Gambhari is one among Dashamoola group of herbs (group of ten roots). Its botanical name is Gmelina arborea. Its fruits bear nourishing qualities, brain tonic while the root is anti inflammatory (reduces pain, swelling, etc). Family- VERBINACEAE, Nirgundi Kula
Table of Contents
Vernacular names
Hindi name- Gambhara
English name – beech wood, gmelina, Goomar teak, Kashmir tree, Malay Beechwood, White teak, Yemane
Telugu Name- Peggumudu
Tamil Name- Umi-thekku
Bengali Name- gamar
Punjabi Name- Gambhari
Marathi Name- Shivana,
Gujarati Name-Savan
Tamil Name- Gumadi
Malayalam- kumbil, kumbulu, kumilu, kumiska, pokki

Categorization, distribution
Charaka-
Shothahara – group of herbs to relieve inflammation
Dahaprasahmana – group of herbs to relieve burning sensation
Virechanopaga – group of herbs useful in Virechana
Sushruta- Sarivadi, Brihat Panchamula
Vagbhata- Sarivadi
Bh.P – Guduchyadi varga
Distribution- Found throughout Deccan Peninsula

Chemical constituents
Gmelina arborea – Major chemical Constituents
B-Sitosterol, ceryl alcohol, Gmelinol, Butyric, &Tartaric Acids;Apigenin, premnazole, Arborone, Ardorel, Isoarborel, cutytyl ferulate, epiedudesmin, gemelanore, gmelauran, gummadiol, B-sitosterol, non-saponifiable fraction, saponifiable fraction, apiosylskimmin, octacosanol etc(Reference: Illustrated Dravyaguna Vijnana, Vol. II, by Dr JLN Shastry)
Morphology
Bark -greyish, yellow, corky
Leaves – Entire, glabrous, broadly ovate
Inflorescence – Hairy panicle
Flowers – Petals are brownish yellow
Fruits – Drupe
Medicinal properties
Gambhari tree – Medicinal Properties
Rasa (taste) -Tikta, Kashaya, Madhura
Guna (qualities) – Guru (heaviness)
Vipaka – Katu (undergoes pungent taste conversion after digestion
Veerya- Ushna – Hot potency
Effect on Tridosha – Balances Vata and Pitta
Bhedana, Sothahara, Deepana-Pachana Medhya
Parts used, dosage, side effects
Gambhari herb – Part used- Root, fruit, flower, leaves
Gmelia abrorea has two useful parts. One is roots and another one, fruit. Whenever Vata pitta balancing, nourishing functions are desired, its fruit is used, whenever strong anti inflammatory effect is desired, root is used. In this case, fruit is used.
Whenever, it is seen amongst Dashamoola (group of 10 roots), obviously root is used.
Dosage- Root bark decoction 50-100 ml, fruit powder 1-3 g
Side effects: There are no known side effects with this herb.
Sanskrit verse


Traditional benefits
Gmelina arborea – therapeutic effects:
Fruits
Gambhari fruit –
Among the substances useful in bleeding disorders and to improve blood production, Gambhari fruit (also known as Kashmarya Phala) is best.
It is –
Snigdha – oily, unctuous
Hima – coolant
Guru – heavy to digest
Swadu Rasa – sweet taste
Swadu Paka – undergoes sweet taste conversion after digestion.
Hrudya – acts as cardiac tonic, congenial for heart
Mutravibandhaghna – relieves dysuria
Raktapittahara – Useful in bleeding disorders such as nasal bleeding, heavy periods, etc
Keshya –improves strength of the hair promotes hair growth.
Rasayana – anti aging, causes cell and tissue rejuvenation
Medhya – improves intelligence
Kshayapaha – useful to improve depleted body tissues, chronic respiratory conditions, tuberculosis
Vibandaghna – Relieves constipation
Brumhana – nourishing
Shukrala – improves sperm and semen quantity and quality
Vatahara – balances Vata Dosha
Vrushya – Aphrodisiac
Trushahara – relieves excessive thirst
Dahahara – relieves burning sensation
Kshatahara – useful in relieving effects of blood loss, external injury.
Leaves, root
Gambhari leaves, root are –
Tikta – Bitter
Tuvara – astringent
Madhura – sweet
Ushna – hot potency
Guru – heavy to digest
Raktapittajit – Useful in bleeding disorders such as nasal bleeding, heavy periods, etc
Tridoshahara – Balances all the three Doshas
Shramahara – Relieves tiredness, fatigue
Dahahara – Relieves burning sensation
Artijit – Relieves pain
Jvarahara – Useful in fever
Trushnahara – Relieves thirst
Vishahara – Anti toxic
Deepani, Pachani – Digestive, carminative
Medhya – Useful intelligence
Bhedani – Relieves constipation
Bhramajit – Relieves delusion, dizziness
Shoshajit – Relieves emaciation
Its leaves are made into paste and applied over forehead to relieve headache.
Flowers
Gmelina arborea flowers –
Madhura – sweet
Sheeta – coolant
Sangrahi – absorbent, useful in diarrhea
Vatala – increases Vata
kashaya – astringent
Madhura – sweet
Sheeta – coolant
Sangrahi – absorbent, useful in diarrhea
Vatala – increases Vata
kashaya – astringent
Madhura Vipaka – Undergoes sweet taste conversion after digestion
Pittasrahara – useful in bleeding disorders
Asrugdara – Useful in heavy menstrual bleeding
Kaphapittahara – Balances Kapha and Pitta Doshas
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.
Research, substitute
Immune modulating effect – experimental effect
Substitute:
Gambhari fruits are used as substitute for grapes and raisins – Reference: Bhavaprakasha.
Ayurveda medicines
Ayurveda medicines with Gmelina arborea –
Since it is one among Dashamoola, it is an ingredient in
Dasamoola Kashayam – used in treating inflammatory conditions
Dashamoola taila – herbal oil, used in headache, migraine
Dasamoola Katutrayadi Kashaya – Used in cold cough.
It is also an ingredient in medicines like –
Shir Shuladi Vajra Ras –used in treating migraine, Trigeminal neuralgia, headache
Sahacharadi Tailam, Dhanwantharam Thailam – used in rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis etc
Sanskrit Synonyms
Kashmari – Very beautiful tree
Kashmiri – Grows in Kashmir region
Suphala – Fruit is beautiful and wholesome
Krushnavrinda – Leaf has blackish petiole
Katphala – Fruit resembles fruit of Katphala
Peetarohini – Yellow flowers
Madhuparni, Madhuparnika – leaves yield a sweet gel.
Sriparni – Leaves are very beautiful
Vatahrut – Gambhari alleviate vata dosha
Hira – It has rejuvenating qualities
Have always thought this plant was poisonous. Thanks for the information.