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Vamshalochana वंशलोचन
Bambusa bambos · Poaceae
Also known as: Vanshlochan, Tabasheer, Bamboo Manna
Part used: Siliceous concretion
Vamshalochana (Bambusa bambos) is bamboo manna — a white siliceous concretion that forms inside the hollow joints of bamboo. Ayurveda uses it as a cooling drug for cough, fever and burning, and it is the lead ingredient of Sitopaladi Churna, one of the most-prescribed Ayurvedic preparations.
| 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: Bambusa bambos
- Part used: Siliceous concretion
- Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata
- Typical dose: Powder 0.5–2 g; central to Sitopaladi and cooling respiratory formulas.
Vamshalochana in other languages
Introduction
Vamshalochana (Bambusa bambos, bamboo manna/tabasheer) is the cooling silica-rich exudate found in bamboo stems, prized for the lungs, cooling and rejuvenation. Sweet and cooling, it is a classical Rasayana and a key ingredient of Sitopaladi.
Classification
Grouped among the cooling, Pitta-pacifying Rasayana dravyas, Vamshalochana's sweet-astringent taste and cooling potency soothe the respiratory tract and calm heat.
Uses & benefits
Bamboo manna is a cooling drug used in cough with dry, irritable throat, in burning and in thirst, and as a Rasayana in weakness following fever. It is one of the few cooling drugs given in respiratory complaints, and suits Pitta-dominant cough.
Vamshalochana for cough
Its principal use, and the lead drug of Sitopaladi Churna — cooling and soothing, so it suits a dry irritable cough.
Vamshalochana for fever
Used in Pitta fevers with burning, and in the fever that accompanies respiratory illness.
Vamshalochana for burning sensation
A Dahaprashamana drug used where heat dominates.
Vamshalochana for asthma
Used in Shwasa where the picture is dry and tight rather than congested.
Vamshalochana as a Balya drug
Cooling and nourishing, used in convalescence and in children.
Vamshalochana for excessive thirst
Named among the Trishnanigrahana drugs.
Vamshalochana for bleeding disorders
Used in Raktapitta on its cooling action.
Vamshalochana in children's formulations
One of the gentler drugs, classically used in paediatric cough preparations.
Vamshalochana for tuberculosis
A classical indication in Rajayakshma, used supportively within compounds.
Vamshalochana in Sitopaladi Churna
The lead drug of the classical cough powder, taken with honey.
Dosage — how much to take
Powder 0.5–2 g; central to Sitopaladi and cooling respiratory formulas. Follow your Vaidya's advice.
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 Vamshalochana?
The citations held for Vamshalochana in this catalogue are: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu (Karpuradi Varga); Sharangdhara Samhita (Sitopaladi Churna).
What does the Bhavaprakasha Nighantu record about Vamshalochana?
Described as cooling and Rasayana. Reference: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu — Karpuradi Varga.
What does the Sharangdhara Samhita record about Vamshalochana?
A principal ingredient of the classical cough formula. Reference: Sharangdhara Samhita — Sitopaladi Churna.
What is Vamshalochana traditionally used for in Ayurveda?
Bamboo manna is a cooling drug used in cough with dry, irritable throat, in burning and in thirst, and as a Rasayana in weakness following fever. It is one of the few cooling drugs given in respiratory complaints, and suits Pitta-dominant cough.
What are the Ayurvedic properties of Vamshalochana?
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 Vamshalochana classified the way it is?
In dravya-guna a drug's dosha action follows from its taste, qualities, potency and post-digestive effect. Vamshalochana carries Ushna (Hot) virya and Katu (Pungent) vipaka, which together give the recorded action: Balances Kapha & Vata.
Which part of Vamshalochana is used medicinally?
The part used is Siliceous concretion.
How much Vamshalochana is taken, and how?
Powder 0.5–2 g; central to Sitopaladi and cooling respiratory formulas. Follow your Vaidya's advice. Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm it with a qualified Vaidya.
When should Vamshalochana be avoided?
Very safe; widely used, including for children, within classical formulas.
Where does Vamshalochana grow?
Tabasheer is the whitish siliceous concretion found inside the hollow stems of certain bamboos across India.
Classical references
- Bhavaprakash Nighantu — Karpuradi Varga
Described as cooling and Rasayana. - Sharangdhara Samhita — Sitopaladi Churna
A principal ingredient of the classical cough formula.
Modern research
-
Potential Medicinal Application and Toxicity Evaluation of Extracts from Bamboo Plants
(see source). (2015)
A review of bamboo (source of Vamshalochana / tabasheer) extracts documenting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and other medicinal activities, with a silica-rich profile relevant to respiratory use.
View study doi:10.5897/jmpr2014.5657
Safety & precautions
Very safe; widely used, including for children, within classical formulas.
Where it grows
Tabasheer is the whitish siliceous concretion found inside the hollow stems of certain bamboos across India.
Frequently asked questions
What is Vamshalochana?
Bamboo manna — a white siliceous concretion that forms inside the hollow internodes of bamboo. It is not a plant part in the usual sense but a mineral deposit produced by the plant, and it is cooling rather than warming.
What is Vamshalochana used for?
Cough — particularly dry irritable cough — fever, burning sensations, asthma and convalescence. It is the lead ingredient of Sitopaladi Churna, one of the most-prescribed Ayurvedic cough preparations.
What is the dose of Vamshalochana?
500 mg – 2 g per day with honey. As Sitopaladi Churna, typically 1–3 g with honey two or three times daily.
What is Sitopaladi Churna?
A classical cough powder of five ingredients: bamboo manna, long pepper, cardamom, cinnamon and sugar. It is one of the most widely prescribed Ayurvedic preparations, taken with honey for cough and respiratory complaints.
Is Vamshalochana suitable for children?
It is one of the gentler drugs and is classically used in paediatric cough formulations. Sitopaladi Churna with honey is a standard children's preparation, though the dose should be set by a physician.
Is genuine bamboo manna available?
Natural bamboo manna is scarce and expensive, and most commercial material is synthetic silica or a substitute. This is widely known in the trade — a very cheap product is unlikely to be the genuine article.
What is Vamshalochana called in Hindi?
Banslochan or Tabasheer. In English it is bamboo manna or bamboo silica. The botanical source is Bambusa bambos, sometimes given as Bambusa arundinacea in older sources.
