Thorny Bamboo / Indian Bamboo

HERBAL GARDEN

Vivek college of Ayurvedic Sciences & Hospital Bijnor UP

वंश

Classification

Synoyms

Vansha
Banslochan (siliceous secretion)
Bamboosilica
Tvakksara (in classical texts)

Habit

Tall, perennial, woody grass (bamboo)

Habitat

Commonly found in tropical and subtropical forests of India. Grows in hilly areas, riverbanks and plains.

Morphology

Grows up to 10–30 meters tall
Woody, jointed, hollow stems (culms) with nodes and internodes
Long, narrow, lanceolate leaves
Produces flowers rarely; some species flower after decades
Banslochan (a siliceous secretion) is collected from inner nodes

Chemical Composition

Silica (main component of Banslochan)
Potassium
Calcium
Iron
Flavonoids
Phenols
Oxalic acid
Tannins
Proteins
Starch
Essential amino acids

Guna-Karma

Rasa- Madhura, Kashaya
Guna- Laghu, Ruksha
Virya- Shita
Vipaka- Madhura
Karma- Balya, Rasayana, Shwasahara, Jwaraghna, Raktapittahara, Garbhaposhaka

Medicinal uses

Banslochan is used as a tonic in general debility, cough, cold and fever.
Effective in bleeding disorders, menorrhagia and hemoptysis.
Used in pediatric tonics and prenatal formulations.
Strengthens bones and promotes fetal development.
Useful in respiratory conditions like asthma, bronchitis.

Useful Part

Banslochan (siliceous secretion)
Leaves, Young shoots, Root, Resin

Doses

Banslochan powder: 500 mg – 2 g
Decoction (Kwath): 20–40 ml

Important Formulation

Sitopaladi Churna
Vanshlochanadi Churna
Bal Ghuti
Chandraprabha Vati

Shloka

वंशः शीतो लघुः स्वादुः स्वरदः पित्तनाशनः।
कासश्वासप्रशमनः श्लेष्मघ्नः परमार्दवः॥ (भावप्रकाश निघण्टु – तृणवर्ग)

Hindi Name

बांस

English Name