Shirisha
Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth.
Shirisha (Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth.) is a plant drug, also called Bhandi, Mrdupuspa and Sirisa, from the Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) family. Listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India.
| Botanical name | Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. |
|---|---|
| Family | Fabaceae (Mimosoideae) · other entries in this family |
| Order | Fabales |
| Pharmacopoeia status | Listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Classified as a Vishaghna (anti-toxic/anti-allergic) drug in Ayurvedic classical texts. No WHO monograph. Used in multiple Ayurvedic anti-allergic formulations. |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 2973215 · Wikidata Q2717846 · NCBI Taxonomy 371650 |
| Sanskrit | Bhandi, Mrdupuspa, शिरीष (śirīṣa), Sitapuspa, Sukapriya |
|---|---|
| Hindi | सरस (sarasa) |
| English | Lebbeck Tree, Siris Tree |
| Tamil | வாகை, Vakai, வெள்வேங்கை |
| Malayalam | Nenmenivaka, Vaka |
| Telugu | Dirisena |
| Kannada | Bage Mara, Bagey, Hombage |
| Marathi | Siris |
| Bengali | Siris |
| Gujarati | Shirish |
| Urdu | Siris |
| Punjabi | Sareehn, Sirish |
| Oriya | Sersuan, Sirisha |
Sources: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (column alignment reconstructed); efloraofindia.com, Albizia lebbeck vernacular names: Hindi 'शिरीष shirish', 'सरस saras'; Sanskrit 'शिरीष'; efloraofindia.com, Albizia lebbeck vernacular names: Tamil 'வாகை vagai', 'வெள்வேங்கை vel-venkai'; efloraofindia.com, Albizia lebbeck: Hindi 'सरस saras'; efloraofindia.com, Albizia lebbeck: Sanskrit 'शिरीष shirish'; efloraofindia.com, Albizia lebbeck: Tamil 'வெள்வேங்கை vel-venkai'. How we source.
The evidence at a glance
12papers on this site for this drug, published 2011 to 2025, 11 with a DOI.
- 2Other clinical studies and reviews
- 10Laboratory and animal studies
A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Everything listed here is laboratory or animal work, which does not show an effect in people. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Shirisha |
| Latin/Botanical | Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Catechin
- D-catechin
- Melacacidin
- Beta-sitosterol
- Albiziahexoside
- Betulinic acid
- Echinocystic acid glycosides
- Lebbekosides A-C (saponins)
- Friedelin
- Lupeol
- Tannins
- Flavonoids (quercetin derivatives)
How does it work?
- Anti-allergic activity via catechin-mediated mast cell stabilization (IC50 85 mcg/ml) and inhibition of histamine release from IgE-sensitized mast cells
- Antihistaminic action through suppression of H1 receptor gene transcription and histidine decarboxylase enzyme activity in nasal mucosa
- Anti-inflammatory effects via saponin-mediated (echinocystic acid) inhibition of COX-2, LOX and NF-kB signaling
- Neuroprotective mechanism through modulation of unfolded protein response (UPR) and reduction of ER stress-induced apoptosis
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.
- Traditionally used for allergic and asthmatic conditions. Studies have reported mast cell stabilizing and antihistaminic activity. Clinical studies have reported improved PEFR and reduced eosinophil count.
- Traditionally used for inflammation. Animal studies have reported anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced paw edema and adjuvant arthritis models.
- Vishaghna (anti-toxic): traditionally used against toxins. Studies have reported hepatoprotective and detoxification activity.
- Traditionally used for diarrhea. Animal studies using castor oil-induced diarrhea models have reported reduced stool frequency.
What do recent studies show?
- Nurul IM, Mizuguchi H, Shahriar M and others 2011. Albizia lebbeck suppresses histamine signaling by the inhibition of histamine H1 receptor and histidine decarboxylase gene transcriptions. International immunopharmacology. PMID 21782040 · doi:10.1016/j.intimp.2011.07.003
Demonstrated that bark extract suppresses allergic responses at the transcriptional level by inhibiting H1R and HDC mRNA expression and reducing histamine content in nasal mucosa. - Phoraksa O, Chimkerd C, Thiyajai P and others 2023. Neuroprotective Effects of Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. Leaf Extract against Glutamate-Induced Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Apoptosis in Human Microglial Cells. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 37513900 · doi:10.3390/ph16070989
Leaf extract protected human microglial cells from glutamate-induced ER stress and apoptosis through modulation of UPR signaling pathway, suggesting novel neuroprotective applications.
Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.
Recent safety updates
- Bark decoction is traditionally used in Ayurvedic practice for bronchial asthma
- Saponin-rich preparations may cause GI irritation at high doses; seed powder should be used with caution. Not recommended during pregnancy without supervision.
What is it made of?
Key Active Markers
- Catechin
- Sitosterol
- Glycosides
- Saponins
- Friedelin
- Lupeol
- Tannins
- Flavonoids
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kwatha (decoction), Capsule, Tablet, Avaleha (confection), Taila (medicated oil), Nasya (nasal drops), Lepa (external paste)
Standard Dosage: 3-6 g bark powder per day; 50-100 mL kwatha twice daily; 500-1000 mg standardized extract capsule twice daily; 2-4 drops nasya oil per nostril
Optimal Timing: Before meals for anti-allergic action; nasya in morning on empty stomach after facial steaming; avaleha with honey for respiratory conditions
Storage: Store below 25 deg C in airtight containers, protected from light and moisture. Nasya oil in amber glass dropper bottles.
Marker Compounds: Albizia saponin C, Albizia saponin D, Melacacidin, D-catechin, Friedelin, Beta-sitosterol, Echinocystic acid
Synergistic Combinations
- Haridra (potent anti-allergic synergy, Shirisha-Haridra combination for allergic rhinitis)
- Vasa (asthma and respiratory allergy formulations)
- Pippali (Shvasa-Kasa formulations)
- Yashtimadhu (anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic combination)
- Kantakari (comprehensive anti-asthma formulation)
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 reviews2
- 2025. A review of the developments in adsorbents for the efficient adsorption of ibuprofen from wastewaterRSC advances. PMID 40453119 · doi:10.1039/d5ra02007g
- 2022. A Comprehensive Insight into the Phytochemical, Pharmacological Potential, and Traditional Medicinal Uses of Albizia lebbeck (L.) BenthEvidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. PMID 35497931 · doi:10.1155/2022/5359669
Laboratory and animal studies10
- 2024. A novel edible coating based on Albizia [Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth.] gum delays softening and maintains quality of harvested guava fruits during storageInternational journal of biological macromolecules. PMID 39067721 · doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.134096
- 2024. Yield model and yield table construction in Albizia (Albizia lebbeck (L.) under the western agro-climatic zone of Tamil Nadu, Southern IndiaEnvironmental science and pollution research international. PMID 37707729 · doi:10.1007/s11356-023-29716-x
- 2023. Neuroprotective Effects of Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. Leaf Extract against Glutamate-Induced Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Apoptosis in Human Microglial CellsPharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 37513900 · doi:10.3390/ph16070989
- 2023. Investigation of thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of Albizia lebbeck seed pods using thermogravimetric analysisBioresource technology. PMID 37321307 · doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129333
- 2022. Development and cosmeceutical evaluation of topical emulgel containing Albizia lebbeck bark extractJournal of cosmetic dermatology. PMID 34021684 · doi:10.1111/jocd.14244
- 2022. Anti-diabetic and anti-lipidepmic effect of Albizia lebbeck seeds against HepG2 cellsPakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences. PMID 35791478
- 2022. Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activities of Constituents from the Fruit of Albizia lebbeck L. Benth (Fabaceae)Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 35956773 · doi:10.3390/molecules27154823
- 2021. Albizia lebbeck and Albizia zygia volatile oils exhibit anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties in pain modelsJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 33301915 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2020.113676
- 2021. Biosynthesized ZnO Nanoparticles Using Albizia lebbeck Extract Induced Biochemical and Morphological Alterations in Wistar RatsMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 34202852 · doi:10.3390/molecules26133864
- 2011. Albizia lebbeck suppresses histamine signaling by the inhibition of histamine H1 receptor and histidine decarboxylase gene transcriptionsInternational immunopharmacology. PMID 21782040 · doi:10.1016/j.intimp.2011.07.003
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.
Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.