Ayurvedic Properties

Taste (Rasa): Astringent (Kashaya), Sweet (Madhura)
Quality (Guna): Heavy (Guru), Unctuous (Snigdha)
Potency (Virya): Cold (Sheeta)
Post-digestive (Vipaka): Sweet (Madhura)
Key Constituents: Catechutannic acid, Tannins, Mucilage
Also Known As: English: Silk Cotton Gum, Mochras
Sanskrit: मोचरस, शाल्मलीनिर्यास, पिच्छा
Hindi: मोचरस

What is Mocharasa (Gum of Silk Cotton) (मोचरस)?

Mocharasa is the gum exudate of the Silk Cotton tree (Shalmali). It is described separately due to its specific therapeutic importance. The gum is obtained by making incisions in the bark. It is yellowish-brown, astringent and demulcent. It is one of the best drugs for Atisara (diarrhea), Pravahika (dysentery), and Raktapitta (bleeding disorders). It is also Vrishya and used in seminal debility. The gum dissolves in water and forms a mucilaginous solution. Dose: 1-2 masha. Verses: 29.

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 5

Therapeutic Actions (Karma)

Grahi (absorbent)
Stambhana (binding)
Raktapittahara (alleviates bleeding)
Vrishya (aphrodisiac)

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 5

How to Use Mocharas by Condition

Explore how Mocharas is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.

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Mocharas for Bleeding Disorders

▶ Classical Text References (3 sources)

References in Charaka Samhita

To this, the powders of mocharasa, (one pala), samanga (one pala) Phalini (one pala) and seeds of kutaja (Holarrhina antidysenterica) (three palas) should be added and boiled again till it becomes semi-solid and till it sticks to the stirring spoon.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)

Powder of nilotpala (Nelumbo nucifera), samanga, mocharasa, chandan (Santalum album),, tila (Sesamum indicum) and lodhra (Symplocus racemosa) should be taken along with goat-milk.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)

In this decoction jivanti, kutaki, pippali, pippalimoola, nagara, devadaru, indrajava, Flower of shalmali, shatavari, rakta chandana, utpala, katphala, chitraka, musta, priyangu, ativisha, sarivan, pollens of padma, utpala, majitha bhatakataiya, bilva, mocharasa and patha.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)

Patha, kernel of jamun, kernel of mango, shilabheda, rasanjana, ambashtha, mocharasa, lajjalu, bark of kutaja, kesara, ativisha, bilva, musta, lodhra, gairika, aralu, maricha, shunthi, mridvika, red sandal, katphala, indrayava, ananta, dhataki, madhuka and arjuna all these drugs should be collected in pushya constellation in equal quantity.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 30: Gynecological Disorders Treatment (Yonivyapat Chikitsa / योनिव्यापत्चिकित्सा)

A paste of bark of palasha, sarja, bark of jambu, lajjalu, mocharasa, flower of dhataki should be applied locally.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 30: Gynecological Disorders Treatment (Yonivyapat Chikitsa / योनिव्यापत्चिकित्सा)

Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 30: Gynecological Disorders Treatment (Yonivyapat Chikitsa / योनिव्यापत्चिकित्सा)

References in Sharangadhara Samhita

Combined with honey and the juice of Mocharasa (Bombax ceiba gum), it removes all types of Atisara (diarrhea).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 1: Svarasadikalpana (Svarasa, Kalka, Kvatha, etc.)

The powders to add are: Rasanjana (extract of Berberis aristata), Mocharasa (Bombax ceiba gum resin), Trikatu — Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), Maricha (Piper nigrum), Pippali (Piper longum) — Triphala — Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Bibhitaka (Terminalia bellirica), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) — Lajjalu (Mimosa pudica), Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica), Patha (Cissampelos pareira), Bilva (Aegle marmelos), Indrayava (Holarrhena antidysenterica seeds), and Tvak (Cinnamomum zeylanicum).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 8: Avalehakalpana (Confection/Electuary Preparations)

Also: Lajjalu (Mimosa pudica), Dhataki (Woodfordia fruticosa), Bilva (Aegle marmelos), Patha (Cissampelos pareira), Mocharasa (Bombax ceiba resin), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), and Ativisha (Aconitum heterophyllum) — each one Pala (approx.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 8: Avalehakalpana (Confection/Electuary Preparations)

Lajjalu (Mimosa pudica), Dhataki (Woodfordia fruticosa), Bilva (Aegle marmelos), Patha (Cissampelos pareira), Mocharasa (Bombax ceiba resin), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), and Ativisha (Aconitum heterophyllum) — each one Pala (approx.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 8: Avalehakalpana (Confection/Electuary Preparations)

Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 1: Svarasadikalpana (Svarasa, Kalka, Kvatha, etc.); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 8: Avalehakalpana (Confection/Electuary Preparations)

References in Sushruta Samhita

The Priyangvadi Gana consists of: priyangu, samajña, dhataki, punnaga, nagapushpa, chandana, kuchandan, mocharasa, sanjana, kumbhi, kastotoja, padmakesara, yojanavalli, and dirghamula (verse 45).
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 38: Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs

The Priyangvadi Gana consists of: priyangu, samajña, dhataki, punnaga, nagapushpa, chandana, kuchandan, mocharasa, sanjana, kumbhi, kastotoja, padmakesara, yojanavalli, and dirghamula (verse 45).
— Sushruta Samhita, Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs

Source: Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 38: Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs; Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs

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.