Sarja (Vateria Indica)

Sarja (Vateria Indica) – The White Dammar or Indian Copal Tree

Introduction

“Sarja” also famous as “Kahruba” is a multipurpose plant that has medicinal as well as economic importance. Sarja is a large evergreen tree that has been used for making varnishes and as incense from ancient times. Sarja botanically known as Vateria indica has been described by Hook in 1874 and Gamble in 1915. Reference to Sarja is also available in astrological science that makes us understand its bondage with tradition and culture. Sarja is used for the treatment of various respiratory, and reproductive system disorders along with skin disorders, diabetes, piles, etc of its various pharmacological activities like anti-inflammatory, anti-cancerous, wound healing, anti-bacterial, etc. properties. “Sarjrasa” is the oleoresin that is obtained from Vateria indica. Sarja yield semi-solid fat Dhupa fat or Malabar Tallow, piney tallow which is used as an adulterant of Ghee and for edible purpose. It is also used as a substitute for cocoa butter or blends with cocoa butter.

The Important Point to Know about Sarja

Sarja is believed to be Vateria indica Linn. But it may be noted that many tree species characterized by resinous exudation, especially those belonging to the family of Dipterocarpaceae and Combretaceae are given names such as Maha Sarja, Laghu Sarja, Nadi Sarja, Nila Sarja, Sarjaka. Thus, it may be presumed that Sarja could better be a group name for all such trees showing resinous exudation.
Although the resin of Shorea (Shaal) is being used as Sarjarasa by Vaidyas Unani Hakims do use the resin of Vateria indica under name of Chandrarasa which is considered equally useful. According to Acharya Yadavji, both varieties of resins being recognized as Sarjarasa by the ancients cannot be over-ruled.

Basonym of Sarja

सर्ज्यते। षर्ज अर्जने।

Sarja (Vateria indica Linn.) grows robustly.

Synonyms of Sarja

According to Properties and Action

सर्जरसः – सर्जस्य रसः।

The useful part of Sarja is its exudate.

देवधूपः – देवानां धूपः।

The resins of Sarja are used for fumigation.

रालः – राति दधाति सुखं अलक्ष्मीनाशनेन।

The odor of fumigation done with Sarja rasa is pleasing to the mind.

Other Synonyms of Sarja are:

Ajkarna
Bastakarna
Gandhvriksha
Ranjanadruma
Chiraparni
Divyasara

Regional Names of Sarja

White dammar (English)
Kaharuba (Hindi)
Billidhupa, Rala Bilagaggala (Kannada)
Payin (Malayalam)
Ral (Marathi)
Safed Dammar (Tamil)
Kungiliyam, Vellai Kundarakam, Vellaikuntirikkam (Telugu)
Misbah-ul-room (Arabic)
Kahrubashamayi (Persian)

Botanical Name

Vateria indica Linn.

Vateria – In memory of Abraham Vater

indica – Native of India

Family

Dipterocarpaceae (Shala Kula)

Ayurveda Reference for Sarja (Vateria indica Linn.)

Scientific Classification of Sarja

Kingdom	Plantae
Class	Dicotyledons
Subclass	Polypetalae
Series	Thalami florae
Order	Guttiferales
Family	Dipterocarpaceae
Genus	Vateria
Species	indica

Classification of Sarja as per Charaka and Sushruta

Charaka: Kashaya Skandha * not mentioned in Mahakshaya
Sushruta: Shaalsaaradi Gana

Sarja, Sarjnaam Description in Brihtrayi

Charaka	Shusruta	Vagbhata (Ashtang Hridya)
C. S. Su. 3/ 4	S. S. Su. 6/ 33	A. H. Chi. 1/ 163
C. S. Vi. 8/ 151	S. S. Su. 14/ 37	A. H. U. 16/ 24
C. S. Chi. 3/ 257	S. S. Chi. 1/ 95 (Sarjnaam)	A. H. U. 25/ 58
C. S. Chi. 6/ 30	S. S. Chi. 3/ 6	A. H. U. 27/ 14
C. S. Chi. 25/ 90	S. S. Chi. 9/ 14	A. H. U. 28/ 34
C. S. Chi. 26/ 240	S. S. Chi. 19/ 31
C. S. Chi. 29/ 113	S. S. Chi. 20/ 9, 19
C. S. Chi. 30/ 121	S. S. Ka. 6/ 3
	S. S. U. 21/ 43
	S. S. U. 34/ 5

