Shirisha 
ØUseful in management of all toxicities and it is said to be an ideal antidote
ØHelps in managing painful conditions
ØUseful in inflammatory skin diseases especially of Herpes type
ØUseful in managing respiratory discomfort and cough
ØImproves complexion of the skin
Common Name:
Albizia or The woman's tongue tree
Sanskrit Name:
Shirisha- Means sacred or delicate flower; it points towards holiness and delicacy. It is considered so sacred that it is told to be the best among the plants useful in toxicities.
Shukapriya- It is the favorite food of parrot
Lt. Name:
Albizzia lebbeck- Leguminosae
Bio energetics:
Rasa (Taste)- Kashaya (Astringent); Tikta (Bitter); Madhura (Sweet)
Guna (Characteristics)- Laghu (Light); Ruksha (Rough); Teekshna (Acute in action)
Veerya (Potency)- Ishda Ushna (A little bit warm)
Vipaka (Post digestion effect)- Katu (Pungent)
Effect on Tridoshas (Three bio humors):
Shirisha pacifies all the three Doshas, i.e. it is useful in management of diseases involving either of the three Doshas or all the three Doshas.
Chemical constituents:
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The Shirisha bark yield tannins of condensed type, viz, D-catechin, isoners of leucocyanidin and melacacidin and a new leucoantho-cyanidin, lebbecacidin. It also gives friedelin and b-sittosterol.
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Shirisha seeds gave crude protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, niacin and ascorbic acid, amino acid, composition of the protein is: arginine, histidine, leucine, and isoleucine lysine. Methionine etc.
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The Shirisha flowers contain lupeol, a & b- amyrin and a pigment similar to crocetin.
Actions according to Ayurveda:
Vishaghna- Shirisha is useful in management of all toxicities and it is said to be an ideal antidote
Vedana sthapana- Shirisha helps in managing painful conditions
Shiro virechana- Shirisha is useful in therapeutic cleansing of the region above the clavicle; given through nasal route
Visarpaghna- Shirisha is useful in inflammatory skin diseases especially of Herpes type
Shwas kasahara- Shirisha is useful in managing respiratory discomfort and cough
Varnya- Shirisha improves complexion of the skin
Medicinal Value:
Methanolic extract of Albizzia lebbeck bark when administered orally at the dose level of 100 mg/rat/day to male rats of proven fertility for 60 days did not cause any significant loss in their body weights but the weights of reproductive organs, i.e. testis, epididymides, seminal vesicle and ventral prostate were decreased in a significant manner when compared to controls. Sperm motility as well as sperm density were reduced significantly which resulted in reduction of male fertility by 100%. Marked decline in the germ cell population was noticed. It shows its significant contraceptive use.
Useful part:
Bark; Seeds; Leaves; Flowers
Doses:
Powder- 3-6 gm; Juice- 10-20 ml; Decoction- 50-100 ml
Some important combinations with Shirisha:
Shirisharishta; Maha shirisha agada
Special notes on Shirisha:
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Shirisha is the best plant amongst all those useful in management of toxicities.
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In snake bite Nasya (Giving medicine through nasal route) and Anjana (A medicated eye cleanse) of white pepper treated with juice of Shirisha flowers for one week is of great use.
Ayurveda Herbs | 
Shirisha
