Overview
Gambhari is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for digestive health. Gambhari (Gmelina arborea) is one of the Dashamula (Brihat Panchamula) group of drugs. It is a large deciduous tree found throughout India. The fruit is sweet and sour, described as Vrishya (aphrodisiac) and Rasayana (rejuvenative). The root is the main medicinal part used in Dashamula combinations. The tree bark, root, flowers, and fruits all have therapeutic applications. Gambhari fruit is specifically noted for its cooling effect despite Ushna Virya, and it alleviates burning sensation (Daha) and excessive thirst (Trishna). It is among the key ingredients of Dashamularishta and Chyawanprash.
How Gambhari Helps with Digestive Health
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Gambhari has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing digestive health:
- Potency (Virya): Ushna (hot)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Katu (pungent)
- Taste (Rasa): Tikta (bitter), Madhura (sweet), Kashaya (astringent)
- Qualities (Guna): Guru (heavy)
Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Bitter (Tikta), Sweet (Madhura), Astringent (Kashaya)
- Quality (Guna)
- Heavy (Guru)
- Potency (Virya)
- Hot (Ushna)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Pungent (Katu)
- Key Constituents
- Butyric acid, Tartaric acid. Fruit contains sugars and organic acids.
- Also Known As
- English: Gambhari, White Teak, Coomb Teak
Sanskrit: गम्भारी, काश्मरी, श्रीपर्णी, भद्रपर्णी, हिरा, मधुरसा, कृष्णवृन्ता
Hindi: गम्भारी, गमहार
What the Classical Texts Say
- Daha (burning sensation)
- Trishna (excessive thirst)
- Jwara (fever)
- Prameha (diabetes/urinary disorders)
- Visha (poisoning)
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 3
Other Herbs for Digestive Health
See all herbs for digestive health on the Digestive Health page.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.