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| Latin Name |
English Name |
Sanskrit Names |
Hindi Name |
Symplocos racemosa
Roxb. (Symplocaceae)
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Lodh Tree |
Lodhra, Tilva,
Shavara |
Lodh |
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| History |
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This
tree, in Sanskrit, was called Lodhra, Rodhra or Srimata meaning "propitious",
and "Tilaka" because it was used in making the Tilaka mark
on the forehead. A decoction of the bark was used for gargling when
the gums were spongy and bleeding (Susruta). Roxburgh remarks that
the bark was popular among the dyes of red in Calcutta and seemed
to be used as a mordant only. In Europe it was formerly looked upon
as a cinchona bark and had been known at various times as "Ecorce
de lautour", "China nova", "China calafornica",
"China Brasilarsis", and "China paraquatan". It
was also known as "Lotus Bark".
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| Habitat |
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It grows
abundantly in the plains and lower hills throughout North and East
India, ascending in the Himalayas up to an elevation of 1,400 m; southwards
it extends up to Chota Nagpur.
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| Morphology
Description (Habit) |
S.racemosa
is an evergreen tree or shrub. The leaves are dark green above, orbicular,
elliptic oblong, coriaceous and glabrous above; the flowers are white,
turning yellow, fragrant, in axillary, simple or compound racemes;
the drupes are purplish black, subcylindric, smooth and 1-3 seeded.
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| Principal
Constituents |
Three alkaloids,
viz. loturine, loturidine and colloturine.
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| Indications |
The astringent bark
is given for the treatment of diarrhea, dysentery and liver complaints.
It is recommended in the treatment of menorrhagia and other uterine
disorders.
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| Product
Range |
Evecare (MenstriCare),
Styplon, Anti-Wrinkle Cream, Styplon Vet.
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