Kalanusaryaka (Kalanusaryaka (Kalasara, Kalanusari))

Properties

Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Osteogenic

Dosage

Dosage depends on the form and desired effect: * Powder (Churna): 3–6 g twice daily with warm water. Ideal for digestive or joint support. * Decoction (Kwath): 20–30 ml, twice a day before meals, taken for inflammation and respiratory issues. Bark decoction prepared with 10–15 g bark in 250 ml water, simmered to 100 ml. Dose: 50 ml BID before meals for inflammation. Simmer 5–10 g of bark in 300 ml water for 15 minutes; strain and drink 20–30 ml, twice daily before meals. * Extract Capsules: Standardized to 10% dalbergin, 250–500 mg twice daily. Standardized to 20% sissooquinone; 300 mg BID shown effective in osteoarthritis trials. * Topical Paste: Mix 1 part sissoo heartwood powder with 2 parts aloe vera gel, apply to wounds or eczema patches once daily. * Tincture: 1:5 in ethanol; 1–2 ml diluted in water, up to TID for antimicrobial and wound-healing applications. * Children (5–12 years): Reduce dose by half of adult dosage for decoctions, avoid extracts.

Classical attributes

• Rasa: Kashaya (astringent), Tikta (bitter)
• Virya: ["Ushna (heating)"]
• Vipaka: ["Katu (pungent)"]

Benefits

• Kushtaghna (alleviates skin diseases)
• Vranaropana (wound healing)
• Krimighna (anti-helminthic)

Traditional uses

• Skin diseases
• Blood disorders
• Syphilis
• Stomach problems
• Dysentery
• Nausea
• Eye and nose disorders
• Obesity
• Vitiligo
• Fever
• Non-healing wounds
• Ulcers
• Intestinal parasites

Dosha effects

• vata: balancing
• kapha: balancing
• pitta: balancing

Preparation methods

• Powder (Churna): The heartwood and bark are used as powders.
• Decoction (Kwath): Bark decoction prepared with 10–15 g bark in 250 ml water, simmered to 100 ml. Simmer 5–10 g of bark in 300 ml water for 15 minutes; strain and drink 20–30 ml, twice daily before meals.
• Extract: The heartwood and bark are used as extracts.
• Topical Paste: Folk healers apply a powdered heartwood paste. Mix 1 part sissoo heartwood powder with 2 parts aloe vera gel, apply to wounds or eczema patches once daily.
• Herbal Gel: Herbal gel was prepared using Carbopol 934 as a gelling agent in 1% w/w concentration with deionized water using mechanical stirrer. 1% w/w bark extract of Dalbergia sissoo was added to the gel and stirred for sufficient time for homogenous mixing of extract in gel base.
• Ethanolic Extract: Freshly prepared powder (100 g) was immersed in 500 ml of 60% ethanol and kept in orbital shaker at 150 rpm for 48 hrs. The resultant solvent filtered through Whatman No. 1 filter paper. The filtrate obtained was concentrated to semisolid mass at 45˚C in hot air oven.

Contraindications

• Pregnancy
• Lactation
• Constipation
• Heavy periods
• Gallbladder obstruction or severe liver disease
• Blood Thinners
• Allergic Reactions
• Gastrointestinal Upset

Side effects

• Generally well-tolerated, but can cause gastrointestinal discomfort or mild nausea, especially on an empty stomach.
• Rare allergic dermatitis from topical use – always patch-test first.
• High tannin content may cause nausea or mild constipation in sensitive individuals.
• Very high doses (>10 g bark/day for months) could stress the liver—monitor LFTs if using long-term.
• Leaf juice extract is contraindicated during heavy periods.
• It is contraindicated during pregnancy.
• Root is best avoided during constipation.

Interactions

• Possible interaction with anticoagulants, due to β-sitosterol's mild blood-thinning tendency. Caution with warfarin or aspirin.
• If you're on warfarin or other blood thinners, consult a qualified practitioner—mixing sissoo and pharmaceuticals without oversight can increase bleeding risk.
• Patients on anticoagulants: monitor for potential interactions; consult a physician.

Clinical evidence

Clinical trials on Dalbergia sissoo extracts show potential benefits in osteoporosis and fracture healing. A study involving postmenopausal women indicated anti-osteoporotic and anti-inflammatory effects. A pilot study suggested accelerated healing of long bone fractures. However, more extensive research is needed to confirm these findings.

Ayurvedic karmas

• Kushtaghna (alleviates skin diseases)
• Vranaropana (wound healing)
• Krimighna (anti-helminthic)

Classical clinical indications

• Skin diseases
• Blood disorders
• Syphilis
• Stomach problems
• Dysentery
• Nausea
• Eye and nose disorders
• Obesity
• Vitiligo
• Fever
• Non-healing wounds
• Ulcers
• Intestinal parasites