LODHRA: A DIVINE HERBAL FOR WOMEN

  

Plants play a significant role in the sustenance of life on Earth. They supply oxygen to breathe in, foods to eat, clothes (cotton) to cover our bodies, beautiful flowers for recreation, and natural therapeutics for human well-being. Human civilization has witnessed many diseases and epidemics during the course of history and was entirely dependent on plants and mineral-based medicines for cures. Many plant species with curative properties have been used in healthcare systems of the world since time immemorial. One such plant with many medicinal properties is Lodhra. The common name Lodhra applies to two different species of Symplocos [S. paniculata (Pattika lodhra) and S. racemosa (Savara lodhra)] occurring in India. The generic name Symplocos is derived from the Greek word symploke, which means inter-connected, and the specific epithet signifies its inflorescence type. Both species are used in Ayurveda for the same treatment, however, Symplocos racemosa is more extensively used in Ayurveda. The bark of this tree was used for making the Tilak (Lodhra means tilak in Sanskrit) mark on the forehead in ancient India which was considered propitious. The only species of this plant that occurs in Northwest Himalaya is Symplocos paniculata.

COMMON NAMES
English name: Sapphire berry or Asiatic Sweetleaf
Sanskrit and Ayurvedic name: Lodhra, Pattika lodhra, Rodhra, Tirita
Hindi name: Lodh
Urdu name: Lodh pathani, Pathani lodh, Balaloddi, Shaabara
Tibetan name: Zhu mkhan (pronounced as Shu khaen)
H.P. name: Loja (Rampur/Sarahan)


Botanical name: Symplocos paniculata
Family: Symplocaceae

DISTRIBUTION

Symplocos paniculata is native to Western Himalaya and Northeast Himalaya in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, China, Inner Mongolia, Japan, Myanmar, Taiwan, and Vietnam. It occurs at an altitudinal range of 1000-2700 m in forests and shrubberies. Symplocos racemosa occurs in Northeast Himalaya in India.

DESCRIPTION

Lodhra is a deciduous shrub or a small-sized tree growing to a height of up to 10 m. The stem is highly branched with soft, friable, light grey-coloured, corky, and transversely fissured bark. Leaves are up to 8 cm in length and up to 4 cm in width. They are elliptic to obovate in shape, rough in texture, with serrate margin and acute apex. Creamy-white flowers are fragrant, 8-10 mm across, and arranged in dense panicles. Sepals are light yellow, hairy outside, 1-1.5 mm in size, and ovate to semi-orbicular in shape. The petals are white, spreading, 3-6 mm across, and oblong-elliptic in shape. Stamens are also white-coloured, 25-60 in number, and protrude out of the petals. Fruit is a one-seeded globular drupe measuring up to 5 mm in diameter. It turns blue or purple in colour at maturity in September-October. Flowering takes place from April to June.

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS

Symplocos racemosa is an extensively studied plant species of Lodhra. Its bark contains alkaloids (loturine, loturidine, colloturine), phenolic glycosides (symplocoside, symploveroside, betasito-glycoside, salireposide, benzoylsalireposide), triterpenoids (betulinic acid, acetyloleanolic acid, oleanolic acid), flavonoids (quercetin), tannins, etc. Symplocos paniculata is reported to contain triterpenoids (ursolic acid, corosolic acid, and 2,3,19,23-tetrahydroxyurs-12-ene-28-oic acid), flavonoids, lignans, steroids, phenols, iridoids, and alkaloids.

MEDICINAL USES

1. Regulation of Female Reproductive Hormones

Lodhra regulates the female reproductive hormones and helps in the well-being of women. Its use normalizes the menstrual cycle and helps in subsiding the excessive abdominal pain and bleeding in dysmenorrhea. It is considered to be a good uterine tonic.

Photo source: Maharishi Ayurveda

2. Cure for Endometriosis

It helps in treating endometriosis (inflammation of the lining of the uterus) in women.

3. Useful in Polycystic Ovarian Disease

It is reported to be useful in curing Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) caused due to hormonal imbalance.

4. Cure for Leucorrhea

Lodhra is considered useful in curing leucorrhea due to its astringent, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties.

