Shyonaka Oroxylum indicum Remedies: Arthritis, Bodyache, Oedema
This article is by Dr M S Krishnamurthy MD(Ayu) PhD.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Shyonaka is one among the Dashamoola (ten roots) explained in Ayurveda. It is appreciated for analgesic and anti inflammatory action. It belongs to Bignonaceae family. It is called Indian Trumplet flower in English.
The trees are found commonly in South India, especially in Karnataka and Kerala. In Gujarat , Uttarpradesh and Madhyapradesh also some of the species of Shyonaka are available.
Botanical Name
Oroxylum indicum
Bignonaceae family
The root contains oroxylin, pectin, astringent principles and citric acid.
The roots are are undergoing Katu vipaka (pungent kind of bio transformation) and is cold in potency (Sheeta veerya).
Dhanvantari nighantu appreciates its potent effect over the urinary bladder and respiratory system. Bhavaprakasha refers it as good carminative and its action as an anti diarrhoeal.
Shyonaka putapaka swarasa, Dashamoola kashaya, Dashamoolarishtha, Dashamoola rasayana, Brihatpanchamooladi kashayay etc are the important Ayurvedic medicines of this herb.
Read related: Sona Patha- Oroxylum indicum Benefits, Side Effects, Research
Home remedies
Few simple and effective medicinal uses are explained here below-
Rheumatoid arthritis
1. Root paste application over the rheumatic joints:
Fresh roots are collected and made into fine paste. This is applied over the joints, preferably during evening. This reduces the swelling and pain.
Joint pain, pedal oedema
2. Fine paste of Shyonaka – Oroxylum indicum leaf in joint pain and in pedal oedema:
Leaves of the trees are collected and fine paste is made. Little pepper and turmeric can be added, during grinding. This paste is warmed a little and applied over the painful joints and over the oedematous area.
Degenerative arthritis
3. Root decoction in bodyache and degenerative arthritis:
Dried roots are taken and coarse powder is made. Decoction is prepared out of this and administered twice daily in the dose of 20-30 ml. Little jaggery or palm jaggery can be added. This reduces body ache and degenerative arthritis.
General method of decoction preparation is –
1 tablespoon (10 grams) of coarse powder of the herb is added with 2 cups of water. Boiled in open air till the total content is reduced to 1 cup. This is filtered and used.
Body ache, sweating
4. Stem bark decoction for body ache, sweating and aching of the legs:
Fresh stem bark is collected and decoction is made. This is administered in the dose of 30-40 ml twice daily. This corrects body ache, sweating and aching of the legs.
Abdominal distension
5. Root powder or Hot infusion for abdominal distension:
Fine powder of the root – 1 teaspoon is mixed with a teaspoon of jaggery and administered in cases of mild abdominal pain. It’s hot infusion is also equally beneficial.
For body fomentation
6. Fomentation over the swellings by the Shyonaka leaves:
Syonaka leaves are collected and smeared with sesame oil or any classical oils. This is warmed and then tined or placed over the swelling. 5-8 days medication subsides pain and swelling.
The pods of tender fruits of Shyonaka can be used as vegetables. Folk people of Shimoga, Sagar, Shringeri, Horanadu, Kalasa, Kudremukh, Koppa places of Karnataka use it for the preparation of pickles also. The leaves of the plant are liked very much by the elephants. Awareness and education regarding the multiple uses of the plants is really needed so that the available plant resources are used in their full extent.
Synonyms
1. Dirgavrinta – Petiole of Syonaka leaves are very long.
2 Patrorna – Leaves have hairs.
3. Shonaka – Flowers of Syonaka are red in colour.
4.Putivriksha – The flowers have got very bad odour.
5. Sukanasa – Parrots won’t sit on this tree because of fetid odour.
6. Prithusimbhi- Fruit is very big pod.
7. Nata – Fruits are hanging in tree and looks like dancing.
8. Dunduka – Fruit move and cause sounds.
9. Kutannata – Fruits are bent and move, so appears like dancing.
10. Katambara – Protects one’s body from Vatadi vikara.
11. Soshana – Dries up water content
Regional Names
English – Indian trumpet
Hindi – Snapatha
Kannada – Tiguda
Malayalam – Peiam
Marathi – Tentoo
Classical categorization
Caraka-
Sothahara varga
Purişa Sangrahaniya varga
Sitaprašamana varga
Anuvasanopaga
Susruta- Ambashtadi varga, Brihat panjamoola
Bh.Pr.Ni- Guducyadi varga
Habitat
Syonaka is commonly found all over India especially in Foot hills of tropical India.
Morphology
Habit-Small tree grows upto 20 to 40 ft. in height, branched at the top.
Bark – Light brown, soft with green juice and often with numerous corky lenticules.
Leaves- Compound, large, very stout, cylindric, leaflets are 2 to 4 pairs, ovate or elliptic, acuminate, glabrous, base is rounded
Inflorescence- Raceme, 30 to 60 cm long or even more.
Flowers- Numerous, fetid, Calyx is 2.5 cm long, leathery, Corolla is usually purple in colour, reaching up to 10 cm long, fleshy stamens are 5 filaments cottony at the base.
Seeds- Numerous, 6 cm long, winged all round except at the base.
Useful part- Root bark.
Dried root bark is tough, curved or channelled pieces, Outer surface is corky having circular or semicircular root scars and a creamish brown colour. Inner surface is fibrous, greenish yel low in colour. On breaking becomes short and powdery pieces, doesn’t possess any characteristic odour. Tastes slightly bitter.
Phytoconstituents – Root bark yielded Chrysin, Baicalein Luteolin, Oroxylin A & Aloe-emodin.
Stem bark contains oroxylin A
Seeds contain tetuin, oroxin – A, and oroxin – B
Rasapancaka
Rasa – Tika Kaşaya Katu Madhura
Guna – Laghu, Ruksha
Vipäka – KAtu
Virya – Usna
Doşakarma (Action on Dosa) – Kaphavatasamaka.
Karma (Actions)
Mula twak- Sothahara, Dipana, Grahi, Kasahara, Vranahara, Bastirogahara, Atisaraghna, Rucya, Jwarahara, Pacana, Hridya, Rujahara.
Phala (Fruit)- Hridya, Rocana, Dipana, Arsoghna, Krimighna.
Pharmacological Activites – Antiinflammatory, Antiarthritic, Antibacterial, Diaphoretic, Stomachic.
Amayika Prayoga (Therapeutic administration)
1. Atisära (Diarrhoea) – Syonaka putapaka
Juice of Syonaka (Oroxylum indicum) extracted by closed heating is very effective in Arisära (Diarrhoea).
2. Udara (Ascites)
Taila (Oil) processed with Agnimantha (Clerodendron phlomides). Syonaka (Oroxylum indicum). Alkali of Palaia (Butea monosperma), Tilanāla (Sesamum indicum), Bala (Sida cordifolia). Kadali (Musa paradisiaca) and Apämärga (Achyranthes aspera) separately should be given in case of Udararoga (Ascites).
Mätra (Dosage)
Curna (Powder) – 1 to 3 g
Kwatha (Decoction) 20 to 40 ml
Yoga (Formulations)
Syonaka puta paka – Atisära, Udara vikära
Dasamula kaşaya – Sotha, Swasa
Daśamula ghṛta – Vätaja kāsa
Grahani, Aruci – Dasamulāriṣṭa
Substitute
Ailanthes excelsa Roxb.
Controversy
Dalhana considers Aralu (Ailanthes excelsa) as a type of Syonaka. But these two are different plants.
