Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Sweet (Madhura), Astringent (Kashaya)
- Quality (Guna)
- Laghu, Ruksha, Sheeta
- Potency (Virya)
- Cold (Sheeta)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Madhura
- Key Constituents
- Silica (70%), Peroxide of iron, Potash, Aluminia, Colin (Betain), enzymes, Cyanogenetic glucoside
- Also Known As
- Sanskrit: वंशलोचन, वंशरोचना, तवक्षीरी, शुभ्रा
Hindi: वंशलोचन, बांसकपूर
Overview
Bamboo Manna, known in Sanskrit as Vamsha Rochana, is derived from the siliceous deposits or milky bark of the bamboo plant (Bambusa arundinacea). Its rasa is sweet and astringent, virya is cooling, and vipaka is sweet. It pacifies Pitta and Vata but may aggravate Kapha, particularly if not balanced with pungent herbs like ginger and pippali. It acts on plasma, blood, and marrow and nerve tissues, influencing the respiratory, circulatory, and nervous systems.
Vamsha Rochana has strong anti-Pitta properties that are especially beneficial for conditions of lung weakness. Its actions include demulcent, expectorant, tonic, rejuvenative, antispasmodic, and hemostatic. It effectively stops bleeding, clears fever and cough, and serves as a rejuvenative tonic for debility and emaciation.
It is indicated for colds, cough, fever, asthma, bleeding disorders, emaciation, debility, dehydration, palpitation, vomiting, and consumption. The siliceous deposits or milky bark are the parts used, with the sap as a substitute. It is prepared as a decoction, milk decoction, or powder (250 mg to 1 g). Care should be taken that it is balanced with pungent herbs to prevent increasing congestion.
Source: The Yoga of Herbs, Section B: Special Oriental/Ayurvedic Herbs
Ayurvedic Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Rasa (taste) | Sweet, astringent |
| Vīrya (energy) | Cooling |
| Vipāka (post-digestive) | Sweet |
| Guṇa (quality) | Dry, light |
| Doṣa effect | VPK<, K in excess |
| Dhātu (tissue) | Plasma, blood, nerve |
| Srotas (channel) | Respiratory, nervous |
Therapeutic Actions
- Demulcent
- expectorant
- tonic
- rejuvenative
- antispasmodic
- hemostatic
- leaves emmenagogue
- anthelmintic
- stimulant
- febrifuge
- tonic
- aphrodisiac
Source: The Ayurveda Encyclopedia, Chapter 4: Herbology
Preparation & Usage
Forms: Decoction, milk decoction, powder
Source: The Ayurveda Encyclopedia, Chapter 4: Herbology
Precautions & Contraindications
- Increases congestion if not balanced with pungent herbs like ginger
Source: The Ayurveda Encyclopedia, Chapter 4: Herbology
How to Use Bamboo Manna by Condition
Explore how Bamboo Manna is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.
▶ Classical Text References (2 sources)
References in Charaka Samhita
Sugar candy, bamboo manna, long pepper, cardamom, cinnamon — each doubled in ratio (4:2:1:0.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 8: Consumption and Wasting Disease Treatment (Rajayakshma Chikitsa / राजयक्ष्मचिकित्सितं)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 8: Consumption and Wasting Disease Treatment (Rajayakshma Chikitsa / राजयक्ष्मचिकित्सितं)
References in Sharangadhara Samhita
— Tvak (cinnamon — Cinnamomum zeylanicum), Patra (cinnamon leaf — Cinnamomum tamala), Maricha (black pepper), Ela (cardamom — Elettaria cardamomum) seeds, Ajaji (cumin — Cuminum cyminum), and Vamshalochana (bamboo manna — Bambusa arundinacea) should also be included.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 3: Churnakalpana (Powder Preparations)
Sitopaladi Churna: Sitopala (rock candy) should be sixteen parts, Vamshalochana (bamboo manna — Bambusa arundinacea) eight parts, Pippali (long pepper — Piper longum) four Karsha, and Ela (cardamom — Elettaria cardamomum) two Karsha.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 3: Churnakalpana (Powder Preparations)
Sitopaladi Churna [for the three types of Kasa, Pitta, and Daha]: Sitopala (rock candy) sixteen parts, Vamshalochana (bamboo manna — Bambusa arundinacea) eight parts, Pippali (long pepper — Piper longum) four Karsha, and Ela (cardamom — Elettaria cardamomum) two Karsha.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 6: Churnakalpana (Powder Preparations - Extended)
192 g) of Tugakshiri (Bambusa arundinacea — bamboo manna), and four Palas (approx.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 8: Avalehakalpana (Confection/Electuary Preparations)
96 g), Tugakshiri (Bambusa arundinacea — bamboo manna) — four Palas (approx.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 8: Avalehakalpana (Confection/Electuary Preparations)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 3: Churnakalpana (Powder Preparations); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 6: Churnakalpana (Powder Preparations - Extended); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 8: Avalehakalpana (Confection/Electuary Preparations)
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.