Symplocos racemosa Roxb. is an evergreen Ayurvedic plant with a broad crown and stems that grow to the height of 6 meters. It belongs to the Symplocaceae family which comprises of one genus Symlocos and is distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Australia, America, and Malaysia. It is found in north and east India throughout the Himalayas. The plant is well known for the medicinal values of its stem bark in traditional medicine including Unani and Ayurveda. The stem bark is used to cure gynecological problems, blood diseases, inflammation, leprosy, and eye diseases. It is used for treating dysentery, kapha, bleeding gums, ulcer etc. The bark possesses anticancer and aphrodisiac properties. The reputed pharmaceutical companies are using the bark for Ayurvedic products. Symplocos racemosa is enlisted among 178 species of India. Symplocos racemosa has limited geographical distribution which is due to anthropological activities and habitat destruction.

Plant description

Symplocos racemosa is an evergreen tree and its bark is marked with white patches. Leaves are elliptic-oblong or elliptic-lanceolate. It is narrow at the base, glandular-serrate, acute or acuminate at apex, crenate or subentire, glabrous on both side curves, and polished and shining above the nerve pair. Flowers are 8-18 cm long, fragrant and white which is followed by fruit. Fruit is a drupe which is ellipsoid to ovoid or oblong measuring 1-1.5 x 0.6 cm which encompasses 1 to 3 seeds. Seeds are oblong and hard.

Leaves

Leaves are simple, spiral, alternate with 1.5 cm long petioles. Lamina is oblanceolate to narrow elliptic, 6.5-12.5 x 3-4.3 cm, narrowly acuminate apex, acute to attenuate base, serrate, and slightly recurved margin.

Bark

The outer surface is uneven, rough due to cracks and fissures. It is usually grayish brown to grey externally and pale whitish to brown externally.

Flowers

Flowers are small, regular, bisexual, white, and about 1.4 cm in diameter. It is fragrant and forms in axillary and simple or compound racemes 5 to 10 cm long. A calyx tube is glabrous, imbricate, 5-lobed (lobes: 2.5 mm long), ovate and minutely pubescent. The corolla is 4 mm long.

Fruit

Drupes are globose, cylindrical in shape, purplish-black, and about 1 to 1.3 cm long, 6 mm broad, one to three seeded with woody endocarp.

Traditional uses

• In Myanmar, stem and bark is used for treating fever and cough.
• In India, the bark is applied for treating uterine disorders, dysentery, diarrhea, menorrhagia, and eye disease.
• Bark has expectorant, astringent, febrifuge, anti-inflammatory, stomachic, hemostatic, suppurative, and constipating properties.
• It is useful for treating eye diseases, asthma, spongy or bleeding gums, arthritis, dropsy, tumors, ulcers, skin diseases, leprosy, fever, acne and pimples, menorrhagia, hemorrhages, flatulence, dyspepsia, diarrhea, leucorrhoea, chyluria, hepatic disorders, dysentery, baldness, hemorrhoids, elephantiasis, ear diseases, scrofula and gonorrhea.
• Leaves, bark and root is used for treating dysentery, diarrhea, uterine diseases, liver diseases, liver disorders, leprosy, uterine disorders, conjunctivitis and opthalmia.
• It is helpful for scorpion sting and snake bites.
• For snake bites, use it internally in form of kashaya and choorna.
• Bark powder is used to heal wounds.
• When combined with sugar, it is used to treat menorrhagia and other uterine disorders.
• In Ayurveda, the herb is used to provide glow to skin and make body attractive.
• Use the combination of ghee, sugar and Symplocos racemosa leaves paste for treating cough.
• Apply the paste of the bark over the affected area with swelling and wound as a treatment.
• Apply the bark paste to the eyelids as a treatment for conjunctivitis.
• The bark decoction in divided dose of 50-60 ml helps to treat diarrhea and bleeding piles. It constricts smaller blood vessels and controls bleeding.
• Decoction or cold infusion is provided in divided dose of 50-60 ml for treating uterine bleeding disorders.
• The cold infusion extracted from flowers when given in dose of 50-60 ml treats cough and fever.
• Apply the bark paste for rashes, itching and insect bites.
• The bark powder is sprinkled or blown inside the ear for controlling discharge from ears.

External application

1. Bleeding disorders

Apply the powder externally as it acts as haemostatic.

2. Acne, white/black heads and blemishes

Apply the paste of Symplocos racemosa and sphatika for acne.

The pasteo dhanyaka, Symplocos racemosa and vaca is useful.

As an astringent, it clears blemishes, white and blackheads. It also dries acne quickly.

3. Ulcers

• Dhataki and Symplocos racemosa powder helps to speed up the healing of wounds.
• The paste of Symplocos racemosa, nyagrodha bud, triphala, khadira and ghrta provides looseness and also softens wounds.
• Applying Symplocos racemosa powder speeds up healing of wounds.

