# Vamsha

> Vamsha (Bambusa bambos) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Choline from bamboo leaves has high oral bioavailability (~70%). Flavonoids (orientin, vitexin, isoorientin) from leaves have moderate bioavailability (~15-25%). Silicon absorption is enhanced in acidic pH; co-administer with citric acid or Amalaki (vitamin C source).

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Bambusa bambos

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Vamsha |

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

| Property | Value | Description |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| **Rasa** (Taste) | Madhura, Kashaya | Primary taste |
| **Guna** (Quality) | Laghu, Ruksha | Physical quality |
| **Virya** (Potency) | Sheeta | Heating/Cooling effect |
| **Vipaka** (Post-digestive) | Madhura | Post-digestive effect |

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Vamshalochana (bamboo manna) Churna, Capsule, Tablet, Avaleha ([Sitopaladi Churna](/formulation/sitopaladi-churna/)), Kwatha (decoction of leaves), Svarasa (stem juice)

**Standard Dosage:** Vamshalochana: 250 mg-1 g twice daily; Bamboo shoot/leaf preparation: 3-6 g twice daily; as part of Sitopaladi Churna: 1-3 g with honey

**Bioavailability:** Vamshalochana (bamboo manna/tabasheer) is primarily [silica](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#silica) (70-90% SiO2), mostly as amorphous opaline silica with moderate bioavailability (~25-35% as orthosilicic acid in gastric acid). Choline from bamboo leaves has high oral bioavailability (~70%). [Flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/) ([orientin](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#orientin), [vitexin](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#vitexin), [isoorientin](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#isoorientin)) from leaves have moderate bioavailability (~15-25%). [Silicon](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#silicon) absorption is enhanced in acidic pH; co-administer with [citric acid](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#citric-acidcitric-acid) or Amalaki (vitamin C source).

**Optimal Timing:** After meals with honey for respiratory conditions; morning with warm milk for general tonic effect

**Standardized Extract:** Vamshalochana standardized to >70% SiO2 by gravimetric/ICP-OES analysis; bamboo leaf extract standardized to >3% total flavonoids (as orientin equivalent by HPLC)

**Shelf Life:** Vamshalochana (manna): indefinite if stored dry (inorganic mineral); Leaf powder: 12 months; Capsules/Tablets: 24-36 months

**Storage:** Vamshalochana in airtight containers, protected from moisture (silica is hygroscopic). Leaf products in airtight, light-resistant containers at 15-25 deg C.

**Marker Compounds:** Silicon dioxide (amorphous), Orientin, Vitexin, Isoorientin, [Isovitexin](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#isovitexin), Choline, p-Coumaric acid, Ferulic acid, [Tricin](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#tricin)

### Extraction Methods

- Collection of natural bamboo manna (exudate from nodes)
- Aqueous decoction of leaves
- Hydroethanolic extraction (50-60% ethanol) of leaves
- Acid digestion for silicon quantification
- Ethanol extraction of bamboo shoots

### Synergistic Combinations

- Sitopaladi Churna components: Vamshalochana + [Pippali](/herb/pippali/) + Ela + Twak + Mishri - classical respiratory formula
- [Pravala Pishti](/herb/pravala-pishti/) (coral calcium) - complementary mineral supplementation
- Amalaki - vitamin C enhances silicon absorption
- [Yashtimadhu](/herb/yashtimadhu/) - demulcent synergy for respiratory conditions

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

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- 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.