Photo: Dinesh Valke from Thane, India / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Irimeda इरिमेद
Acacia leucophloea
Also known as: Irimeda Chhal (Kwath), Irimeda Chhal (for Kwath)
Part used: Bark
| Rasa (taste) | Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent) |
|---|---|
| Guna (qualities) | Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry) |
| Virya (potency) | Ushna (Hot) |
| Vipaka | Katu (Pungent) |
| Dosha | Balances Kapha & Vata |
| Prabhava | Classical systemic action |
Key takeaways
- Botanical name: Acacia leucophloea
- Part used: Bark
- Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata
- Typical dose: Bark decoction used as a gargle or in medicated oil.
Irimeda in other languages
Introduction
This is Acacia leucophloea, the white-barked acacia or Safed Kikar — a thorny tree of dry Indian plains with distinctive pale, flaking bark.
It is used in Irimedadi Taila, the classical oil for the gums and mouth. Note that the classical Irimeda of the Nighantus is generally identified as Vachellia farnesiana, a different species with its own page on this site; the manufacturing sheet specifies A. leucophloea for this preparation, so it is listed separately.
Classification
Family Fabaceae. Stem bark is officinal. Rasa: Kashaya, Tikta. Guna: Laghu, Ruksha. Virya: Sheeta. Vipaka: Katu. Doshaghnata: pacifies Kapha and Pitta.
Uses & benefits
Used chiefly in oral care — as a decoction for gargling and as the base of Irimedadi Taila for spongy, bleeding gums, loose teeth and mouth ulcers. The bark is also applied to wounds and used internally in diarrhoea for its astringency.
Safed Kikar for the gums
Its astringency tightens spongy gums and checks bleeding, which is the whole purpose of the Irimedadi preparation.
Safed Kikar for wounds and the bowel
Used as a wash for slow-healing wounds and internally in diarrhoea, on the same astringent principle.
Dosage — how much to take
Bark decoction used as a gargle or in medicated oil. Internally, bark powder 3–6 g per day where a physician directs.
Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm with a qualified Vaidya.
Traditional uses — questions answered from the classical texts
Answers are drawn from the citations and properties recorded for this drug. No chapter-and-verse reference appears that the record does not carry.
Which classical texts describe Irimeda?
The citations held for Irimeda in this catalogue are: Sushruta Samhita (Chikitsasthana — Mukharoga); Bhavaprakasha Nighantu (Vatadi Varga — Irimeda).
What does the Sushruta Samhita record about Irimeda?
Astringent barks used in disorders of the mouth and gums. Reference: Sushruta Samhita — Chikitsasthana — Mukharoga.
What does the Bhavaprakasha Nighantu record about Irimeda?
The classical entry is generally read as Vachellia farnesiana; A. leucophloea is used in the same role in practice. Reference: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu — Vatadi Varga — Irimeda.
What is Irimeda traditionally used for in Ayurveda?
Used chiefly in oral care — as a decoction for gargling and as the base of Irimedadi Taila for spongy, bleeding gums, loose teeth and mouth ulcers. The bark is also applied to wounds and used internally in diarrhoea for its astringency.
What are the Ayurvedic properties of Irimeda?
Rasa Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent), Guna Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry), Virya Ushna (Hot), Vipaka Katu (Pungent). Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata. Prabhava: Classical systemic action.
Why is Irimeda classified the way it is?
In dravya-guna a drug's dosha action follows from its taste, qualities, potency and post-digestive effect. Irimeda carries Ushna (Hot) virya and Katu (Pungent) vipaka, which together give the recorded action: Balances Kapha & Vata.
Which part of Irimeda is used medicinally?
The part used is Bark.
How much Irimeda is taken, and how?
Bark decoction used as a gargle or in medicated oil. Internally, bark powder 3–6 g per day where a physician directs. Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm it with a qualified Vaidya.
When should Irimeda be avoided?
Well tolerated. Astringent, so prolonged internal use may cause constipation. Two species are traded as Irimeda — check the botanical name if a prescription specifies one.
Where does Irimeda grow?
A thorny tree of dry deciduous forest and open scrub across the Indian plains, common in the Deccan, Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Classical references
- Bhavaprakasha Nighantu — Vatadi Varga — Irimeda
The classical entry is generally read as Vachellia farnesiana; A. leucophloea is used in the same role in practice. - Sushruta Samhita — Chikitsasthana — Mukharoga
Astringent barks used in disorders of the mouth and gums.
Safety & precautions
Well tolerated. Astringent, so prolonged internal use may cause constipation. Two species are traded as Irimeda — check the botanical name if a prescription specifies one.
Where it grows
A thorny tree of dry deciduous forest and open scrub across the Indian plains, common in the Deccan, Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Frequently asked questions
Why are there two Irimeda pages?
Because two different species are traded under the name — Vachellia farnesiana, the usual classical identification, and Acacia leucophloea, which this manufacturing sheet specifies. We keep them apart rather than merge two species.
What is it used for?
Mainly the mouth and gums, as a gargle and as the base of Irimedadi Taila for oil-pulling and gum massage.
