Surapunnaga – Uses, Side Effects

Surapunnaga is explained with similar qualities as Punnaga – Calophyllum inophyllum. It is botanically identified as – Ochrocarpus longifolius (Mammea suriga) or Mammea longifolia.
Family- Guttiferae (Nagakesara kula)

Vernacular names

Names in different languages:
Hindi name- Lal Nagakesar
Tamil name- Nagappu
Bengali name- Nagkesar
Telugu name- Erra Nagakesaralu, Sura Punna.
Malayalam name-  Surampunna
Gujarati name – Rantu Nagakeshar
Marathi name – Surangi, Lal Nagakeshar

Sanskrit Synonyms

Sura parnika, Nameru, Surapati, Sugandhika, Deva Vallabha, Nameru,

Habitat

In southern west coastal side of India.

Chemical constituents

Ochrocarpus longifolius (Mammea suriga) – Major chemical constituents:
Stearyl Stearate, Stilbene, Squlene, B-sitosterol, Campesterol. Vitexin etc. from flowers and bud. Leaves Contain friedelin, amentoflavone, Vitexin etc. Roots- possess Surangin A&B, Taraxerol
(Reference: Illustrated Dravyaguna VIjnana, Vol. II, by Dr JLN Shastry)

Properties

Surapunnaga – Medicinal Properties
Rasa (taste) – Madhura (sweet), Kashaya (astringent)
Guna (qualities) – Laghu (lightness), Rooksha (dryness)
Vipaka- Madhura – undergoes sweet taste conversion after digestion.
Veerya – Sheeta – coolant in naturel
Effect on Tridosha – Kapha-Pitta hara.
Part used- Bark, Oil, Seed
Dosage– Bark decoction 50-100 ml, oil 2-5 drops, Powder 3-6 g

Uses

Medicinal uses:
Its medicinal uses are similar to those of Punnaga – Alexandrian Laurel -Calophyllum inophyllum

Asra – blood disorders such as abscess, skin disorders, bleeding disorders such as menorrhagia, nasal bleeding etc.
Pittahara – useful in Pitta imbalance disorders such as gastritis, burning sensation, etc.
Bhutahara – useful in psychiatric disorders

Kashaya (Decoction) prepared with bark – in divided dose of 50 – 100 ml per day is useful in treating diarrhoea, ulcerative colitis, dysentery.

Seed oil is used in small doses to treat dysuria, and urinary tract infection with pus formation (Pyuria).

Side effects

Seek medical advice for its use during pregnancy and lactation.
It can be used in children in small doses.

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 of the 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.