Falsa Fruit – Grewia asiatica Uses, Dose, Research

Falsa fruit is known as Parushaka in Sanskrit. It is used in Ayurveda since the times of Charaka and Sushruta. Ripe fruit is coolant, used in treating burning sensation, fever etc.
Botanical name- Grewia asiatica Linn.(G. Subinaequalis DC)
Family- Tiliaceae

Table of Contents

Vernacular names

Names in different languages:
Hindi name- Phalsa, Falsa
Tamil name- Palisa
Telugu name- Chitteeta
English name – Phasla fruit
Synonyms- Alpasthi, Paraoaram
Sindhi name – Pharwa
Urdu name – فالسہ
Kannada Name – Tadasala
Malayalam Name – Chitindal

Chemical composition

Grewia asiatica chemical composition:
There is essential oil in the seeds bark- B-amyrin, betulin, Lupeol
Flower- Glycosides like pelargonidin, delphinine, Cyanidin
(Reference: Illustrated Dravyaguna Vijnana, Vol. II, by Dr JLN Shastry)

Classical categorization

Charaka-
Virecanopaga – Group of herbs useful in Virechana (Purgation) Panchakarma treatment
Jvarahara – Fever relieving group of herbs
Shramahara – Fatigue relieving group of herbs
Sushruta- Parusakadi gana
Vagbhata- Parusakadi gana
BhavaPrakasha – Poorva Khanda, Mishra Prakarana, Amradi Phala Varga (group of fruits like Mango etc)
Raja Nighantu – Amradi Varga

Habitat

Found in India, Pakistan, Cambodia and other tropical countries

Medicinal properties

Phalsa – medicinal properties
Guna (qualities) – Laghu – light to digest, Snigdha – unctuous, oily
Rasa (taste) – Madhura – sweet
Vipaka- Madhura – Undergoes sweet taste conversion after digestion
Veerya – Sheeta – Coolant

Effect on Tridosha: Balances Vata and Pitta Dosha.
Unripe fruit increases Pitta and Vata Dosha.
Pharmacological action – Anti bacterial, Anti diabetic, Hypotensive, spasmolytic

Part used, dosage

Part used- Fruit, leaf, root
Dosage- Fruit juice 10-20 ml once or twice a day.

Sanskrit verse

Uses, indications

Falsa fruit uses:
Unripe Phalsa fruit – Is astringent and sour in taste, hot in potency, light to digest and increases Pitta Dosha and pacifies Vata.

Ripe Falsa fruit is Sweet and coolant.
Vishtambhi – causes constipation
Bruhmana – nourishing, improves weight
Hrudya – acts as cardiac tonic, congenial for heart
Ruchiprada – improves taste, relieves anorexia.
Shophahara – relieves swelling, oedema, anti inflammatory

Indicated in-
Daha – burning sensation, as in gastritis, neuropathy, burning sensation in eyes etc
Asra – blood disorders such as abscess, skin disorders, bleeding disorders such as menorrhagia, nasal bleeding etc.
Jwara – fever
Kshaya – depletion of body tissues, weight loss, tuberculosis

Phalsa fruit is used in making a fruit syrup drink called ‘Raaga’
This fruit is used to make juice – Panaka along with dates, raisins, jujube fruit etc.

Panchasara Panaka (juice) – prepared with raisins, Madhuka (Madhuca longifolia, Kashmari (Gmelina arborea), and Falsa fruit and a little bit of camphor is an excellent aphrodisiac, relieves burning sensation and excessive thirst. Read more about it

Ayurvedic medicines

Ayurvedic medicines with parushaka ingredient:
Parusakadi Leham – an effective Ayurvedic medicine for gastritis, abdominal pain and acid peptic disorders.
Drakshadi Kashayam – used to treat hangover produced after having excess alcohol. It also reduces the ill effects of alcohol and helps in quick metabolism of alcohol from liver.
Chandanadi Thailam – used to relieve burning sensation, dizziness, etc.

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.