Koshamra: Benefits, Evidence & Safety

TL;DR

Koshamra is the Ayurvedic name for Schleichera oleosa (Ceylon oak), a tree whose bark, fruit, and seed oil are traditionally used for pain, inflammation, ulcers, and rheumatic complaints. Modern research is limited to animal and lab studies: bark extracts reduced arthritis symptoms in rats and protected rat livers. No human trials exist, so clinical benefits are unproven.

What it is

Koshamra is the Ayurvedic name for Schleichera oleosa (Lour.) Oken (syn. Schleichera trijuga Willd.), a large deciduous tree of the soapberry family (Sapindaceae): "known as 'Koshamra' in Ayurveda" (Tandalekar et al., Chemistry & Biodiversity, 2026). The stem bark, fruit, and seed oil (kusum oil) are the parts used in traditional medicine.

Traditional use

The tree has long been used for pain, inflammation, ulcers, and rheumatic conditions (Tandalekar et al., 2026). Classical Ayurvedic texts place it in several groupings: the Sushruta Samhita includes koshamra in the Nyagrodhadi gana and Amla varga, the Charaka Samhita in the Amla skandha, and the Ashtanga Hridayam in the Nyagrodhadi gana (International Journal of Drug Delivery Technology review, 2025). In regional practice it is used to treat pain and rheumatism in different parts of India (WJARR review). These are traditional claims, not clinical proof.

What modern research says

Arthritis and inflammation

The strongest study to date: a methanol bark extract and its fractions were tested in vitro (inhibiting nitric oxide production and protein denaturation) and then in rats with Complete Freund's Adjuvant–induced arthritis at 200 and 400 mg/kg. At 400 mg/kg, the n-hexane fraction eased arthritic symptoms, raised antioxidant markers, moved joint structure back toward normal, and brought down pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6). Analysis of the fraction identified lupeol, lupeol acetate, betulinic acid, and β-sitosterol (Tandalekar et al., 2026). This is animal evidence only.

Liver protection

A 2025 study gave rats leaf extract at 50, 100, or 150 mg/kg before paracetamol-induced liver injury. SGOT and SGPT levels fell significantly in all extract groups, with 100 mg/kg the most effective: though the reference compound curcumin protected better. The extract also showed strong DPPH antioxidant activity (IC50 11.43 µg/mL) (JAMU). Animal data only.

Wound healing

Ointments containing 5% and 10% methanolic bark extract accelerated wound contraction in rats, attributed to antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects of its flavonoids, terpenoids, and tannins (wound-healing study). Animal evidence only.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activity (lab)

Bark extracts showed free-radical scavenging in DPPH and nitric-oxide assays, with high phenol and tannin content in the methanol extract (Latha & Sathish, Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal, 2021). A 2023 review summarizes additional preliminary reports of antimicrobial and anticancer activity, all preclinical (WJARR).

What the evidence does not support (yet)

A recent review concludes that scientific validation of koshamra "remains limited, with only preliminary studies supporting its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties" (International Journal of Drug Delivery Technology review, 2025). No human clinical trial has tested koshamra for any condition.

Safety & contraindications

No human safety data exists for koshamra: safety data is limited, so talk to a clinician before use. A rat wound-healing study reported that a bark-extract ointment sped wound contraction in the animal model (study), but that says nothing about internal use in people. A phytochemical review lists cyanogenic glucosides among the seed's constituents (WJARR review), so seed preparations should not be ingested without professional supervision. Nothing is known about drug interactions.

FAQs

What is koshamra?

Koshamra is the Ayurvedic name for Schleichera oleosa (Lour.) Oken (syn. S. trijuga), a large deciduous tree in the soapberry family (Sapindaceae): "known as 'Koshamra' in Ayurveda" (Wiley, Chemistry & Biodiversity). Its stem bark, fruit, and seed oil (kusum oil) are the parts used in traditional medicine.

Is koshamra good for arthritis or joint pain?

Traditionally it is used for pain, inflammation, and rheumatic conditions (Wiley). The only experimental support is a rat study in which a bark fraction reduced arthritis symptoms, restored joint architecture, and lowered inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) (same). No human trial exists, so joint benefits in people are unproven.

What is kusum oil?

Kusum oil is the oil pressed from koshamra seeds, traditionally massaged into joints for rheumatism and applied to skin complaints, ulcers, and wounds in Ayurvedic and folk practice (WJARR review). Its effects have not been tested in human trials, and a phytochemical review lists cyanogenic glucosides among the seed's constituents (WJARR review): so seed oil should not be ingested without professional supervision.

Is koshamra safe?

No human safety data exists for koshamra. A rat wound-healing study reported that a bark-extract ointment sped wound contraction in the animal model (study), but that says nothing about internal use in people. Given the lack of human data, talk to a clinician before using it, and do not ingest seed preparations casually.

Can koshamra help heal wounds or ulcers?

Traditionally its bark and seed preparations are applied to wounds and ulcers. In rats, an ointment made from methanolic bark extract (5% and 10% w/w) sped up wound contraction, attributed to antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects (study). This is animal evidence only; infected or serious wounds need medical care.

No. No pharmacopoeial monograph or human trial sets a dose. The rat arthritis study used bark fractions at 200–400 mg/kg (Wiley), which cannot be converted to a human dose. Traditional texts describe bark decoctions and seed-oil applications, but without standardized dosing. Do not self-dose.

Sources

Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Herbal products can interact with medications and are not suitable for everyone. Talk to a qualified healthcare practitioner before use — especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, managing a medical condition, or taking prescription medicines.