5. For Respiratory Problems

Lodhra is used as a traditional remedy for all sorts of respiratory problems due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-biotic, and anti-asthmatic properties. It is considered useful in common cold, sore throat, cough, asthma, and flu.

6. Antioxidant Activity

It is a rich resource of antioxidants due to the presence of phenolic compounds and terpenoids.

7. Antimicrobial Activity

Lodhra bark has a potent antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus, and Salmonella in lab studies due to the presence of flavonoids.

8. Liver Protectant

Many reports consider it to have hepatoprotective and hepato-stimulative properties. It normalizes the liver enzymes and supports normal liver functioning in jaundice.

9. Skin Care

It is considered to have blood-purifying properties which help in removing toxins from the blood. Its antimicrobial properties protect the skin from various types of infections.

10. Management of Diabetes

Lodhra bark powder is reported to activate the pancreatic β-cells to produce insulin in animal models. It slows down the breakdown of starch into glucose and helps in maintaining normal blood glucose levels.

11. Heals Ulcers

The anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial activity of its bark helps in healing the different types of ulcers (ulcerative colitis, peptic ulcer, mouth ulcers).

12. Good for Eye Problems

Due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, it is considered useful for eye problems like inflammation and infection.

13. Reduces Cholesterol

Ethanolic extract of Lodhra is reported to reduce liver cholesterol levels in animal models. The hypolipidemic activity can be due to the presence of flavonoids, phenolic glycosides, and steroids.

14. Treatment for Gum Problems

Due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, it reduces swelling and infections of the gums. The astringent property helps to cure bleeding gums.

15. Use in Tibetan Medicine/ Sowa Rigpa

Zhu mkhan is used for treating hot disorders of the lungs and kidney in Tibetan medicine.

FORMULATIONS CONTAINING LODHRA

Lodhra powder, Gynaelix Syrup, Lodhrasavam, Rodharasava, Lodhrasava, Pushyanuga churna, Lodhradi Kwath, etc.

Photo source: Yamuna Pharmacy

CAUTION

Excess intake of Lodhra bark powder can cause nausea, constipation, and gastrointestinal upset. No severe side effects have been reported in the literature.

CULTIVATION

Lodhra can be easily propagated using ripe seeds. Cold stratification enhances the germination percentage. Soaking in water for 24-36 hours before sowing is recommended. The seedlings can be planted in late spring or early summer. It can also be propagated using 7 – 10 cm long stem cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel. Roots are formed in about a month. Lodhra requires acidic soil and a sunny location for its proper growth.

DISCLAIMER

The information given on the medicinal uses of Lodhra in this Blog is only for awareness and educational purposes. Consult a registered medical practitioner for any health-related issues.

REFERENCES

1. AIMIL (2023). Lodhr. Retreived from:
https://www.aimilpharmaceuticals.com/herbs/lodhr/

2. Chauhan, N.S. (1990). Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of Himachal Pradesh. Indus Publishing Company, New Delhi.

3. Kamat, S.D. (2018). Studies on Medicinal Plants & Drugs in Bhavprakasha Nighantu. Chaukhamba Sanskrit Pratishthan, Delhi.

4. Kapoor, L.D. (2001). Handbook of Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants. CRC Press LLC.

5. Khare, C. (2007). Indian Medicinal Plants. Springer, New York.

6. Kusuma, G., VijayaKumar, B., Chitra, S. (2018). Symplocos paniculata Miq.: A Review. Int. J. Curr. Res. Biosci. Plant Biol. 5(3): 7-20.

7. Norbu, T. (2016). Encyclopedia of Myriad Herbs: Medicinal Herbs in Tibetan Medical Tradition (Vol. II). Men-Tsee-Khang, Tibetan Medical and Astro Institute, Dharamshala, H.P.

8. PFAF (2023). Symplocos paniculata (Thunb.)Miq. Retreived from:
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Symplocos+paniculata

9. Semwal, R.B., Semwal D.K., Semwal, R., Singh, R. and Rawat, M.S.M. (2011). Chemical constituents from the stem bark of Symplocos paniculata Thunb. with antimicrobial, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory activities. J. Ethnopharmacology 135: 78–87.

10. TATA 1mg (2023). Lodhra. Retreived from:
https://www.1mg.com/ayurveda/lodhra-145