Lodhra Bark (Symplocos racemosa): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Questions fréquentes

How does Lodhra bark work to stop heavy menstrual bleeding?

Lodhra bark works primarily through its astringent and uterine tonic properties. The active compounds, including loturine and betulinic acid, help tighten mucous membranes and strengthen the endometrial lining, which reduces excessive blood flow. In Ayurveda, this mechanism is described as reducing 'Rakta Pradar' (excessive bleeding). While direct clinical trial data is limited (Evidence Level C), traditional use suggests it regulates uterine contractions and tones the vascular walls of the uterus, effectively managing menorrhagia.

Is Lodhra bark safe to take during pregnancy?

No, Lodhra bark is considered unsafe during pregnancy and should be strictly avoided. As a potent uterine tonic and astringent, it stimulates uterine contractions and promotes downward movement in the pelvic region. Using this herb while pregnant may increase the risk of miscarriage or premature labor. Ayurvedic practitioners typically reserve this herb for regulating menstruation or for postpartum care to help the uterus return to normal size, but never during the gestation period.

What is the recommended dosage for Lodhra bark powder?

The standard adult dosage for Lodhra bark powder is typically 3 to 6 grams per day, usually divided into two or three doses. For standardized extracts, a dosage of approximately 500 mg is common. It is often taken with water or honey. Because the herb is highly astringent, it is best taken under the guidance of a qualified practitioner to determine the appropriate duration of use, especially when treating conditions like heavy menstrual bleeding or leukorrhea.

Does Lodhra bark interact with any medications?

Currently, there are no well-documented clinical drug interactions for Lodhra bark (Evidence Level C). However, due to its physiological effects, caution is warranted. Because it influences uterine contractions, it may interfere with hormone therapies or uterine relaxants. Additionally, its potential impact on clotting or bleeding parameters suggests theoretical caution when combined with anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications. Patients taking prescription drugs should consult a healthcare provider before use.

Can Lodhra bark help with leukorrhea (white vaginal discharge)?

Yes, Lodhra bark is a primary Ayurvedic remedy for leukorrhea. Its strong astringent action helps reduce excessive vaginal discharge by tightening the mucous membranes of the reproductive tract. The herb also possesses anti-inflammatory properties attributed to compounds like flavonoids and salireposide. While scientific validation is limited (Evidence Level C), traditional texts extensively document its use for resolving infections and normalizing vaginal secretions, often combining it with other herbs like Ashoka for synergistic effects.

What are the side effects of taking Symplocos racemosa?

The primary side effect of Lodhra bark is constipation, which occurs if taken in excessive doses due to its potent astringent nature. By drying up moisture in the digestive tract, it can cause hard stools or bloating. Individuals with chronic constipation or dry digestion should avoid it. There are no reports of serious toxicity at standard therapeutic doses, but adhering to the recommended 3-6 gram range is essential to prevent gastrointestinal discomfort.

Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed

Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.

Compilé à partir de 30 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b

Résumé

Symplocos racemosa, known as lodhra, is a small evergreen tree used in traditional Indian medicine for various ailments, including uterine disorders and skin diseases [PMID:26851499].

Contexte

Symplocos racemosa Roxb. belongs to the unigeneric family Symplocaceae and is found throughout tropical and sub-tropical countries [PMID:26851499].

Usages traditionnels

Ethnobotanical literature indicates its use in treating eye, skin, and ear diseases, liver and bowel complaints, tumors, uterine disorders, spongy and bleeding gums, asthma, fever, snake-bite, gonorrhea, and arthritis [PMID:26851499].

Composés actifs

The plant contains flavonoids (including sympracemoside) [PMID:25549060], phenolic glycosides (such as benzoylsalireposide, salireposide, symplocuronic acid, and sympocemoside) [PMID:17566912, PMID:12711144], anthraquinones (symploquinones A-C) [PMID:29329652], triterpenoids (betulinic acid, oleanolic acid, acetyl oleanolic acid) [PMID:40079725], and ellagic acid [PMID:40079725].

Mécanisme d'action

Phytoconstituents have demonstrated inhibitory activity against phosphodiesterase I [PMID:12711144], thymidine phosphorylase [PMID:15643556], alpha-chymotrypsin [PMID:18620032], and urease [PMID:17616900]. Some compounds inhibit NO production [PMID:25549060] and may act as matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors (MMP 2 and MMP 9) for wound healing [PMID:38497294].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve DHepatotoxicity

Ethanol extract of S. racemosa bark showed significant dose-dependent restoration of serum enzymes, bilirubin, albumin, and total protein in CCl4-induced hepatic damage in rats [PMID:22022156].

Preuve DFemale Reproductive Disorders

Aqueous extracts significantly stimulated serum FSH and LH levels in immature female rats, enhancing folliculogenesis [PMID:15261983].

Preuve DInflammation and Pain

Bark extract exhibited significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects at 300 and 500mg/kg doses in mice and rats [PMID:26045374].

Preuve DWound Healing

S. racemosa was found to be effective in experimental models of wound healing [PMID:15866825].

Preuve DPolycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

A polyherbal formulation (DXB-2030) containing S. racemosa reversed testosterone propionate-induced changes in female rats [PMID:30863446].

Preuve DMicrobial Infections

Sécurité et effets indésirables

In vitro biosafety was evaluated using Ames and MTT assays, and in vivo biosafety of flavonoids was determined by acute oral toxicity [PMID:33203457]. Phenolic glycosides benzoylsalireposide and salireposide were found to be nontoxic up to 500 microM/mL [PMID:15558843].

Synthèse des preuves

The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies and animal models (Level D), demonstrating potential hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, and antimicrobial activities, as well as effects on female reproductive hormones.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 26851499 (2016) — A comprehensive analysis on Symplocos racemosa Roxb.: Traditional uses, botany, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
2.PMID: 25549060 (2014) — Flavonoids from Symplocos racemosa. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3.PMID: 40917526 (2025) — Phytocompounds of Honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa) in the management of COVID-19 associated rheumatoid arthritis (CARA). · In silico pharmacology
4.PMID: 22022156 (2011) — Hepatoprotective activity of Symplocos racemosa bark on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic damage in rats. · Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine
5.PMID: 33203457 (2020) — Bioprospecting the antimicrobial, antibiofilm and antiproliferative activity of Symplocos racemosa Roxb. Bark phytoconstituents along with their biosafety evaluation and detection of antimicrobial components by GC-MS.

Lodhra Bark

Sources et citations

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