Goraksha – Dalbergia lanceolaria Uses, Dose, Research

Goraksha – Dalbergia lanceolaria seed oil is used in relieving pain and inflammation. It is useful in rheumatoid arthritis, osteo-arthritis and in low digestion strength.

Botanical name- Dalbergia lanceolaria Linn.
Family- Fabaceae / Papilionatae Shimbi kula (Aparajita upakula)

Vernacular names

Names in different languages:
Hindi name-Gourakh
Telugu name-Takoli,  Tellavirugudu, Kondapachari
Tamil name-Erigai
Malayalam name- Pulrium
Assamese name – Meda-luwa,
Bengali name – Chakemdia
Gujarati name – Tantoshi
Kannada name – Bili Beeta, Belaga
Marathi name – Dondus

Chemical constituents, habitat

Dalbergia lanceolaria chemical Constituents:
Contain lanceolarin a glycoside (JLN Shastry – DravyaGuna) 

Habitat: It is found in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, China, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

Properties, part used, dosage

Dalbergia lanceolaria medicinal Properties
Rasa (taste) – Kashaya – astringent , Tikta-bitter,Katu-pungent
Guna (qualities) – Laghu – light to digest
Vipaka- Katu – Undergoes pungent taste conversion after digestion
Veerya – Ushna – Hot potency
Effect on Tridosha – Balances Vata and Kapha Dosha.

Part used- Whole plant, seed oil
Dosage-Decoction 40-50 ml

Sanskrit verse

Uses, indications

Goraksha medicinal uses:
Vedanasthapana – relieves pain
Shothahara  – relieves oedema, inflammation
Ama Vipachana – relieves Ama(a product of altered digestion and metabolism)

Indicated in:
Agnimandya – low digestion strength
Amavata – Rheumatoid arthritis
Daurbalya – weakness, lack of strength

Its seed oil is useful in relieving pain and inflammation.

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

Anti-inflammatory activity – Experimental research study was conducted by Plant Sciences Division, Agharkar Research Institute, Pune.
Topical anti-inflammatory activity of Dalbergia lanceolaria Linn. bark ethanol extract was demonstrated in albino mice using TPA-, EPP- and AA-induced ear oedema models in albino rats. The ethanol extract exhibited significant systemic anti-inflammatory activity in Carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema, by inhibition of histamine and prostaglandin phases of acute inflammation. The extract also showed significant activity against turpentine-induced exudative changes and no activity against granular tissue formation in cotton pellet-induced granuloma in albino rats. Thus, resultant anti-inflammatory activity might be due to effects on several mediators involving cyclo-oxygenase pathway resulting in prostaglandin formation and leukocyte migration from the vessels.

Analgesic activity:
The ethanol extract of Dalbergia lanceolaria. Linn. bark was subjected to pharmacological screening using various animal models. The extract showed analgesic activity when tested in acetic acid–induced writhing, tail-flick response, and formalin-induced licking tests in Swiss albino mice.

Sthanika karma (Systemic Acton)

Externally – External application of its seed oil reduce pain and swelling
indicated in arthritic joint pain

Internally
Nervous system – It alleviate vata dosha, Indicated in Amavata (Rheumatic joint diseases)

Circulatory System – Vrana sothahara ( reduce wound inflammation), Also good for joint inflammation

Digestive system – Carminative, Indicated in low digestive strength, constipation

Satmikarana – Helps to remove toxic metabolic waste and promote body strength

Ayurvedic medicines

Ayurvedic medicines with Goraksha as ingredient:

Karpooradi Churna – indicated in cough, cold, asthma