Sirisa

 Sirisa is a large tree that grows through out India. The flowers of the tree are very delicate and hence the name given. The herb is commonly known as Siris bark and have many therapeutic uses. Dr. Varun Ram Raj of Ayurvedatarian uses the herb Sirisa for the treatment diseases caused by the vitiation of Pitta Kapha doshas as the herb is Pitta Kapha samaka in it’s action. Sirisa is used to treat numerous diseases including Poisoning , Hiccough, Asthma etc. Nowadays it is also used as an Antiallergenic , Analgesic and Antioxidant agent as it contains Phytoconstituents like Friedelan, Leucocyanidin , Catechin etc.

General aspects and geography

Botanical name : Albizzia lebbeck         

Family :  Mimosaceae 

Habitat: Through out India 

Parts used

• Stem bark, Seed

Classical categorization based on Ayurveda textbooks

Charaka Samhita – Visaghna varga (Antipoisonous )

Susruta Samhita – Salasaradi gana

Pharmacological action

• Antiallergic
• Analgesic 
• Antiinflammatory 
• Antioxidant 

Medicinal property according to Ayurveda

• Kasahara (alleviate cough )
• Jwarahara (Antipyretic )
• Sothahara (Antiinflammatory )
• Visaghna (Antipoisonous )

Therapeutic indications

• Hiccough (Hikka)- Juice of Flowers of Sirisa is mixed with honey and pepper and is taken internally to alleviate Hiccough 
• Worm infestation (Krimi)- Juice of Sirisa is taken with honey to get rid of Krimi.

Dosage

Powder (Churna) – 5 g

Decoction (Kwatha ) – 60 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 

• Sirisarishta
• Ekasara yoga
• Sirisabijadi lepa

Morphology :

A large tree with pale bark. Leaves are oblong. Flowers are yellow. Fruits are pod. Inflorescence is corymbose.

Vernacular names of Sirisa

English – Siris bark

Hindi- Siris 

Malayalam – Malantakara

Sanskrit – Sirisa 

Synonyms 

• Sukapuspa
• Kapitana
• Mandila

Rasapanchaka 

Rasa-  Kashaya (Astringent ) Tikta (Bitter )

Guna-  Laghu (light)

Vipaka- Katu (Acrid)

Virya-  Anushna (Neither too hot)

Prabhava – Visaghna (Antipoisonous )

शिरीषोमधुरोऽनुष्णास्तिक्तश्चतुवरोलघुः ।

दोषशोथविसर्पघ्नः कासव्रणविषापहः ।।

(Bhavaprakasa Nighantu -Vatadi varga-shloka 14)

Sirisa is Pitta Kapha samaka because of it’s properties like Katu vipaka and Light nature . The herb is used to alleviate diseases caused by Pitta and Kapha doshas like Hiccough and Asthma etc. Ayurvedatarian lead by Dr. Varun Ram Raj, is currently conducting various researches based on ancient Ayurvedic textbooks, involving Sirisa for preparing various combinations of medicines to alleviate conditions involving vitiation of Kapha and Pitta and also for preparing combinations of medicines to alleviate poisoning. Reach Ayurvedatarian for better health management.

Frequently asked Questions

1)What are the uses of Sirisa powder ?

   Used in Poisoning.

2)What is the scientific name of Sirisa ?

Botanical name of Sirisa is Albizzia lebbeck