4. Oral problems

In dental caries, after letting the blood apply the paste of musta, Symplocos racemosa and rasanjana mixed with honey.

5. Vaginal infection

Apply the paste of tumbi leaves and Symplocos racemosa in the vagina.

6. Blood purifier and diarrhea

• Take flower or stamen extract with milk.

7. Conjunctivitis

Apply the bark paste over eyelids.

8. Eye diseases, wash for ulcers

Use the bark decoction as a wash.

9. Inflammation

Apply the bark in form of plasters.

10. Leucorrhoea, menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea

Use half teaspoon of bark powder.

11. Pelvic pain after childbirth

Take the decoction of Soymida febrigfuga A.Juss and Symplocos racemosa twice a day for 3 to 5 days.

12. Pimples

Apply the paste of Coriandrum sativum, Acorus calamus and Symplocos racemosa.

13. Ophthalmia

Apply the paste of Licorice root, Symplocos racemosa bark, burnt alum and Rasot/Rasont (equal parts) round the eyes.

14. Skin diseases

Apply the bark paste for pus release and to heal bruises, furuncles and boils.

15. Spongy and bleeding gums

Use the bark decoction as a gargle.

Dosage

Powder: 3-6 gm

Decoction: 50-100 ml

Seed powder: 1-3 gram

Health benefits of Symplocos racemosa

1. Women Health

Symplocos racemosa is effective to heal female-associated health problems. It is a uterine tonic that relaxes the uterus wall and tissues. It helps to treat gynecological problems such as menorrhagia, frequent abortions, uterine bleeding disorders, and leucorrhea. Use the bark decoction with milk for menstrual disorders.

For frequent abortions, use Symplocos racemosa with honey, milk and pippali churna in 7^th to 8^th month of pregnancy. It regularizes and normalizes hormones LH and FSH that regulate the development of the reproductive process of the body. It has anti-androgenic properties that prevent ovarian cell dysfunction in PCOS and promote fertility. It lowers testosterone levels which is higher in PCOS patients.

2. Beautiful Skin and Skin Disorders

Symplocos racemosa is an ingredient in Ayurvedic skin-associated products and is able to heal skin problems. Skin problems such as eczema, acne, and poor complexion are caused due to aggravated pitta. It has pitta balancing properties and sheet nature that helps to improve complexion and provides healthy skin. It provides a glow to the face and makes it more attractive. In form of a paste, it has astringent properties, so apply it on the skin, pimples, blemishes, black and whiteheads.

3. Eye Disorders

Symplocos racemosa effectively cures eye diseases such as itching, conjunctivitis, edema, itching, eye pain, and eye burning. Apply the paste to eyelids to provide relief from conjunctivitis.

4. Heal wounds and inflammation

Symplocos racemosa is applied to the inflamed and injured areas, lowers the pH of the body which helps to heal wounds faster. It alleviates swelling, pain and inflammatory conditions.

5. Supports digestion

Symplocos racemosa has absorbent properties so it assists absorption in the colon as well as other body parts. Excess fluids are absorbed and make the body firm as well as strong. It promotes digestion and is helpful for treating ailments such as abdominal inflammation, diarrhea, edema, intestinal paralysis, and bowel complaints.

6. Dental health

Bark decoction is used as a mouthwash to eliminate pyria i.e. bleeding of gums. It helps to maintain overall dental health and makes gums firm.

7. Liver tonic

Symplocos racemosa effectively maintains liver health. It cleanses toxins from the liver and purifies the blood. The bark is combined with other herbal decoctions as well as infusions to treat ailments such as fatty liver, liver cirrhosis, persistent dysentery, and fevers.

8. Body strength

The plant of Symplocos racemosa pacifies pitta and vata doshas and promotes Kapha dosha which provides strength and nourishment to the tissues and cells. It supports the formation of bodily fluids and promotes firmness of the body and makes it appealing.

Ayurvedic properties

• Rasa: Kashaya
• Veerya: Sheeta
• Guna: Laghu, Ruksha
• Vipaka: Katu
• Rogaghnata: Shotha, Netrabhishyanda, Vrana, Atisara, Karnasrava, Jwara etc.
• Doshaghnata: Kaphapittashamaka
• Karma: Shothahara, Chakshushya, Kushaghna, Sara, Vranaropana etc.

Precautions

• The consumption of Symplocos racemosa on empty stomach causes abdominal heaviness, constipation and nausea in individuals with gastrointestinal problems.
• Do not keep the vaginal wash prepared with Symplocos racemosa bark for longer time period. It should be prepared fresh.
• Avoid excessive use of sour and spicy food items during medication.
• Avoid using Symplocos racemosa for long duration during pregnancy.
• It reduces testosterone and cholesterol levels and promotes progesterone and estrogen levels.

 

References

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