A Comprehensive Guide to Ayurvedic Specialties
Tejohva
Latin Name: Zanthoxylum armatum DC.
Family: Rutaceae (Jambeera Kula)
Classical Gana/Varga: Tiktaskandha, Shirovirechana (Charaka Samhita).
Sanskrit Synonyms: Tumbaru, Surabha, Vanaja, Sarava, Sairaja.
Regional Names:
Hindi: Tejabala
Marathi: Tejabala
English: Toothache tree
Morphology: A thorny tree approximately 6 meters tall. Stems and branches bear 1-2.5 cm long, flat thorns. The bark is pale smoky in color with deep fissures. Leaves are 4-17 cm long, ovate or lanceolate. Flowers are borne in terminal inflorescences 5-15 cm long. The fruit is pea-sized, ovate, with small oil glands and a glistening black seed. All parts of the plant have a pleasant smell.
Habitat: Found in the hot regions of the Himalayan slopes from Jammu to Bhutan, at altitudes of 1,000-2,000 meters.
Part Used: Fruit
Purification (Śodhana): Not explicitly mentioned in the source text.
Preservation: Not explicitly mentioned in the source text.
Attribute (Guṇa) Property
Rasa (Taste) Katu (Pungent), Tikta (Bitter)
Guṇa (Quality) Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry), Teekshna (Penetrating)
Vīrya (Potency) Ushna (Heating)
Vipāka (Post-digestive) Katu (Pungent)
Dosha Karma: Vataghna (pacifies Vata) and Kaphaghna (pacifies Kapha). Due to its Ushna Virya and Teekshna Guna, it is Pittavardhaka (can aggravate Pitta).
Srotas Karma (Actions by Body System):
External Application:
Mechanism: Germicidal, removes pus and foul smell by eliminating aggravated Kapha.
Clinical Use: Wound dressing, paste for headache, gargle for oral and throat diseases, ingredient in tooth powder.
Annavaha & Purishavaha Srotas (Digestive System):
Mechanism: Deepana (appetizer), Pachana (digestive), Yakritottejana (liver stimulant). Its Teekshna and Ushna properties expel accumulated doshas from the liver and spleen.
Clinical Use: Agnimandya (indigestion), Yakrit-Pleeha Vriddhi (hepatosplenomegaly), Gulma (abdominal lump), Shula (colic), Vibandha (constipation). Also used in Amatisara, Kaphatisara, Pravahika (types of diarrhea/dysentery), and Kaphaja Arsha (hemorrhoids).
Pranavaha Srotas (Respiratory System):
Mechanism: Kaphaghna and acts as a Chhedana (mucolytic) agent.
Clinical Use: Kasa (cough), Shvasa (asthma/dyspnea).
Rasa-Raktavaha Srotas (Circulatory System):
Mechanism: Ushna and Teekshna properties stimulate heart function and improve blood circulation.
Clinical Use: Hriddaurbalya (cardiac weakness), Jvara (fever) as an antipyretic (Jvaraghna). Also used in Kushtha (skin diseases) by promoting sweating (Svedajanana) to eliminate morbid Kapha and Kleda.
Mutravaha Srotas (Urinary System):
Mechanism: Increases blood circulation to the kidneys, promoting diuresis.
Clinical Use: Moortakrichchhra (dysuria).
Primary Actions: Deepana (appetizer), Pachana (digestive), Kaphaghna, Vataghna, Chhedana (mucolytic), Jvaraghna (antipyretic), Svedajanana (diaphoretic).
Dosage (Mātrā): Powder - 1 to 2 grams.
Anupāna (Vehicle): Warm water.
Important Formulations (Kalpa): Tumbarvadi Churna, Tejovatyadi Ghrita.
Contraindications (Nivārita): Should be used with caution in conditions of Pitta prakopa (Pitta aggravation) due to its Pitta-aggravating properties.
Symptoms of Toxicity (Aśuddha Viṣa Lakṣaṇa): Not explicitly mentioned in the source text.
Antidote & Treatment (Viṣa Chikitsā): Not explicitly mentioned in the source text.
Chemical Composition: Not explicitly mentioned in the source text.
Research Notes: Not explicitly mentioned in the source text.