Gambhari

  Gambhari is one of the most potent herbs used for medicinal purposes in Ayurveda and is commonly known as Coomb tree. It is found through out India and is one of the fast growing trees and hence the name given. The plant have hot potency (Ushna virya) and is used as a carminative(Deepana )and digestant(Pacana). Dr.Varun Ram Raj of Ayurvedatarian uses the herb Gambhari for the treatment of diseases caused by the vitiation of all three doshas as the herb is found to be Tridosha hara. It is used in conditions like Diarrhoea, Bleeding disorders, Gout etc. The herb is also used as Demulcent and Laxative agent by modern science.

General aspects and geography

Botanical name : Gmelina arborea     

Family :  Verbenaceae 

Habitat: Through out India

Parts used

• Root bark 

Classical categorization based on Ayurveda textbooks

Charaka Samhita – Sothahara varga (alleviates swelling )

Susruta Samhita – Sarivadi gana

Pharmacological action

• Stomachic 
• Refrigerant
• Demulcent 

Medicinal property according to Ayurveda

• Dipana ( carminative )
• Visaghna (Antipoisonous )
• Sothahara (Reduces swelling)
• Jwaraghna (Reduces fever )

Therapeutic indications

• Anaemia (Pandu)- The juice of fruits of Gambhari is taken internally to alleviate Anaemia.
• Diarrhoea (Atisara)- Habitual intake of soup prepared from Gambhari can alleviate Atisara. 

Dosage

Powder (Churna) – 3 g

Decoction (Kashaya ) – 90 ml

Tablet - 2 tablets twice daily or as per the advice of the Ayurveda doctor 

Note: Ayurveda medications must be taken only after consulting an Ayurveda doctor. 

Formulations 

• Dasamularishta 
• Dasamula haritaki
• Dasamula kwatha 

Morphology :

Moderate sized deciduous tree with greyish yellow bark. Leaves are long glabrous and broadly ovate. Inflorescence is panicle. Flowers are brownish yellow. Fruits are drupe.

Vernacular names 

English – coomb tree

Hindi- gambhara

Malayalam – kumbula

Sanskrit – gambhari 

Synonyms 

• Kasmarya
• Katphala
• Suphala

Rasapanchaka of Gambhari

Rasa- Tikta(bitter) Kashaya (Astringent ) Madhura (Sweet)

Guna-  Ruksha (Dry)

Vipaka- Katu (Acrid)

Virya-  Ushna (hot)

काश्मरी तुवरा तिक्ता वीर्योष्णा मधुरा गुरुः ।

दीपनी पाचनी मेध्या भेदिनी भ्रमशोषजित् । ।

(Bhavaprakasa Nighantu -Guducyadi varga-shloka 15)

Gambhari is Tridosha alleviating because of it’s properties like sweet taste and hot potency. The herb is used to treat diseases like Diarrhea, Gout, Whitlow etc. Ayurvedatarian lead by Dr. Varun Ram Raj, is currently conducting various researches based on ancient Ayurvedic textbooks, involving Gambhari for preparing various combinations of medicines to alleviate conditions involving vitiation of Tridosha. Reach Ayurvedatarian for better health management.

Frequently asked Questions

1)What are the uses of  Gambhari kwatha?

   Gambhari kwatha is used effectively in reducing Fever of Pitta origin.

2)What is the scientific name of Gambhari ?

Botanical name of Citraka is Gmelina arborea