The bark from the symplocos racemosa tree, called Lodhra in Sanskrit, means “that which makes the body firmer”. It is an ancient Ayurvedic herb that has been used for thousands of years to improve women’s health and cool pitta.

Rasa (taste): Kashaya (astringent)
Guna (quality) : Laghu (light) Ruksha (dry)
Virya (energy): Shita (cooling)
Vipaka (post digestive effect): Katu (pungent)
Dosha Effect: PK
Dhatus (tissues): Rakta (blood)
Srotas (channels): Artavaha (female reproductive)
Annavaha (gastrointestinal)
Lodhra Improves Complexion

A major contributing factor towards poor complexion is excess pitta, causing inflammation. Lodhra helps to make the skin more healthy by improving the absorption of nutrient which can then be delivered to the skin giving it a beautiful radiance.

Lodhra makes the body and skin very attractive

It helps the body maintain its shape due to the absorption increasing properties. The cooling and light quality of Lodhra is helpful in reducing inflammation and heaviness in the body due to excess fluid. The result is a firm, attractive body. It is helpful for absorption of nutrients in the colon, along with absorbing excess fluids throughout the body. Those who tend towards constipation should not be used alone, but formulated with other herbs to help increase moisture.

Stops Hemorrhaging

Hemorrhaging and nose bleeds can occurs when pitta is high in the body. Lodhra helps to thicken the blood because of the astringent property. The cooling property soothes the irritable nature of excess pitta in the blood and reduces inflammation.

Creates Alkalinity in the Body

The healing process is fastest when the body has a neutral to alkaline pH. Most diseases occur because of inflammation, creating a high pH in the body.By lowering the pH of the body, lodhra making it easier to control inflammation.

Postpartum Healing Ayurveda has been using Lodhra for thousands of years to help heal the mother’s body after childbirth. It also firms the tissues and helps the mother to regain her normal shape. Lodhra helps to detoxify the blood, to take away excess heat and to reduce weight due to internal inflammation.

It relieves diarrhea; is good for eyes; great for abdominal discharge or menstruation, pelvic inflammation; anti-itching; pacifies kapha/reduces ama; great for skin conditions; anti-inflammatory for reproductive organs; great for wound healing.

  • Lodhra removes edema and is antileprosy, haemostatic and wound healing. Hence its paste is used in skin diseases, swelling, bleeding wounds and ulcers.
  • Lodhra reduces pain and edema.
  • Ear discharge is treated with the powder of Lodhra.
  • Since it strengthens the gums, the powdered bark of Lodhra is used in tooth powders.
  • Lodhra is astringent and hence is useful in diarrhea, dysentery and tenesmus (constant urge to pass urine/stool).
  • Since Lodhra is a coagulant, it is used in bleeding disorders.
  • Lodhra causes excellent vasoconstriction of capillaries thus stopping bleeding and reducing swelling.
  • Lodhra reduces brochial secretion (mucoid discharge) and cough.
  • Lodhra is externally useful in conjunctivitis. The decoction is used for eye washes poultice prepared from Lodhra is used to foment the eyes.
  • Lodhra is useful in skin diseases requiring purification of the skin
  • Lodhra is especially useful in inflammation of the uterus and reduces leucorrhea and menorrhagia. Decoction is used for douche in diseases of the uterus.

Lodhra is a perfect herb to incorporate in a hot pitta person’s diet!