Gambhari: The golden healer of Ayurveda
In the vast treasury of Ayurvedic wisdom, there are a few herbs that shine like gold — not because they’re famous, but because their value runs deep for those who know them. Gambhari (Gmelina arborea), with its honey-hued wood and powerful medicinal virtues, is one such treasure. Revered by ancient vaidyas (Ayurvedic physicians) and quietly thriving in the forests of India, this versatile plant has been healing minds and bodies for centuries. Yet, beyond the herbalist’s circle, Gambhari remains one of nature’s best-kept secrets — until now.
Latin Name: Gmelina Arborea
Vernacular Names:
- Hindi: Gambhar
- Bengali: Gamari
- Tamil: Gumadi/ Kattanam
- Telugu: Peddagumudu
- Kannada: Shivani
- Malayalam: Kumil/Kumbil
- Marathi: Shivana
- Gujarati: Savan
- Punjabi: Gumhar/ Kumhar
- English : Himalayan Cedar
Sanskrit Names:
Kashmari : A very beautiful tree
Kashmiri : Grows in kashmir region
Suphala : Fruits is beautiful & wholesome
Krushnavrinda: Leaf has blackish petiole
Katphala : Fruits resmbles fruits of katphala
Peetarohini : Yellow flowers
Madhuparnika : leaves yield a swwet gel
Sriparni: leaves are very beautiful
Vatarut: It alleviates vata dosha
Hira: It has rejuvenating qualities
Benefits & Ayurvedic Properties of Gambhari
Gambhari thrives across tropical and subtropical climates. In India, it is widely found in deciduous forests from the Himalayan foothills to the southern states. The tree prefers warm, humid to semi-arid conditions. It grows upto 1500 meters above sea level.
It is also cultivated in Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and parts of Southeast Asia.
Ras
- Tikta (Bitter)
- Kashay ( Astringent)
- Madhur ( Sweet)
Veerya ( Potency)
- Ushna (Hot)
Vipaak ( Post-digestive effect)
- Katu (Pungent)
Guna ( Qualities)
- Heavy
Dosha Effect
Balances: Vata and Pitta dosha
Classical Categorization
In Charak Samhita – It is categorized as
- Shothhara : Group of herb that helps in relieve inflammation.
- Dahaprashmana: Group of herb useful in relieving burning sensation.
- Virechanopaga: herbs that are useful in virechana
In sushrut samhita – It is categorized as
- Sarivadi gana and brihatpanchmula :
Health Benefits of Gambhari powder
Joint pain and Arthritis
The Vata balancing nature of Gambhari helps reduce swelling and pain in conditions such as
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Sciatica
- Back and neck pain
Respiratory support
In Ayurveda, Gambhari is one of the key herbs in the famous formulation Dashamoola (“the ten roots”), which is highly valued for balancing Vata and Kapha doshas. These doshas are deeply linked with the respiratory system:
Kapha imbalance → leads to congestion, excess mucus, heaviness in the chest, and difficulty breathing.
Vata imbalance → causes dryness, cough, breathlessness, and spasms in the airways.
Ayurveda describes Gambhari as a balancing and strengthening herb for the lungs and airways, targeting the root imbalances in Vata and Kapha.
Modern medicine sees it as a herb with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, expectorant, and bronchodilatory properties that directly support lung function and reduce symptoms of respiratory distress.
Together, these perspectives suggest Gambhari can be especially valuable for:
Chronic coughs
Asthma and wheezing
Bronchitis
Post-fever respiratory weakness
Recurrent infections in children or the old age people
Indigestion
Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia and stomach upset, is a state of an incomplete process of digestion. It can be characterized by a sensation of pain or discomfort in the upper abdominal region accompanied by a feeling of fullness, bloating, and flatulence. According to Ayurveda, indigestion is termed as Agnimandya. This occurs due to an imbalance of Pitta dosha. Whenever the consumed food is left undigested due to Mand Agni (low digestive fire), it results in the formation of Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion). Gambari roots help to improve digestive fire and reduce the formation of Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion) due to its Ushna (hot) nature.
Protect liver and improves it function
In Ayurveda, the liver is linked with Pitta dosha, which governs metabolism, digestion, and transformation of nutrients. When Pitta becomes aggravated — due to poor diet, alcohol, stress, or toxins — it leads to conditions like, hepatitis, fatty liver and others. Gambhari is having sheeta virya and calms aggravated pitta protecting liver from overheating and inflammation. Moreover the madhur ras and vipaka nourishes and restores liver cells preventing depletion from chronic conditions.
Actions (Karma) of gambhari in Ayurveda
Rakthpittajit – useful in bleeding disorder like heavy menstrual disorder and nasal bleeding
Tridoshhara – Balances all the three dosha
Shramhara – Relieves fatigue and tiredness
Dahahar– helps in relieving burning sensation.
Artijit – relieves in pain
Jvarahar – Useful in fever
Trushnahara : Relieves thirst
Vishahara : Anti toxic
Deepani pachani: Digestive and carminative
Medhya: Improves memory and intelligence
Bhedani : helps to ease constipation problem
Bhramjit : relieves delusion and dizziness
Benefits of Gambhari fruits & flowers
Gambhari fruits are acrid, sour, bitter, sweet, cooling, diuretic tonic, aphrodisiac, alternative astringent to the bowels. The fruits promote growth of hairs and quench excessive thirst. They are given as cooling decoctions in the fever. These fruits show beneficial effects in anemia, leprosy, ulcers and vaginal discharge.
