also possesses anticancer activity. A study has been also carried out to evaluate the antitumor activity of the ethanol extract of Symplocos racemosa Roxb. against Ehrlich’s ascites carcinoma (EAC) in mice. Treatment with ethanolic extract decreased the tumor volume and viable cell count thereby increasing the lifespan of EAC bearing mice. The study indicates that the ethanol extract of Symplocos racemosa Roxb. exhibited antitumor effect by modulating lipid peroxidation and augmenting anti-oxidant defense system in EAC bearing mice.<ref>M. Vijayabaskaran, Amol K. B., G. Babu, P. Sivakumar, P. Perumal1, T. Sivakumar R. Sampathkumar and B. Jayakar. Antitumor Activity and Antioxidant Status of Symplocos racemosa Roxb Against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma in Swiss Albino Mice Research Journal of Pharmaceutical, Biological and Chemical Sciences 2010 1(3):306-314</ref> In addition, researchers have evaluated the antibacterial effect of Symplocos racemosa Roxb extracts against acne inducing bacteria. Symplocos racemosa is used in Indian System of Medicine for various female disorders. In vivo effect of aqueous extracts of Symplocos racemosa on serum FSH and LH levels in immature female Sprague–Dawley rats under basal conditions has been observed. There are also lots of scientific literature data proving the different pharmacological activity of Symplocos racemosa Roxb extract, e.g. gonadotropin releasing, antioxidant, antiarthritic and antibacterial.

It is also useful in abortions and miscarriages and for ulcers of vagina. Traditionally bark is given in menorrhagia and other uterine disorders. In Unani medicine it is used as emmenogogue and aphrodisiac. It is also a potent remedy for inflammation and cleaning uterus. It contains salireposide and benzoyl salireposide which are inhibitors of phosphodiesterase I and have showed its depressant action on blood pressure and instestinal movements.[5] Symplocos racemosa Roxb also works as a natural antipyretic agent with reduced or no toxicity.[6]

It is also useful in abortions and miscarriages and for ulcers of vagina. Traditionally bark is given in menorrhagia and other uterine disorders. In Unani medicine it is used as emmenogogue and aphrodisiac. It is also a potent remedy for inflammation and cleaning uterus. It contains salireposide and benzoyl salireposide which are inhibitors of phosphodiesterase I and have showed its depressant action on blood pressure and instestinal movements.<ref>Raval p. B., patel d. J., patel a. B., ganure l. A. Potent in vitro anticancer activity of symplocos racemosa bark rom. J. Biol. – plant biol., 2009 54(2):135–140</ref> Symplocos racemosa Roxb also works as a natural antipyretic agent with reduced or no toxicity.<ref name=6>http://www.konarkindex.com/index.php/lodhra</ref>

===Types & synonyms of lodhra ===

===Types & synonyms of lodhra ===