Photo: Dinesh Valke from Thane, India / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Syonaka श्योनाक
Oroxylum indicum
Part used: Root, Stem
| 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: Oroxylum indicum
- Part used: Root, Stem
- Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata
- Typical dose: Root bark powder 3–6 g per day; decoction 50–100 ml twice daily.
Syonaka in other languages
Introduction
Syonaka (Oroxylum indicum) is the broken-bones tree, named for the way its great sword-shaped pods litter the ground beneath it. Its root bark is one of the ten roots of Dashamula.
It is a bitter, astringent, warming drug used for the chest and the bowel — cough, diarrhoea and the aching weakness of a long fever.
Classification
Family Bignoniaceae. Root bark is the officinal part; the stem bark and seed are used in some preparations. Rasa: Tikta, Kashaya, Madhura. Guna: Laghu, Ruksha. Virya: Ushna. Vipaka: Katu. Doshaghnata: pacifies all three doshas; one of the Brihat Panchamula.
Uses & benefits
Given in cough and bronchitis, in diarrhoea and dysentery, and in fever with body ache. As part of Dashamula it contributes both bitterness and warmth. Classical texts also list it in Amavata and in skin complaints.
Syonaka in Dashamula
One of the greater five roots, it appears in every Dashamula preparation and contributes the bitter-astringent element that steadies the compound.
Syonaka for cough and the bowel
Used alone in cough with congestion and in diarrhoea with griping, where its astringency and warmth act together.
Dosage — how much to take
Root bark powder 3–6 g per day; decoction 50–100 ml twice daily. Usually taken within Dashamula.
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 Syonaka?
The citations held for Syonaka in this catalogue are: Charaka Samhita (Sutrasthana 4 — Brihat Panchamula); Bhavaprakasha Nighantu (Guduchyadi Varga — Shyonaka).
What does the Charaka Samhita record about Syonaka?
One of the five greater roots of Dashamula. Reference: Charaka Samhita — Sutrasthana 4 — Brihat Panchamula.
What does the Bhavaprakasha Nighantu record about Syonaka?
Tikta-kashaya rasa, ushna virya; tridoshahara. Reference: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu — Guduchyadi Varga — Shyonaka.
What is Syonaka traditionally used for in Ayurveda?
Given in cough and bronchitis, in diarrhoea and dysentery, and in fever with body ache. As part of Dashamula it contributes both bitterness and warmth. Classical texts also list it in Amavata and in skin complaints.
What are the Ayurvedic properties of Syonaka?
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 Syonaka classified the way it is?
In dravya-guna a drug's dosha action follows from its taste, qualities, potency and post-digestive effect. Syonaka carries Ushna (Hot) virya and Katu (Pungent) vipaka, which together give the recorded action: Balances Kapha & Vata.
Which part of Syonaka is used medicinally?
The part used is Root, Stem.
How much Syonaka is taken, and how?
Root bark powder 3–6 g per day; decoction 50–100 ml twice daily. Usually taken within Dashamula. Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm it with a qualified Vaidya.
When should Syonaka be avoided?
Well tolerated at classical doses. Warming and drying; may aggravate Pitta if used alone in excess. Consult a physician in pregnancy.
Where does Syonaka grow?
A small tree of moist deciduous forest throughout India, common in the sub-Himalayan tract, the Western Ghats and the north-east.
Which classical formulations include Syonaka?
Dashamula.
Classical references
- Charaka Samhita — Sutrasthana 4 — Brihat Panchamula
One of the five greater roots of Dashamula. - Bhavaprakasha Nighantu — Guduchyadi Varga — Shyonaka
Tikta-kashaya rasa, ushna virya; tridoshahara.
Safety & precautions
Well tolerated at classical doses. Warming and drying; may aggravate Pitta if used alone in excess. Consult a physician in pregnancy.
Where it grows
A small tree of moist deciduous forest throughout India, common in the sub-Himalayan tract, the Western Ghats and the north-east.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called the broken-bones tree?
From the appearance of its long flat pods scattered on the ground beneath the tree, which suggest a heap of bones. The name is descriptive, not therapeutic.
Which part is used?
The root bark, chiefly as part of Dashamula. Some preparations in this catalogue specify the stem instead, following the particular text.
Part of: Dashamula