Flowers are sweet, cooling, bitter, acrid, and astringent and recommended for leprosy, skin and blood diseases. They are useful in leprosy and blood diseases. Leaf paste is applied to relieve headache and juice is used as wash for ulcers.
How to use Gambhari
Gambhari can be consumed in various forms, including:
- Decoction: To make the decoction you need 2 cup water and 1 teaspoon of powder of gambhari root or leaves. Now add this powder in 2 cup of water and boil till one glass is left. Then filter it, your decoction is ready.
- Dosage : 20 to 30 ml two times a day.
- Gambhari powder: 1 to 3 gram powder two times a day.
- Part Used : Fruits, Roots, Leaves and flowers
What are the side effects of Gambhari
Like any other Ayurvedic herb Gambhari is having many health benefits . However , it may have some side effects as well They include
Allergic Rashes
If someone is sensitive to Gmabhari they may see skin rashes or redness and itching. In this condition it is advisable to discontinue the use .
Precautions
Avoid consuming Gambhari during pregnancy due to lack of research on safety during pregnancy.
Always use Gambhari in recommended dosage to avoid potential side effects such as nausea and bloating. It is better to ask Ayurveda doctor about dose and suitability for your body type.
If you have pre existing medical conditions or taking any medications, consult a doctor before using gambhari. This ensures that there are no harmful interactions or contraindications.
Don’t use gambhari continuosly for long period of time . Take break to allow your body to respond appropriately. Also when we use any herb continuosly ,then the body becomes use to it and it don’t respond to it.
Store gambhari in cool and dark place to maintain its potency and prevent it from contamination. Proper storage helps in retaining its therapeutic value.
Home Remedies of Gambhari
Gambhari Decoction for Cough & Cold
To make decoction you will following ingredients:
Gambhari bark or powder – 1 tsp
Water – 2 cups
Tulsi leaves – 4
How to make the decoction:
Boil all ingredients together in 2 cups of water until reduced to 1 cup. Strain and drink warm.
It helps to clear the mucus there by relieving chest congestion and strengthening immune system
Paste for bone healing
To make this paste you need following ingredients:
Gambhari powder – 1 tsp
Asthishriklna powder – 1 tsp
Plain water – to mix
How to make the paste:
Make a smooth paste by mixing gambhari powder and asthishrankhala powder in plain water. Apply on affected part . Leave for 1 to 2 hrs mins, then rinse.
This paste is helps in faster healing of bones .
In Eczema and skin rashes
To make the you need following ingredients:
Gambhari leaves – 10 to 12
Water– 4 cups
How to Use:
Boil gambhari leaves in 4 cups of water untill 1 cup is left. Now wash the eczema patch with this decoction.
This decoction helps to relieve itching and discoloration and provides relief in eczema.
Frequently asked question
1.Can this herb be used while taking homeopathic medicine ?
Yes. This herb does not react with homeopathic medicine.
2.Can this herb/medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin, omega 3, spirulina ?
Yes .Generally this herb goes well with most dietary supplement. However if you are taking more than one product per day please consult your doctor for opinion.
3. With western/modern medicine
Seek your doctors advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic/modern) medicine. Some ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
When taking ayurvedic medicine or herb with modern medicine it is best to keep one hour gap in between both the medicine.
4. How long does gambhari take to start showing benefits ?
It depend on any existing disease, overall health, your prakriti ( genetic make up) all these factors plays a role in how quickly gambhari powder benefits are seen.
5.Can it be used in people with diabetes?
Yes. But always keep watch on your sugar levels. This herb can lower your blood sugar levels. Do not stop your diabetes medicine once you start taking this herb/medicine. Keep in touch with your ayurvedic doctor. They will guide you in this respect.
6.Are there any diet restriction( Pathya) while taking this seeds ?
No .There are no such restriction while taking this product. However if you have been advised with any specific diet based on disease, you should continue to follow it.
Ayurvedic medicine that contains gambhari
Gambhari is the main ingredients in following medicines
Dashmoolaristh : It is one of the ayurvedic medicine which is used to treat osteo arthritis of knee joint, back pain and sciatica.
Shirshuladi vajra ras: This is an ayurvedic medicine useful in treating headaches like migraine.
Dashmoola katutrayadi kashyam : This is used in treatment of cold, cough and asthma.
Conclusion
Gambhari may not have the celebrity status of herbs like Tulsi or Ashwagandha, but its healing power is no less profound. Whether as a bone-strengthening tonic, a skin-healing wash, or a gentle liver protector, this golden tree has been quietly serving humankind for generations. In a time when many are searching for natural, holistic ways to restore balance, Gambhari stands as a reminder that nature often hides its best medicines in plain sight.
Please consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
This Article is written by Dr. Ashutosh Tiwari B.A.M.S, PGDCR Director of Risha’s Health And Ayurvedaa Solutions.He is having more than 20 years of experience in field of Ayurvedic medicine.
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Disclaimer :The content provided here is for informational purpose only. This blog is not intended to substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek medical advice of a qualified healthcare provider for any questions or concern you may have regarding a medical conditions.
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