Shallaki
Common Name:
Indian olibanum tree
Sanskrit Name:
Shallaki
Susrava- Means it has a resin exudate with a pleasant odor
Gajabhakshya- Means the elephants eat its leaves with great interest
Subaha
Surabhi- Beacause of its pleasant odor resin exudate
Maheruna
Kunduruki
Vallaki
Lt. Name:
Boswelia serrata- Burseraceae
Bio energetics:
Rasa (Taste)- Kashaya (Astringent);Tikta (Bitter); Madhura (Sweet)
Guna (Characteristics)- Laghu (Light); Ruksha (Rough)
Veerya (Potency)- Ushna (Warm)
Vipaka (Post digestion effect)- Katu (Pungent)
Effect on Tridoshas (Three bio humors)-
Kapha-Pittashamaka (Pacifies Kapha and Vata)
Active Constituents:
The gum oleoresin consists of essential oils, gum, and terpenoids. The terpenoid portion contains the boswellic acids that have been shown to be the active constituents in Boswellia.
Actions according to Ayurveda:
Purishavirajaniya- Imparts/ maintain the normal coloration of the feces i.e. it corrects both digestion and assimilation so that the feces are of normal color as by seeing the color of feces it is easy to tell one's metabolic status
Atisarjit- Useful in management of diarrhea
Shirovirechana- Useful in therapeutic cleansing of the body parts above the clavicle level
Raktapitta hara- Useful in management of bleeding tendencies
Vranahara- Good healer for ulcers
Pushtikrit- Fortifies all the systems of the body
Twachya- Rejuvenates the skin
Grahi- Improves assimilation so that the person passes the stool with normal consistency
Arshonashini- Helps a lot in management of hemorrhoids
Pradara shantikrit- Very useful in managing excessive bleeding per vaginum
Medicinal value:
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Recent reports show that Boswelia serrata can be useful in joint pain and back pain and can even help in cases where steroids are needed by offsetting some of the symptoms of the problems and therefore helping the patient to use a lower steroid dose.
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Research has identified specific active anti-inflammatory ingredients in this herb, which are commonly referred to as boswellic acids. In animal studies, these acids have been shown to significantly reduce inflammation in several ways. They deter inflammatory white cells from infiltrating damaged tissue. They improve blood flow to the joints. And they also block chemical reactions that set the stage for inflammation to occur in chronic intestinal disorders such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
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When tested on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma and S-180 tumours transplanted in mice, it increased the life span of mice by 24% with ascites and decreased S-180 tumour by 24%. The essential oil of Boswellia searrata was found to he anti-fungal. Anti-inflammatory activity and anti-bacterial activity of extracts have been demonstrated.
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The non-phenolic fraction of gum resin exhibited sedative and analgesic effects when tested in rats.
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It is used in rheumatic disorders. It is also used to improve appetite and in general weakness. It has an anti-diarrhoeal action.
Useful part:
Exudate resin; bark
Doses:
Resin- 2-3 gm; Decoction of the bark- 50-100 ml
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