Botanical Name: Dalbergia sissoo Roxb ex DC.
Family: Papilionaceae; Fabaceae
Introduction:
Latin name: Dalbergia Mr. Nicholas Dalberg; sissoo = from the Indian name shisav, or D.Iatifolia.
Names in different Indian languages
|
English |
Sissoo, South Indian Redwood, Sissoo |
|
Hindi |
Sisam, sisu |
|
Kannada |
Agaru, biridi |
|
Malayalam |
Irupul, sisam |
|
Sanskrit |
Shimshapaa |
|
Tamil |
Irupoolai |
|
Telugu |
Errasissu, simsupa |
|
Unani |
Seesham |
|
Folk |
Synonyms
Shimshapaa, Krishnashimshapaa, Picchilaa
Classification according to Charaka, Susrutha & Vagbhata
|
Charaka |
|
|
Susrutha |
|
|
Vagbhata |
|
Varieties & adulterants - (CV – controversy, AD – adulterants)
Morphology
The tree grows to 15 - 20 mtrs. in height. Its synonyms like krishnasaraand shyamla are suggestive of its appearance. It is also known as shisham. shishu. sisam, rosewood etc. Trunk- sturdy and round. Bark is fissured. Core is thick, hard and blackish in colour (good for making furniture). Branches tender, pointing downwards. Stalk of leaf - long, wavy with 3.5 leaflets flowers small. yellowish or whitish. Legume- thin with a single seed. On chewing a thin branch, the colour changes from white to yellow and finally it becomes red.
Varieties: 1) Krishnasara and 2) Kapilsara
Distribution & Habitat
throughout India
Chemical constituents:
Sissotrin, di-Me-tectorigenin,palmitic, stearic , oleic, linolenic , linoleic
Properties:
Guna: laghu. ruksha:
Rasa: kashaya. Katu, Tikta;
Vipãka:katu.
Virya: Usna.
Karma -
Dushtavrana hara, balyam, ruchyam, varnyam
carminative, digestive,astingent,cooling,diuretic, antimicrobial, antifungal, anthelmintic,
Srotogamitva:
Dosha: Tridoshashamak.
Dhatu: Rakta (leaves - hemostat, trunk shodhak), meda (diabetes), rasa (dysmenorrhoea).
Mala: Mutra.
Organ: Uterus (abortifacient), bastigami.
Indication:
Sopham, vrana, kusta, daha, medhas, vasti ruja
Ulcers, wounds, fever, skin disease, cough, piles, leucorrhoea
Part used:
Bark, heartwood, leaves, root
Dosage:
Leaf juice 10-15 ml
Powder 2-4 g
Decoction 50-100 ml
Uses: Since it pacifies all the three doshas. it is used in dermatoses, as an anthelmintic and a wound cleanser. Root. constipative. Leaves, appetizer, antimenorrhagic. Trunk - blood purifier, anti-inflammatory and is useful in dysmenorrhoea and menstrual disorders. Decoction o the leaves is used in burning sensation, while in fever, decoction of the trunk is used
Descriptions on Ayurveda books / Nighandu:
