Rasa (Taste)
Kashaya, Madhura
The primary taste perceived on the tongue.
Shami (Indian Mesoquite, shamee, sponge tree.)
The tree is of medium height and bears spikes.
Medicinal Plant
Shami (Indian Mesoquite, shamee, sponge tree.)
Prosopis cineraria · Fabaceae
The tree is of medium height and bears spikes.
Scientific Name
Prosopis cineraria
Family
Fabaceae
Hindi Name
Chikur, Rhejri, Chonkar, Sami, Shami
Used Part
Bark, Fruit
Botanical Description
About the Shami Plant
Morphology and field-identification notes as documented in our Dravyaguna library.
The tree is of medium height and bears spikes. Bark is white externally but yellow inside. Branches slanting downwards.Leaves – bearing 8-10 leaflets.
Flowers – yellow. Legume 10-15 cm. long bearing seeds. Raw legume is used as vegetable in Punjab and Rajasthan
Ayurvedic Properties
Rasa Panchaka — Classical Properties
The five-fold framework Ayurveda uses to describe a drug — Rasa, Guna, Vipaka, Veerya and its effect on the doshas.
Guna (Qualities)
Laghu , Rooksha
Physical and energetic attributes of the dravya.
Vipaka (Post-digestive Effect)
Katu
Taste that emerges after complete digestion.
Dosha Karma (Action on Doshas)
Kaphapittahara
Effect on Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas.
Veerya (Potency)
Coolant
Heating (ushna) or cooling (sheeta) energy.
Ayurvedic Actions (Karma)
Grahi, Kaphahara , Kasahara, Krimighna, Keshahara
Modern Phytochemistry
Chemistry & Pharmacology
How modern science maps onto the classical understanding of this dravya.
Pharmacological Action
What the Science Says
Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial & Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic (Pain Relief) .
Phytoconstituents
Active Compounds
Spicigerin, Fix oil, Prosogerin, Patulin, Prosogerins A and B, Patuletin
Therapeutic Usage
Clinical Applications of Shami
Classical Ayurvedic indications drawn directly from the Dravyaguna tradition — paired with the preparations recommended in shastra.
01
Garbhapata - flowers paste with rock sugar is given in pregnancy for prevention of abortion.
02
Atisara - bark decoction is useful to treat diarrhea.
03
Raktapitta - in epistaxis, juice of shami leaves is given as nasya (juice in both nostrils) for hemostasis.
Always consult a qualified Ayurvedic physician before using any herb therapeutically. Dose, anupana and Prakriti-specific suitability matter.
Yoga / Kalpana
Classical Formulations
Common Ayurvedic preparations where Shami is a key ingredient.
- Ksharagada
Shastra Pramana
Classical Reference
शमी तिक्ता कटुः शीता कषाया रोचनी लघुः । कफकासक्षयश्वासकुष्ठकृमिजित् स्मृता ॥४०॥ — भावप्रकाश