Sarjrasa, Sarjaj Description in Brihtrayi

Charaka	Shusruta	Vagbhata (Ashtang Hridya)
C. S. Su. 3/ 9	S. S. Su. 5/ 19	A. H. Su. 21/ 14
C. S. Su. 5/ 19	S. S. Su. 12/ 27	A. H. Su. 29/ 25
C. S. Chi. 7/ 120, 127	S. S. Su. 14/ 37	A. H. Chi. 4/ 12
C. S. Chi. 14/ 52, 220	S. S. Su. 16/ 27	A. H. Chi. 19/ 67, 71, 77
C. S. Chi. 17/ 78, 144	S. S. Su. 37/ 22, 29	A. H. Chi. 22/ 21, 22
C. S. Chi. 21/ 76	S. S. Su. 38/ 24	A. H. U. 16/ 52
C. S. Chi. 23/ 99	S. S. Sa. 10/ 57	A. H. U. 22/ 6
C. S. Chi. 29/ 21, 22	S. S. Chi. 1/ 85	A. H. U. 24/ 52
C. S. Si. 7/ 56	S. S. Chi. 3/ 58	A. H. U. 27/ 38
C. S. Si. 8/ 35	S. S. Chi. 5/ 12	A. H. U. 28/ 35
	S. S. Chi. 8/ 44	A. H. U. 32/ 25
	S. S. Chi. 9/ 10, 58	A. H. U. 32/ 56 (Sarjaj)
	S. S. Chi. 15/ 30	A. H. U. 35/ 22
	S. S. Chi. 18/ 33
	S. S. Chi. 22/ 5, 69
	S. S. Chi. 40/ 4
	S. S. Ka. 6/ 16
	S. S. U. 21/ 44
	S. S. U. 24/ 27
	S. S. U. 31/ 4
	S. S. U. 32/ 4
	S. S. U. 33/ 4
	S. S. U. 35/ 6

External Morphology of Sarja

Habit: Sarja is a large and handsome tree.
Bark: Its bark is whitish.
Branches: Young branches clothed
Leaves: Simple, 12 to 20 cm long, 5 to 10 cm wide, elliptic-oblong,
shortly pointed or obtuse, cordate base. 12 to 15 pairs of lateral nerves are present. The petiole is 2.5 cm long.
Inflorescence: Terminal panicle
Flowers: Small, 6 mm in diameter, and white.
Fruits: Capsule 6 cm long and 3.5 cm wide, fleshy, oblong, and 3 valved. Each valve comprises one seed.

Sarja Rasa (oleo gum resin)

Resin is exuded by the tree of Sarja which is known as Dhupa or Piney Resin or white Dammar. It is obtained by tapping the tree by making semicircular incisions on the stem through the cork cambium, up to the surface of the Sapwood. Blazes or cuts are spaced to cause less damage to the tree. The resin starts oozing from the incisions in 3-4 days and is continuous for 60 – 90 days. The resin is also exuded when the bark is scorched by lightning fire around the base of the tree the method gives a high yield of resin but damages the timber and may even kill the trees (Sarjvriksa).

Flowering and fruiting time

Fruits ripen June- July (artificial regeneration plantation) with the commencement of monsoon and start falling to the ground.

Distribution of Sarja

Sarja occurs in Southern – Western India. It is indigenous to the evergreen forest of the Western Ghats from North Kanara to Kerala. It is also planted extensively as an avenue tree in Karnataka and is suitable for afforestation evergreen forests of Eastern Ghats.

The Useful Part of Sarja

The useful part of Sarja is the Niryasa (Exudate)

Important Phytoconstituent of Sarja

The bark of Sarja contains:

levorotatory isomers of fisetinidol
polyphenols-dl-epi-catechin
Fzelechin
Bergenin

Oleo-the resin of Sarja contains:

Triterpene hydrocarbons
Ketones
Alcohols and acids

Oleoresin of Sarja on distillation gave an essential oil (76%) that consists of azulenes and phenolic constituents

Leaves & Roots of Sarja contains:

Bergenin
Phenols

Seeds contain bergenin

Fruits contain tannins (25%)

Recent Research on Sarja

Anti-inflammatory
Anti-helminthic
Anti-tumor
Anti-ulcer
Antioxidant
Anti-mutagenic

