Ceylon Oak Kosamra: Schleichera oleosa Uses, Research

Ceylon Oak – Schleichera oleosa is called Koshamra in Ayurveda. Its bark is antioxidant, used in rheumatoid arthritis, headache. Its oil, Kusum oil, is used for treating ulcers, intestinal parasites etc.
Botanical Name- Schleichera trijuga Willd .. (Schleichera oleosa (Lour) Merr.)
Family- Sapindaceae (Arishtaka Kula)

Vernacular names

Names in different languages:
English name- Ceylon oak, Lac tree, Honey tree, Gum lac tree, Macassar oil tree
Hindi name- Kusum – कुसुम
Malayalam Name- Pusham, Cottilai
Marathi name – Kusumb – कुसुम्ब
Telugu name- Adavi Mamidi, Posku, Busi, pusku, kosangi
Tamil name- Pumarat, Kumbadiri
Kannada name- jendal Chakoth, Chakota (not to be confused with Chakkota, which is a different Citrus fruit).
Gujarati name – કોસુમ્બ Kosumb

Sanskrit synonyms

Kosamra, Kshudramra, Vanamra – similar to mango in qualities
Krumivruksha, Krumitaru – The tree attracts insects
Sukoshaka, Jambuvruksha, Lalavruksha, Saraktaka, Ghanaskandha, Lakshavruksha, Jatudruma, Jatupadapa, Raktamra

Chemical composition

Schleichera oleosa chemical composition:
Triterpinoids, taraxerone and tricadenic acid A

Kusum oil chemical composition:
Oleic acid, Stearic acid, Gadoleic acid, Arachidic acid, Linoleic acid , Palmitic acid, and hydrocyanic acid.

Classical categorization

Charaka- Amla skandha – Group of sour tasting herbs
Sushruta- Nyagrodhadi gana, Amla Varga
Vagbhata- Nyagrodhadi gana
Kaiyadeva Nighantu – Oshadhi Varga
Dhanvantari Nighantu – Amradi Varga, Koshamra taila – Suvarnadi Varga
Bhavaprakasha, Rajanighantu – Amradi Phalavarga
Raja Nighantu – Amradi Varga, oil – Ksheeradi Varga

Medicinal properties

Schleichera oleosa medicinal properties
Rasa (taste) – Amla – sour
Guna (qualities) – Guru (heaviness)
Vipaka- Katu – Undergoes pungent taste conversion after digestion
Veerya – Ushna – Hot potency
Effect on Tridosha – Balances Kapha and Vata Dosha.

Part used, dosage

Part used- Stem bark, seed, oil
Dosage-
Decoction 50-100ml powder 1-3 g

How to take it?
Fruit is often served with salt. It improves digestion, useful in anorexia and nourishing.

Sanskrit verse

Uses, indications

Ceylon Oak uses:
Kaphahara – balances Kapha, useful in productive cough, asthma
Koshtashodhana – cleanses intestines

Indicated in:
Kushta – skin diseases
Shotha – Swelling, inflammation
Asrapitta – Bleeding disorders such as nasal bleeding, heavy periods, etc
Kapha Vrana – Ulcers, wounds with Kapha origin – with itchiness and secretions

Unripe Ceylon oak fruit:
Grahi – absorbent, useful in diarrhea, IBS
Vataghna – useful in treating disorders of Vata Dosha imbalance  such as neuralgia, paralysis, constipation, bloating, etc
Amla – sour taste
Ushna – hot
Guru – heaviness
Pittala – Increases Pitta Dosha

Fruit pulp:
Keshya – Improves hair strength, promotes hair growth
Vataghna – useful in treating disorders of Vata Dosha imbalance  such as neuralgia, paralysis, constipation, bloating, etc
Swadu – sweet
Snigdha – unctuous, oily
Balasakrut – increases Kapha.

Ripe Ceylon oak fruit:
Deepana – improves digestion strength
Ruchya – improves taste, relieves anorexia.
Laghu – light to digest
Ushna – hot
Kaphavatahara – Balances Kapha and Vata Doshas

The leaf, seed, oil and bark are used for treating rheumatoid arthritis, headache, myalgia, skin diseases and malarial fever and prophylactic against cholera.
The bark is astringent and is used in fever – antipyretic, useful in pruritus.

Kusum oil uses

Tikta – bitter
Amla – sour
Madhura – sweet
Balya – improves strength and immunity
Pathya – can be taken regularly
Rochana – improves taste, relieves anorexia
Pachana – Digestive, relieves Ama Dosha
Sara – induces mobility, causes diarrhea, relieves constipation
Indicated in –
Krumi – worm infestation
Kushta – skin diseases
Visha – Toxic conditions, poisoning
Vrana – Ulcers, wounds

Bark is astringent and mixed with oil, it is applied to cure itch and other skin eruptions. Oil expressed from the seeds is also used for the cure of itch and acne. It is a stimulating and cleansing applicator.

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.

Research

Invitro study of free radical scavenging activity of methanol extract (research)
Anti oxidant activity of stem bark
Antimicrobial activity
Its seed powder is mixed with water and given to cattle for removing worms from the stomach.

Sthanika Karma (Systemic Action)

External Application – its oil has Anti microbial, Antipruritic, wound cleansing property. Oil is good for hair and also indicated for pain. Seed powder is indicated in non healing wounds.

Internal administration

Digestive System – Fruit is Absorbent. Ripened fruit is carminative and improves taste. Seed oil is laxative and Anti microbial.Circulatory System – Bark decoction has hemostatic action. Purifies blood and reduces oedema.
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Reproductive system – Bark decoction is indicated in leucorrhea (pradara)

Tapakrama – Indicted in fever

Satmikarana – Anti poisonous ( As per susruta kalpa sthana – its kshara (Alkali) is indicated in Sarpa visha)