Lodhra.

Tillaka. Vern. Lodh, Beng. Hind.

The bark of this tree, used in dyeing red, is considered cooling, astringent and useful in bowel complaints, eye diseases, ulcers, etc. It enters into the composition of numerous prescriptions for bowel complaints, along with bela, and kurchi bark. A decoction of the wood is used as a gargle for giving firmness to spongy and bleeding gums.3 In bleeding from the gums, a paste composed of lodhra bark, rasot, tubers of Cyperus rotundus (mustaka) and honey, is applied to the gums.4 The Amritasagara recommends the following application for ophthalmia. Take of lodhra bark liquorice root, burnt alum and rasot, equal parts, and rub into a paste with water. This is applied round the eyes.