# Mochras

> Mochras (Salmalia malabarica (DC.) Schott & Endl. (syn. Bombax ceiba L.) - resin exudate) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Malvaceae (formerly Bombacaceae) family. Not in WHO monographs; recognized in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; Bombax ceiba is recognized in traditional medicine systems of India, China (TCM), and Southeast Asia.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Salmalia malabarica (DC.) Schott & Endl. (syn. Bombax ceiba L.) - resin exudate
- **Family:** Malvaceae (formerly Bombacaceae)
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Not in WHO monographs; recognized in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; Bombax ceiba is recognized in traditional medicine systems of India, China (TCM), and Southeast Asia

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Mochras |
| Latin/Botanical | *Salmalia malabarica (DC.) Schott & Endl. (syn. Bombax ceiba L.) - resin exudate* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- Shamimicin (unique compound)
- Bombasin and bombamalone
- Bombamaloside (glycoside)
- [Tannins](/reference/tannins/) (gallic acid, ellagic acid derivatives)
- [Flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/)
- [Lupeol](/reference/lupeol/) and beta-[sitosterol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sitosterol) ([terpenoids](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#terpenoids)/[sterols](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sterols))

## How does it work?

- Styptic and [hemostatic](/glossary/pharmacology/#hemostatic) action through tannin-mediated protein precipitation and vasoconstriction at wound sites
- Anti-inflammatory activity via flavonoid-mediated inhibition of COX and LOX pathways
- [Antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/) mechanism through gallic acid and ellagic acid-mediated free radical scavenging
- Anti-diarrheal effect through astringent tannins reducing intestinal secretion and motility

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Hemostatic and styptic (Raktastambhana) - validated through astringent tannin-mediated hemostatic action in wound care
- Anti-diarrheal (Atisara-nashaka) - confirmed through tannin-mediated reduction of intestinal secretion and hypermotility
- Bone and tissue regeneration (Asthi-Sandhanakara) - traditional reputation as bone setter supported by anti-inflammatory and wound healing data
- [Aphrodisiac](/glossary/pharmacology/#aphrodisiac) ([Vajikarana](/glossary/pharmacology/#vajikarana)) - traditional use of [Shalmali](/herb/shalmali/) resin for sexual health partially supported by nutritional and hormonal modulation studies

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Kumari N, Radha, Puri S and others 2025. [Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Bombax ceiba L. Flowers as Source of Functional Food Development: A Review](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40825150/). *Chemistry & biodiversity*. PMID [40825150](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40825150/) · [doi:10.1002/cbdv.202500247](https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202500247)  
  Reviewed therapeutic potential of Bombax ceiba including flowers and resin for functional food development; documented antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and [immunomodulatory](/reference/immunomodulatory/) properties.

*2 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

- Resin (Mochras) is generally safe for external and internal use at recommended Ayurvedic doses; primarily used as astringent and hemostatic
- Limited formal toxicological studies on the resin specifically; some tannin-rich preparations may reduce iron absorption with prolonged use; generally well-tolerated

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (gum resin powder), Capsules, Tablets, Kwatha (decoction of bark), Lepa (topical paste), Avaleha (confection)

**Standard Dosage:** 3-6 g gum resin powder per day; 50-100 mL bark decoction twice daily; 500 mg extract capsules twice daily; topical paste as directed

**Bioavailability:** Tannins show limited systemic absorption but exert potent local astringent effects in the GI tract. Lupeol has moderate oral bioavailability (~20-30%) enhanced by lipid carriers. Shamimicin and related compounds undergo partial GI absorption. Gum acts as a prebiotic and bulk-forming agent without systemic absorption.

**Optimal Timing:** Before meals for GI astringent effect; between meals for hemostatic action; topical application 2-3 times daily for wound healing

**Standardized Extract:** Purified gum resin powder (free from bark fragments and impurities). Bark extract (10:1 hydroalcoholic) standardized to minimum 8% total tannins. Combined gum-bark preparation for comprehensive astringent action.

**Shelf Life:** Crude gum: 36+ months. Purified gum powder: 24 months. Bark powder: 24 months. Capsules/tablets: 30 months. Topical paste: 18 months.

**Storage:** Gum resin in airtight containers at room temperature; hygroscopic, protect from moisture. Bark powder below 25 deg C. Capsules in blister packs with desiccant. Topical preparations at 15-25 deg C.

**Marker Compounds:** Lupeol, Shamimicin, Gallic acid, [Mangiferin](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#mangiferin), Bombax ceiba tannins, Beta-sitosterol, Hentriacontane, [Kaempferol](/reference/kaempferol/)

### Extraction Methods

- Aqueous decoction of bark
- Collection of natural gum exudate
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (60% ethanol) of bark
- Cold maceration for tannin-rich extract
- Gum purification by dissolution and filtration

### Synergistic Combinations

- [Lodhra](/herb/lodhra/) (hemostatic and astringent synergy)
- Nagkesara (hemostatic combination)
- Praval Pishti (astringent and cooling for bleeding disorders)
- [Ashoka](/herb/ashoka/) (uterine tonic and menorrhagia)
- Kutaja (antidiarrheal combination)

---

Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/mochras/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.