Prosopis

(Prosopis)
Sanskrit: शमी • Botanical: Prosopis cineraria (Linn.) Druce

Shami (Prosopis) is a medium-sized thorny tree found in arid and semi-arid regions of India, particularly Rajasthan. The tree is sacred in Hindu tradition - Shami puja is an important ritual. The bark, leaves and pods are used medicinally. The pods are eaten as a vegetable and cattle fodder. The bark is astringent and used in skin diseases and piles. The leaves are used in eye diseases. The tree produces a gum similar to Gum Arabic. It is drought-resistant and important in desert ecology. Dose: Bark decoction 1-2 tola; leaf juice 1-2 tola. Verse: 39.

Ayurvedic Properties

Taste (Rasa)
Astringent (Kashaya), Sweet (Madhura)
Quality (Guna)
Light (Laghu), Dry (Ruksha)
Potency (Virya)
Cold (Sheeta)
Post-digestive (Vipaka)
Pungent (Katu)
Key Constituents
Tannins, Flavonoids, Alkaloids
Also Known As
English: Prosopis, Khejri
Sanskrit: शमी, सुमरी, शम्बर, दृढ़ा
Hindi: खेजड़ा, शमी, जण्ड

What is Prosopis (Jhonkar / झोंकर)?

Shami (Prosopis) is a medium-sized thorny tree found in arid and semi-arid regions of India, particularly Rajasthan. The tree is sacred in Hindu tradition - Shami puja is an important ritual. The bark, leaves and pods are used medicinally. The pods are eaten as a vegetable and cattle fodder. The bark is astringent and used in skin diseases and piles. The leaves are used in eye diseases. The tree produces a gum similar to Gum Arabic. It is drought-resistant and important in desert ecology. Dose: Bark decoction 1-2 tola; leaf juice 1-2 tola. Verse: 39.

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 5

Therapeutic Actions (Karma)

  • Keshya (promotes hair growth)
  • Shothahara (anti-inflammatory)
  • Raktapittahara (alleviates bleeding)

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 3

Prosopis by Condition

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

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Prosopis for Inflammation

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.