Shirisha, Albizia lebbeck- Uses, Medicinal Qualities, Ayurveda Details

Shireesha is an important anti-poisoning herb of Ayurveda. Its use is even indicated in snake bite poisoning. It grows into a big tree, usually found in road sides of Southern India.
Botanical name: Albizia lebbeck, Mimosa lebbeck
Family: Mimosoideae

Vernacular names, Sanskrit synonyms

Hindi name – Siris
English name – lebbeck, lebbek tree, flea tree, frywood, koko and woman’s tongue tree
Telugu name – Dirisena chettu
Tamil name – Vegiai
Kannada name – bage mara
Malayalam name – Vaga
Punjabi name – Siri, Shari
Gujarati name – Sarsado
Bengali name – sirosh
Marathi name –Siras

Sanskrit Synonyms:
Kapitana – Flowers are yellowish in colour and resemble the colour of Monkey
Mrudupushpa – Flowers are soft|Mandila – Useful in many diseases like kasa
Shukapirya, Shukapushpa – flower resembles bird beak
Bhandi, Bhandira

Classical categorization

Charaka Samhita –
Vishaghna – group of anti-poisonous herbs
Vedanasthapana – Analgesic group of herbs
Shirovirechana – group of herbs that are used to cleanse and detoxify sense organs and brain
Kashaya skanda – astringent group of herbs

Sushruta – Salsaradi Gana
Vagbhata – Asanadi Gana
Distribution: It is quite commonly seen in all parts of India.

Morphology

Habit-Large unarmed deciduous tree grows 35 to 65 ft. in height.
Root-Tap root system goes much deep.
Bark- Pale, young shoots glabrous, bark is fissured.
Stem-Branched, woody, cylindrical
Leaves- Compound, evenly pipinnate, petiolate, stipulate, stipules are minute, leaflets are 3 to 9 pairs, opposite, sessile or sub-sessile, oblique, upper surface is green or mottled with white, under surface is lighter with unicostate reticulate venation
Inflorescence – Short stalked corymbose head. central flower is larger and old
Flower – complete, bisexual, fragrant, greenish yellow in colour
Fruits – Leguminous pod
Seed – Non endospermic, brown in colour
Useful part – Stem bark, and seed

Medicinal qualities

Guna (qualities) – Laghu (light to digest), Rooksha (dry), Teekshna (enters deep tissues, piercing)
Rasa (Taste) – Kashaya (astringent), Tikta (bitter), Madhura (sweet)
Vipaka (taste conversion after digestion) – Katu (pungent)
Veerya (potency) – Ishat Ushna – slightly hot.
Effect on Tridosha – Tridoshahara – It balances all the three Doshas
Pharmacological actions – Anti allergic, Analgesic, Anti inflammatory, Anti oxident, Anti spermatogenic

Albizia lebbeck uses

Of all the herbs that are useful to treat poisoning, Shireesha – Albizia lebbeck is the best.
Shothahara – relieves inflammation
Visarpaghna – relieves herpes, spreading skin disease
Kasahara – relieves cold and cough
Vranahara – brings about quick wound healing
Vishapaha – Useful in treating poisoning

Varnya – Good for skin, improves complexion
Kushtaghna – Useful in skin diseases
Kandughna – relieves itching, pruritis
Twak Doshahara – detoxifies skin
Shwasahara – useful in Asthma, COPD, wheezing, breathing difficulty

Part used, Dose, Research

Parts used –Bark, seeds, leaves and flowers of Albizia lebbeck are used for medicinal purposes.

Dose: Powder – 3 – 6 grams per day
Water decoction – 50 – 100 ml
Fresh juice – 10 – 20 ml

Substitute

Albizia marginate
Albizia odoratissima

Research:
Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity
Anti allergic activity

Ayurveda medicines

Ayurveda medicines with Shirisha ingredient:
Dashang Lepa – Useful in wounds, eczema etc.
Ayaskriti – useful in obesity, anaemia, vitiligo etc
Brihat Marichadi Taila – used in low back ache, spondylosis etc
Devdarvarishta – Used in skin and urine disorders
Vajraka Thailam – used in sinus and abscess.

Usage in poisoning

Its flower is squeezed and juice is extracted. It is triturated with black pepper and sugar and is used for nasal instillation, and for oral intake in snake bites. (Charaka Samhita, Chikitsasthana 25th chapter)

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.