Overview
Bamboo Manna is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for cough. Siliceous deposit inside bamboo internodes. White, crystalline, highly valued. Key ingredient in Sitopaladi Churna.
How Bamboo Manna Helps with Cough
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Bamboo Manna has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing cough:
- Potency (Virya): Sheeta (cold)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Madhura
- Taste (Rasa): Madhura (sweet), Kashaya (astringent)
- Qualities (Guna): Laghu, Ruksha, Sheeta
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
▶ Classical Text References (2 sources)
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)
— 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)
Safety & Precautions
Contraindications: High levels of dryness and vata; aggravation need to be balanced; by using with demulcent ghee; and aromatic pungent herbs
Safety: No drug–herb interactions are known.
Other Herbs for Cough
See all herbs for cough on the Cough page.
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.