Abies webbiana – Taleesa Patra Uses, Research, Side Effects

Talisa pathra – Abies webbiana is an ingredient in a famous Ayurvedic medicine for cough – Talisadi Choorna, used in treating cough and cold. It is aromatic, appetiser, expectorant and mildly laxative.

Botanical name- Abies webbiana Lindle / Abies spectabilis D.Don. Spach.
Family- PINACEAE (Devadaru Kula)

Vernacular names

Names in different languages: 
English Name- Indian Silver fir, Himalayan Silver fir
Hindi & Bengali Name- Talispatra
Telugu & Tamil Name- Talisapatri
Kashmiri Name- Budul

Sanskrit synonyms

Dhatri patra, Amalaki Patra – leaves resemble to those of Amla tree
Patradhya – Abundant leaves
Madhurapatra – leaves are sweet in taste
Sukodara, Dara, Arkavedha, Ghanacchada, Neelam, Neelambaram

Varieties

Abies pindrow Royle is quite similar to A. webbiana in benefits.
Yadavji trikamjit quotes that three herbs are taken in the name of Talisapatra –
1. Taxus baccata – Also identified as Sthauneyaka / Thunekara.
2. Abies webbiana and
3. Rhododendron lepidotum.
Abies webbiana is more commonly used in the name of Taleesapathra.

Distribution

Found in Himalayas from Kashmirto Assam at 1600-4500 m
Major chemical constituents- Abiesin, N- triacontanol, B- sitosterol, Betuloside, abioflavonoid etc. abietane, betuloside.
(Reference: Illustrated Dravyaguna VIjnana, Vol. II, by Dr JLN Shastry)

Morphology

Habit- A small or medium sized evergreen tree.
Stem-Fluted
Branches- Horizontal, wide spreading, not whorled
Leaves – linear, flattened, distichous, acute, narrowed into a short petiole which is decurrent along the twig, dark green and shining above, pale yellowish brown or rusty red below.
Inflorescence- Male inflorescence is Catkin, female is with solitary flower.
Flowers- Male flowers sub globose
Female flowers resembling leaf buds, each consisting of a few imbricate scales which are surrounded at the base by a membranous cap shaped disk.

Fruit-In fruit the disk enlarges, becomes succulent and bright red and surrounds the olive green seed of which only the tip is exposed.

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Medicinal qualities

Abies webbiana medicinal qualities: 
Rasa (taste) – Tikta (bitter), Madhura (sweet)
Guna (qualities) – Laghu (lightness), Teekshna (strong, penetrating, piercing)
Vipaka- Katu – Undergoes pungent taste conversion after digestion.
Veerya – Ushna – Hot potency.
Effect on Tridosha – Kapha Vata Hara.
Pharmacological Actions – Antispasmodic, Emmenagogue, Antipyretic, Expectorant, Stomachic, Anti bacterial, Anti inflammatory

Part used, dosage

Part used: leaves
Dose: powder 2-5 g, in divided doses per day.

Sanskrit verse

Abies webbiana uses

Shwasahara – useful in treatment of asthma and chronic respiratory disorders.
Kasahara – useful in cough and cold
Deepana – improves digestion strength
Mukharogahara – useful in oral disorders
Hrudya – acts as cardiac tonic, congenial for heart
Aruchihara – useful in relieving anorexia
Gulmahara – useful in abdominal tumors
Amahara – Relieves ama – a product of indigestion and altered metabolism.
Agnimandyahara – Relieves indigestion, low digestion strength
Kshayahara – useful in chronic respiratory disorders, tuberculosis
Chardihara – relieves vomiting
Because of its expectoration and antitussive (anti cough) effect, it is used as ingredient in many Ayurvedic cough syrups such as Cofavin Syrup and Dekopfcyn cough syrup

How to take it?

Its leaves are dried under sunshade, ground into fine powder. It is administered along with honey or warm water in a dose of 250 mg – 2 grams, once or twice a day, as directed by an Ayurvedic doctor.

External application

Its paste is made with water and applied over the forehead to relieve headache.

Substitute

In case of unavailability, Bhava Prakasha mentions to use an herb called Swarna Tali.
In case of unavailability of Bharngi – Clerodendron serratum, Taleesa patra can be used as substitute.

Research

Antibacterial activity

Side effects

If used in higher than the prescribed dose, it may cause stomach irritation.
It can be safely used in children and during lactation. Consult your doctor for its usage during pregnancy.

Interaction with medicines, supplements

Can this be used while taking Homeopathic medicine?
Yes. This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.

Can this medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin tablets, Omega 3 fatty acids etc?
Yes. Generally, this product goes well with most dietary supplements. However, if you are taking more than one product per day, please consult your doctor for an opinion.

With western medicines
Seek your doctor’s advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic / modern) medicines. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is best to take Allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes and then take the Ayurvedic medicine.

Ayurvedic medicines

Ayurvedic medicines with Talisa patra –
Puga Khanda – used in the treatment of vomiting, gastritis, dizziness, abdominal pain etc.
Vyoshadi Vatakam – used for cold, cough and such other respiratory diseases.
Lavan Bhaskar Churan – used in the treatment of bloating, gas problem, spleen diseases, haemorrhoids etc.

Sthanika karma (Systemic Acton)

Externally – Reduce pain, indicated in headache for external application.

Internally
Nervous system – Indicated in Osteoarthritis, Rheumatic joint disease, sciatica, headache etc.

Digestive system – carminative, digestive, promote taste, facilitate proper movement of vata dosha. Indicated in loss of appetite, bloating, Anorexia, phantom tumor etc.

Respiratory System –Reduce excess kapha. Indicated in kasa (Cough) and Swasa, kshaya (Tuberculosis), Hoarseness of voice

Excretory system – Helps to increase urine production. Indicated in dysuria

Satmikarana – Promote body strength

Tapakrama – Indicated in fever of vata kapha origin. Also indicated in inflammation of the upper respiratory tract.