Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Katu, Tikta
- Quality (Guna)
- Laghu, Ruksha, Tikshna
- Potency (Virya)
- Ushna
- Also Known As
- Sanskrit: तुम्बुरु, सूपक, वनज
Hindi: तुम्बरु, तेजबल
Overview
Prickly Ash (Xanthoxylum sp.), known in Sanskrit as Tumburu and in Chinese as Hua jiao, is a powerful toxin-destroying herb classified as Ama-pachana. Its rasa is pungent and bitter, with heating virya and pungent vipaka. It pacifies Vata and Kapha while increasing Pitta.
Prickly ash destroys toxins in the gastrointestinal tract, including worms, and is particularly effective for treating yeast infections and Candida—whether in the GI tract or blood. It is especially valuable for sama Vata (Vata with Ama) and arthritic conditions. It has a warming, stimulating, and purifying influence on the blood, making it useful for chronic conditions where cold and toxins have accumulated.
The herb acts on plasma, blood, and muscle tissues through the digestive and circulatory systems. Its key actions include stimulant, carminative, alterative, antiseptic, anthelmintic, and analgesic. It is indicated for weak digestion, cold abdominal pain, chronic chill, lumbago, chronic arthritis and rheumatism, skin diseases, worms, and yeast infections. Precautions include high Pitta, acute inflammatory conditions of the GI tract, and pregnancy (may promote miscarriage). Dosage is 250–500 mg as powder, or as infusion, decoction, medicated oil, or capsules.
Source: The Yoga of Herbs, Section A: Commonly Available Herbs
Therapeutic Actions (Karma)
- Deepana
- Pachana
- Krimighna
- Dantya (good for teeth)
- Hridya
- Mukha Shodhaka
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 1
Ayurvedic Properties (Energetics)
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | sweet, bitter |
| Virya (Energy) | cold |
| Vipaka (Post-digestive) | sweet |
| Dosha Effect | P- VK+ |
| Tissues (Dhatu) | Plasma, blood, bone |
| Body Systems | Excretory, circulatory, digestive, respi-ratory |
Source: The Ayurveda Encyclopedia, Chapter 4: Herbology
Preparation & Usage
Forms: Bark infusion, decoction
Source: The Ayurveda Encyclopedia, Chapter 4: Herbology
How to Use Tumburu by Condition
Explore how Tumburu is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.
▶ Classical Text References (1 sources)
References in Charaka Samhita
), shringvera (Zingiber officinale), ajqji (Cuminum Cyminum), karavi (Foeniculum vulgare), dhanyak (Coriandrum sativum), tumburu (Coriandrum sativum), bilva (Aegle marmelos), karkataka and patha (Cissampelos parrira).
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)
[221] Hingvadi taila: Mustard oil, hingu, tumburu, sunthi cooked all together is useful for ear ache.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)
Vatska, surasa, kushtha, aromatic drugs like aguru, tumburu, shigru, himstra, root of arka , Mud of ant-hill and kudheraka should be made to a paste by adding yogurt and rock salt.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 27: Thigh Stiffness Treatment (Urustambha Chikitsa / ऊरुस्तम्भचिकित्सा)
Paste with dhanyaka and tumburu soup alleviates all poisons.
— Charaka Samhita, Kalpa Sthana — Pharmaceutical Preparations, Chapter 4: Pharmaceutical Preparations of Dhamargava (Dhamargava Kalpa Adhyaya / धामार्गवकल्प अध्याय)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 27: Thigh Stiffness Treatment (Urustambha Chikitsa / ऊरुस्तम्भचिकित्सा); Kalpa Sthana — Pharmaceutical Preparations, Chapter 4: Pharmaceutical Preparations of Dhamargava (Dhamargava Kalpa Adhyaya / धामार्गवकल्प अध्याय)
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.