Rasa-Panchaka (Properties) of Sarja

Rasa (Taste)	Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent)
Guna (Virtue)	Snigdha (Oily)
Virya (Potency)	Sheet (Cold Potency)
Vipaka (Post-Digestion)	Katu (Pungent)
Dosha Karma (Action on Dosha)	Mainly Kapha – Pitta Nashaka, Mutra Sangrehahara, raktadoshahara, Kustghana, Kandughana, Vataghana, Snehana, Vednasthapana

Prayogarha Vyadhi (Therapeutic Indication) of Sarja

Vidridhi, Badhirya, Vaivarnya, Krimi Roga, Yoni Roga, Kustha, Kandu

Aamyik Prayog (Therapeutic Uses) of Sarja

Grahani Roga (Sprue) – Sarjarasa mixed with jaggery (Sharkara) should be taken to control Grahani Roga. (Bhavaprakasa Chiktsa Sthan. 4/ 58))
Vatarakta (Gouty arthritis) – The external application of oil processed with sour gruel and Sarja alleviates fever, burning sensation, and pain. (Charaka Chikitsa Sthana. 29/ 122)
Abhighata (Wound) – Sarja Rasa should be used for fumigating the wound. (Sushruta Sutra Sthana. 37/ 21)
Padadari (Cracks on the sole) – Powder of Sarja and rock salt mixed with honey and mustard oil should be churned and applied locally.(Vrinda Madhava 57. 11)
Kshudra Roga (minor disease – Whitlow) – After fomenting with the hot water the powder of Sarj rasa should be applied to the wound and bandaged. (Vrind Madhava. 57/ 17)

Important Benefits of Sarja

Sarja Rasa obtained from the bark of the tree is used in throat troubles and chronic bronchitis
Sarjarasa is used for the treatment of wound healing, ulcer healing, asthma, leprosy, cough, skin eruptions and crack infection.

Matra (Therapeutic Administration and Dosage) of Sarja

Niryasa (Exudate) – 1- 3 gram
Kwatha (Decoction) of Sarja – 50 – 100 ml

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Classical Reference of Sarja (Vateria indica)

Kaiyadeva Nighantu Aushadhiadi Varga, 842- 843

अजाकर्णो लतावृक्षो बस्तकर्णोथ सर्जक: |

कुशरीर: स्नेहहर: कषायी रञ्जनद्रुम: ॥

सर्जकषायो वर्ण्यश्च कफस्वेदमदकृमीन्‌ ।

वधर्मर्विद्रधि बाधिर्य योनिकर्णरुजाः हरेत्‌॥

Raja Nighantu, Prabhadradi Varga, 78- 80

a. सर्जस्तु तुवरस्तिक्त: हिम: स्निग्धो अतिसारजित्‌।

पित्तास्रदोषकुष्ठष्न: कण्डूविस्फोटवातजित्‌॥

b. सर्ज: सर्जरस: शाल: कालकूटो रजोद्धवः |

वल्लीवृक्षश्चरपर्णी राल: कार्श्यो अजकर्णकः ||

वस्तकर्ण: कषायी च ललनी गन्धवृक्षकः |

वंशश्च शाल निर्यासो दिव्यसार: सुरेष्टकः ||

शूरो अग्निवल्लभश्चेव यक्षधूप: सुसिद्धकः।

c. सर्जस्तु कटुतिक्तोष्णो हिम: स्निग्धो अतिसारजित्‌ ।

पित्तास्रदोषकुष्ठनुत्‌ कण्डूविस्फोटवातजित्‌ ॥

Kaiyadeva Nighantu Aushadhiadi Varga, 842- 843

Sarjrasa Tailam

तैलं सर्जरसोद्धृतं विस्फोटकविनाशनम्‌ ॥

कुष्ठपामाकृमिहरं हन्यात्‌ श्लेष्मानिलामयान्‌।

कषायतिक्तकटुकं सारलं व्रणजन्तुजित्‌ ॥

Raja Nighantu, Chandanadi varga, 329 – 330

रालः सर्जरस:

