Soymida febrifuga – Indian redwood

An Overview, Benefits, Side Effects and Interactions


Best used for Diarrhea, Wound healing (व्रणरोहण) and as Febrifuge and Antioxidant

Family Name: Meliaceae 

Botanical Name: Soymida febrifuga A.Juss, Swietenia febrifuga Roxb.

English Name: Indian redwood

Hindi Name: Rohan (रोहण)

Sanskrit Name: Mansrohini (मांसरोहिणी)

Charaksamhita: Balya

Sushrutsamhita: Nyagrodhadi

Taste: Astringent, Pungent

Nature: Cold

Parts Used: Bark

Description


S.febrifuga is a medium to large deciduous or evergreen tree growing upto 30 m tall high, with trunk diameter up to 120 cm. The bark is tough, reddish brown in colour which gives reddish extract (resin).

Range


It is found in dry forests, particularly in E.Asia – northwest, centre and south India.

Chemical Constituents


S.febrifuga contains Deoxyandirobin, epoxyfebrinin B and its 14,15-dihydro derivative, febrinolide, methylangolensate, Beta-sitosterol, lupeol, febrifugin, myricetin, ampelopsin, naringenin and quercetin.[2]

Mode of Action


  1. Ayurvedic Doshas: S.febrifuga balances all the three doshas – Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
  2. S.febrifuga is aphrodisiac and anthelmintic. The Bark is antipyretic, astringent, antidiarrhoel, antidysenteric and bitter tonic.[1], [2]
  3. The Bark also possesses various pharmacological activities such as anticancer, antihelmenthic, antioxidant, malarial and antimicrobial.[3]

Therapeutic Benefits


  1. S.febrifuga has been used to treat Diarrohea, Dysentry and as a Febrifuge. It is considered effective in Malaria and Intermittent fevers[1]. It is said to be an efficient remedy for the dangerous Jungle fever of India, when quinine produces no effect. It has also been employed successfully against Typhus fever[4]. It cures sore throat and is an Antioxidant tonic[3].
  2. S.febrifuga has proven to be effective in treating bad cases of gangrene.[4]
  3. S.febrifuga is applied to rheumatic swelling and used as a gargle in stomatitis, decoction used as vaginal douche in leucorrhoea.[1], [2]
  4. Other uses: The tree yields a valuable timber and is also used locally as a source of fibre, dyes, gum and medicines.[4]

Side Effects and Risk Factors

  1. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: There is insufficient evidence regarding the safety of S.febrifuga in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding, hence should be AVOIDED in Pregnancy and BreastFeeding.

 

Sources

  1. DRAVYAGUNA-VIJNANA Vol.2 (vegetable Drugs) by Prof. P.V.Sharma, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, Varanasi, Sixteenth Edition:1995. 9th Chapter, Jwaraghnadi varga: Vranrohan drugs: Mansrohini (page no.-825)
  2. Soymida febrifuga – Plant Description – Birla Institute of …

  3. Soymida febrifuga – Useful Tropical Plants

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