Vamshalochana

Vamshalochana (Bamboo manna or Tabasheer) is a siliceous deposit found inside bamboo internodes. Though not directly a sugarcane product, it is discussed in this varga due to its association with grass family products. It is sweet and astringent in taste, light, dry, and cold in potency. It pacifies Pitta, Kapha, and blood disorders. It relieves burning sensation, thirst, cough, asthma, and is strengthening and aphrodisiac. It is a key ingredient in the famous formulation Sitopaladi Churna. Verse 9.

• Pittahara (alleviates Pitta)
• Kaphahara (alleviates Kapha)
• Raktapitta-hara (alleviates bleeding disorders)
• Daha-shamana (relieves burning)
• Trishna-hara (relieves thirst)
• Kasa-hara (alleviates cough)
• Shwasa-hara (alleviates asthma)
• Balya (strengthening)
• Vrushya (aphrodisiac)

Shveta (Katabhi -Albizzia procera), vacha (Acorus calamus), ashvagandha (Withania somnifera), hingu (Ferula foetida), amrita (Tinospora cordifolia), kushtha (Saussurea lappa), saindhava (rock salt), lashuna (Allium sativum), sarshapa (Brassica campestris), pulp of kapittha (Feronia limonia), tuntuka (Oroxylum indicum), seeds of karanja (Pongamia pinnata), shunti (Zingiber officinale), pippali (Piper longum), maricha (Piper nigrum), flower of shirisha (Albizzia labbec), haridra (Curcuma longa), d

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)

— Tvak (cinnamon — Cinnamomum zeylanicum), Patra (cinnamon leaf — Cinnamomum tamala), Maricha (black pepper), Ela (cardamom — Elettaria cardamomum) seeds, Ajaji (cumin — Cuminum cyminum), and Vamshalochana (bamboo manna — Bambusa arundinacea) should also be included.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 3: Churnakalpana (Powder Preparations)

Sitopaladi Churna: Sitopala (rock candy) should be sixteen parts, Vamshalochana (bamboo manna — Bambusa arundinacea) eight parts, Pippali (long pepper — Piper longum) four Karsha, and Ela (cardamom — Elettaria cardamomum) two Karsha.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 3: Churnakalpana (Powder Preparations)

Sitopaladi Churna [for the three types of Kasa, Pitta, and Daha]: Sitopala (rock candy) sixteen parts, Vamshalochana (bamboo manna — Bambusa arundinacea) eight parts, Pippali (long pepper — Piper longum) four Karsha, and Ela (cardamom — Elettaria cardamomum) two Karsha.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 6: Churnakalpana (Powder Preparations - Extended)

For burns (Agni Dagdha): the physician should apply a paste of Tuga (bamboo manna/Vamshalochana), Chiri (Plaksha/Ficus lacor), Chandana (sandalwood), and Gairika (red ochre), mixed with Amrita (Guduchi/Tinospora cordifolia) and ghee (Sarpis).

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)

This cooling, soothing burn paste uses Vamshalochana (silica-rich bamboo manna) for tissue protection, sandalwood for cooling, Gairika for mineral healing, and ghee as a lipid barrier.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)