Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Lodhra

Symplocos racemosa Roxb.

Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa Roxb.) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Menorrhagia management supported by observational clinical data showing reduced menstrual bleeding. Listed in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (2001) as an ingredient in 32 classical formulations.

Key facts
Botanical nameSymplocos racemosa Roxb.
FamilySymplocaceae
OrderEricales
Pharmacopoeia statusListed in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (2001) as an ingredient in 32 classical formulations. No dedicated WHO monograph. Recognized in Ayurvedic, Unani, and Siddha pharmacopeias of India.
Taxon identifiersGBIF 7902154 · Wikidata Q15246164 · NCBI Taxonomy 1340885

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishLodhra
Latin/BotanicalSymplocos racemosa Roxb.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

  • Loturine (alkaloid, same as harman)
  • Loturidine (alkaloid)
  • Colloturine (alkaloid)
  • Symplocoside (flavanol glucoside)
  • Ellagic acid
  • Betulin (triterpenoid)
  • Beta-sitosterol
  • 19-alpha-hydroxyasiatic acid glucoside

How does it work?

  • Astringent action: Tannins precipitate proteins in mucosal lining and skin, tightening tissues and reducing exudation and bleeding.
  • COX-2 inhibition: Lodhra tannins confirmed to inhibit cyclooxygenase-2, reducing prostaglandin-mediated inflammation.
  • Capillary permeability reduction: Flavonoids and tannins synergistically slow capillary permeability, explaining hemostatic (bleeding-stopping) action.
  • Antioxidant: Flavonoids scavenge free radicals, protecting tissues from oxidative damage.
  • Estrogenic modulation: Bark extracts show phytoestrogenic activity, potentially explaining menstrual regulation effects.

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Menorrhagia management supported by observational clinical data showing reduced menstrual bleeding.
  • Wound healing confirmed in clinical trial comparing Lodhra paste to placebo.
  • Anti-inflammatory activity validated through COX-2 inhibition studies.
  • Leucorrhoea management supported by herbal infusion formulation studies.
  • Astringent and hemostatic properties confirmed through tannin-mediated protein precipitation mechanisms.

What do recent clinical trials show?

5 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • Generally considered safe within traditional dosage ranges. Astringent nature may cause constipation with prolonged high-dose use.
  • No significant adverse drug interactions reported; however, gaps remain in standardizing extract concentrations and verifying long-term safety.
  • Traditionally avoided during pregnancy. Should be used under practitioner supervision for gynecological conditions.

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kwatha (decoction), Capsules, Tablets, Asava/Arishta, Topical cream/lotion, Vaginal pessaries

Standard Dosage: 3-6 g bark powder per day in divided doses; 50-100 mL decoction twice daily; 250-500 mg standardized extract twice daily

Bioavailability: Moderate oral bioavailability of flavonoid glycosides. Loturine and other alkaloids show reasonable GI absorption. High tannin content (15-20%) may self-limit absorption by precipitating proteins. Proanthocyanidins undergo colonic metabolism to bioavailable phenolic acids.

Optimal Timing: Between meals for gynecological indications; after meals for diarrhea management; topical application morning and evening

Standardized Extract: Standardized bark extract (10:1) with minimum 5% loturine alkaloids. Tannin-rich extract (minimum 15% tannins as catechin equivalents) for topical astringent products. Lodhrasava (fermented preparation) with 5-8% self-generated alcohol.

Shelf Life: 30 months for bark powder; 36 months for tablets/capsules; 24 months for Asava/Arishta (improves with aging); 18 months for topical creams

Storage: Store below 25 deg C in airtight containers. Bark powder in moisture-proof containers (RH below 60%). Asava/Arishta in glass or food-grade HDPE containers at room temperature. Topical products at 15-25 deg C.

Marker Compounds: Loturine, Colloturine, Loturidine, Symplocosine, Ellagic acid, Gallic acid, Beta-sitosterol, Oleanolic acid

Extraction Methods

  • Aqueous decoction (traditional)
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (50-60% ethanol)
  • Cold maceration for tannin-rich extract
  • Sequential extraction for alkaloid enrichment
  • Spray drying of decoction

Synergistic Combinations

  • Ashoka (menorrhagia and uterine tonic synergy)
  • Nagkesara (hemostatic combination)
  • Dhataki (Asava fermentation and uterine tonic)
  • Manjishtha (skin complexion and blood purification)
  • Ushira (cooling and hemostatic synergy)

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Other clinical studies and reviews1

  1. Acharya N, Acharya S, Shah U and others. 2016. A comprehensive analysis on Symplocos racemosa Roxb.: Traditional uses, botany, phytochemistry and pharmacological activitiesJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 26851499 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2016.01.043

Laboratory and animal studies11

  1. Singh A, Mazumder A, Das S and others. 2026. Synergistic Anti-dementia Effects of Symplocos racemosa Nanoemulsion: Isolation, Molecular Docking, and In Vivo EvaluationCurrent neurovascular research. PMID 41930762 · doi:10.2174/0115672026421409260119050357
  2. Sen G, Sarkar I, Ghosh S and others. 2025. Phytocompounds of Honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa) in the management of COVID-19 associated rheumatoid arthritis (CARA)In silico pharmacology. PMID 40917526 · doi:10.1007/s40203-025-00419-0
  3. Rashid M, Rehman R, E Al-Hazemi M and others. 2024. Process optimization of adsorptive phytoremediation of mutagenic brilliant green dye for health risk management using chemically activated Symplocos racemosa agro-wasteInternational journal of phytoremediation. PMID 37735932 · doi:10.1080/15226514.2023.2259987
  4. Sood H, Kumar Y, Gupta VK and others. 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-MSBMC pharmacology & toxicology. PMID 33203457 · doi:10.1186/s40360-020-00453-y
  5. Farooq U, Khan S, Naz S and others. 2017. Three new anthraquinone derivatives isolated from Symplocos racemosa and their antibiofilm activityChinese journal of natural medicines. PMID 29329652 · doi:10.1016/S1875-5364(18)30011-6
  6. Farooq U, Naz S, Khan A and others. 2016. Isolation and characterisation of three new anthraquinone secondary metabolites from Symplocos racemosaNatural product research. PMID 26115076 · doi:10.1080/14786419.2015.1046133
  7. Durkar AM, Patil RR, Naik SR. 2014. Hypolipidemic and antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract of Symplocos racemosa Roxb. in hyperlipidemic rats: an evidence of participation of oxidative stress in hyperlipidemiaIndian journal of experimental biology. PMID 24617014
  8. Jung M, Choi J, Chae HS and others. 2014. Flavonoids from Symplocos racemosaMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 25549060 · doi:10.3390/molecules20010358
  9. Wakchaure D, Jain D, Singhai AK and others. 2011. Hepatoprotective activity of Symplocos racemosa bark on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic damage in ratsJournal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine. PMID 22022156 · doi:10.4103/0975-9476.85552
  10. Ahmad VU, Rashid MA, Abbasi MA and others. 2007. New salirepin derivatives from Symplocos racemosaJournal of Asian natural products research. PMID 17566912 · doi:10.1080/10286020500531993
  11. Bhutani KK, Jadhav AN, Kalia V. 2004. Effect of Symplocos racemosa Roxb. on gonadotropin release in immature female rats and ovarian histologyJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 15261983 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2004.04.022

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