Overview
Shirisha is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for conjunctivitis. Shirisha (Siris) is a large deciduous tree found throughout India. It is considered the best Vishaghna (anti-toxic) drug in Ayurveda. The bark, seeds, leaves and flowers are used medicinally. The bark is used in poisoning, allergic conditions, snakebite and insect stings. It is a potent anti-allergic drug, used in bronchial asthma, urticaria and other allergic conditions. The flowers are fragrant and used in nasal polyps. The seeds are used in eye diseases. Modern research has confirmed its anti-allergic, anti-histaminic and mast cell stabilizing properties. The bark contains saponins and tannins. Dose: Bark decoction 1-2 tola; seed powder 1-2 masha. Verses mentioned.
How Shirisha Helps with Conjunctivitis
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Shirisha has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing conjunctivitis:
- Potency (Virya): Sheeta (cold)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Katu (pungent)
- Taste (Rasa): Tikta (bitter), Kashaya (astringent)
- Qualities (Guna): Laghu (light), Ruksha (dry)
Other Herbs for Conjunctivitis
See all herbs for conjunctivitis on the Conjunctivitis page.
▶ Classical Text References (4 sources)
Usheera, Shirisha, Mishi and Tandula (rice grains) 4.
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Gandushadi Vidhi Gargles
Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Gandushadi Vidhi Gargles
Alternatively, this pill should be prepared of surasa (Ocimum sanctum), granthi (pippalimula), haridra (Curcuma longa), daruharidra (Berberis aristata), madhuka (Glycerrhiza glabra) and kushta (Saussurea lappa) by triturating with the juice of the flower of shirisha (Albizzia lebbeck) and the juice of kakandaka (Canavalia ensiformis).
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
If the patient appears to be dead because of udbandhana (hanging), poisoning or drowning in water (jalamrita), then the potion comprising kakanda (Canavalia ensiformis), surasa (Ocimum sanctum), gavakshi (Citrullus colocynthis), punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), vayasi (Solanum nigrum) and fruits of shirisha (Albizzia lebbeck) should be administered in the form of lepa (ointment) along with aupadhi (application of the paste over the head after making incisions in the form of kaakapaada or the paw o
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
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)
, patra (Cinnamomum tamala) aguru (Aquilaria agallocha), musta (Cyperus rotundus) ela (Elettaria cardamomum) Five types of exudates chandana (Santalam album), sprikka (Delphinium zalil) tvak (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) nalada (Vetiveria zinzanioides) utpala (Nymphaea stellata) balaka (Valeriana wallichii ) harenuka (Vitex negundo), usheera (Vetiveria zizanoides) vanya (Cyperus rotundus) nakha (Nails of tiger) devadaru (Cedrus deodara) kanaka (Mesua ferrea) kunkuma (Crocus sativus) dhyamaka (Cymbopog
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
Fumigation with nata (Valeriana wallichii), kushta (Saussurea lappa), head of bhujagapati (snake having two heads or fangs) and flower of shirisha (Albizzia labbec) by adding ghee is called dhumagada, and it cures all types of poison and edema.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
The famous Dashanga Lepa (ten-ingredient paste) is made from: Shirisha (Albizia lebbeck), Madhuyashti (Glycyrrhiza glabra, licorice), Tagara (Valeriana wallichii), Rakta Chandana (red sandalwood, Pterocarpus santalinus), Ela (Elettaria cardamomum, cardamom), Mansi (Nardostachys jatamansi, spikenard), Nisha Yugma (Curcuma longa and Berberis aristata), Kushtha (Saussurea lappa), and Balaka (Pavonia odorata).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
A paste of Mansi (Nardostachys jatamansi, spikenard), Sarja Rasa (Vateria indica resin), Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa), Madhuka (licorice), Renuka (Vitex agnus-castus), Murva (Marsdenia tenacissima), Nilotpala (blue lotus), Padma (lotus), and Shirisha flowers (Albizia lebbeck), mixed with Shata Dhauta Ghrita (ghee washed one hundred times) -- this paste is for Pitta-Vata-Rakta (gouty/inflammatory conditions with blood vitiation).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
Another paste: Rasanjana (Berberis extract) with Shirisha (Albizia lebbeck) and Pathya (Haritaki, Terminalia chebula), mixed with honey -- this paste is used for destroying Upadamsha (venereal diseases).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
Shirisha is a classical anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory, while Haritaki promotes wound healing.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
Juice of shirisha (Albizia) flowers with sura (fermented liquor), maricha (pepper), and earths — combined with honey, gairika (red ochre) is beneficial as collyrium.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 12: Raktabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Blood-type Conjunctivitis)
With shirisha (Albizia) seeds, maricha (pepper), pippali (long pepper), and saindhava (rock salt), anjana should be prepared for shukra (corneal opacity).
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 12: Raktabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Blood-type Conjunctivitis)
Gairika (red ochre), saindhava (rock salt), black pepper, godanta (an animal tooth) ink, beef, pepper seeds, shirisha (Albizia) seeds, and manashila (realgar/arsenic disulfide).
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga)
With honey, elephant tusk ash, sea-sediment, and shirisha flowers as well — this anjana with ghee and honey is the medicine for sirotpata (vascular rupture of the eye).
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga)
For restoring clarity of vision, hear from me the ingredients for anjana (collyrium): flowers of meshashringya, shirisha, and dhava.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga)
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 12: Raktabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Blood-type Conjunctivitis); Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga)
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.