राल: सर्जरसश्रैव शाल: कनकलोद्धवः ।

ललन: शालनिर्यासो देवेष्ट: शीतलस्तथा ॥

बहुरूप: शालरस: सर्जनिर्यासकस्तथा।

काल: कललज: प्रोक्तो नाम्ना सप्तदशांकित: ॥

Raal Guna

रालस्त शशिर: स्निग्ध: कषायस्तिकत संग्रह:।

वातपित्तहर: स्फोट कण्डूतिवर्णनाशनः।।

Bhavaprakasha Karpuradi Varga, 48- 49

रालस्तु शालनिर्यासस्तथा सर्जरस: स्मृतः ।

देव धूपो यक्षधूपस्तथा सर्जरसश्च सः ॥

रालो हिमो गुरुस्तिक्त: कषायो ग्राहको हरेत्‌।

दोषास्तर स्वेद वीसर्प ज्वर व्रण विषादिका: ॥।

ग्रह भग्नाग्निदग्धांश्च शूलातीसारनाशन: ।

Bhavaprakasha Chikitsa, Grehani Roga Adhikara, 4 / 58

ग्रहणयां सर्ज रस चूर्णम

श्रेतो वा यदि वा रक्ताः सुपक्वो ग्रहणीगदः ।

गुडे नाधिकसर्जेन भक्षितेनाशु नश्यति ॥

Chakradutta, Kshudra Roga Chikitsa, 55/ 19 and Vrindmadhava, 57/ 17

चिप्प उपचार सर्ज रस चूर्ण प्रयोग

चिप्पमुष्णाम्बुना स्विन्नम उदधृत्याभ्यज्य तम व्रणाम।

दत्वा सर्ज रसं चूर्णम बद्ध्वा व्रण वदाचरेत्‌।।

Specific Formulation of Sarja

Shatyadi Kshaya indicated for Sannipataja Jvara
Shatyadi Yoga indicated for Hikka, Swasha
Shatyadi Churna indicated for Gulma, Plihavriddhi
Chyavanaprasha indicated as Rasayana and for Kasa
Amritaprasha Ghrita indicated for Swasha Roga and Jvara.

Some Other Important Formulations of Shati are as follows:

Sarja Taila – Indicated in Daha, Jvara
Sarja Kashaya – Indicated in Updansha
Ayaskriti – Indicated in Prameha, Pandu
Sarj Rasa Churna – Indicated in Grahani

Some other formulations are:

Chinchadi Thailam
Sarvmanyantak Ghritam
Lavangadi Churna

Contraindication and Side Effects of Sarja

Sarja can be used in pregnant women and lactating mothers but under medical supervision. Sarja can also be given to children but in a small dosage.

Suggestive Reading Regarding Sarja

Gaddam, Venkateswarlu & Ramaseshan, Shantha & N, Shiddamallayya & Ramakrishna, Kishore Kumar & Sridhar, Bangalore. (2011). Preliminary physicochemical evaluation of Sarja rasa (resin of Vateria indica Linn.) and its traditional medicinal formulation.
Hari, Venkatesh & C K, Sushrutha. (2010). FLORA OF CONCERN ENDANGERED MEDICINAL PLANTS – PART I VATERIA INDICA LINN, DIPTEROCARPACEAE – A REVIEW. International Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Pharmacy. 1.
International Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Pharmacy (IJRAP) 2011 Vol.2 No.2 pp.334-337 ref.11, http://www.ijrap.net/vol2/issue2/2.pdf

References

Agnivesha, Charaka, Dridhabala . In: Charaka Samhita, ed. Vaidya Jadavaji Trikamji Aacharya., editor. Varanasi: Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan; 2009.
Sushruta. In: Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, ed. Vaidya Jadavji Trikamji Acharya., editor. Varanasi: Choukhambha Orientalia; 2005.
Vagbhata. In: Ashtanga Hrudaya, 9th ed. Anna Moreshwar Kunte, Krishnashastri Navarre, Harishastri, editors. Varanasi: Choukhambha Orientalia; 2005.
Bhavamishra. In: BhavaPrakasha Nighantu, 11th ed. part 2. Brahma Shankara Mishra., editor. Varanasi: Choukhambha Bharati Academy; 2009.
Bhavprakasha, commentary by Bulusu Sitaram, forwarded by K.C.Chunekar
Sharma PV, Kaideva Nighantu. Aushadhi Varga. Chaukhamba Orientalia, Varanasi; 2006:
Tripathi I., Raja Nighantu, Chandanadi, Prabhdradi Varga, Chaukhamba Krishnadas Academy; Varanasi; 2010
Dr. Gyanendra Pandey, Dravyaguna Vigyana, reprint 2012, Chwkhamba Krishnadas Academy
K.niteshwar Dravyagunavigyana, reprint 2017.
Dr. J.L.N. Sastry and Dr. B.S. Sastry, Dravyaguna Vigyana, Chaukhambha Orientalia, Varanasi.
Chakrapanidatta, chakradatta with the vaidayaprabhahindi commentary by indradevatripathi, chaukambha sankritasansthan, varanai 2nd Edition, 1994.

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