Shirisha in Ayurveda: Properties & Everyday Use

What it is

Shirisha is the stem bark of Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth., a large deciduous tree of the family Fabaceae (subfamily Mimosoideae). In Ayurvedic materia medica it is the classical vishaghna, anti-poison, drug, and bark, flowers, leaves, and seeds are all used in different preparations (IJAHM review). Phytochemical work identifies saponins, tannins, flavonoids, and related compounds in the bark and leaves (IJRAR review, 2022; IJAHM review).

Classical properties

• Taste (rasa): bitter (Tikta), astringent (Kashaya)
• Qualities (guna): light (Laghu), dry (Ruksha)
• Potency (virya): cooling (Sheeta)
• After digestion (vipaka): pungent (Katu)
• Doshas: traditionally said to settle Kapha; may increase Pitta and Vata

Traditional use

Classical Ayurveda classifies shirisha as vishaghna (countering poisoning), kushtaghna (useful in skin diseases), and shothahara (relieving inflammation), and its bark decoction is the preparation traditionally used for Tamak Shwasa (bronchial asthma) (WJPR review, 2025; Kumar et al., 2010). Traditional practice also uses preparations of the flower for poisoning and insect bites (WJPR review, 2025). These are traditional claims, not clinical proof: the human evidence is assessed separately below. (Nothing here replaces emergency care for poisoning or bites; seek immediate medical help.)

What research has looked at

Asthma — one open, uncontrolled clinical study

The only human study found is an open clinical study by Kumar et al. (International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, 2010). Eighty-one patients with bronchial asthma received Shireesh Twak Kwatha, stem-bark decoction of Albizia lebbeck, for 6 weeks, alongside a light diet. The study reported a significant increase in peak expiratory flow rate and significant decreases in total leukocyte count, eosinophil count, and ESR. 56% of patients showed a "good" response, 38% "fair," and 6% "poor": but 31 of the 81 patients dropped out, and there was no control group, no blinding, and no randomization (Kumar et al., 2010). This is a preliminary signal from a weak design, not proof of efficacy.

Allergy and anaphylaxis — animal studies

The decoction of the bark and flower was studied for anti-asthmatic and anti-anaphylactic activity in experimental models (Tripathi et al., 1977); in guinea pigs, bark decoction protected against histamine-induced bronchospasm (IJAHM review). A standardized bark extract has shown antiallergic and mast-cell-stabilizing activity in experimental studies (IJRAR review, 2022). All of this is animal and laboratory work: supportive of the traditional rationale, but not human evidence.

Evidence gaps

No randomized, placebo-controlled trial of shirisha, for asthma, allergy, skin disease, or poisoning, was found. Claims that it treats allergies or asthma in humans rest on one uncontrolled study and animal data.

Safety notes

• Human safety data are limited to the single small open study above, whose published abstract reports efficacy parameters; dedicated human toxicity and long-term safety studies of shirisha were not found.
• Traditional texts describe use in poisoning contexts: this is a classical classification, not evidence of efficacy, and acute poisoning or bites require immediate emergency medical care, not herbs.
• As with any bioactive plant preparation, consult a qualified practitioner before use, especially alongside asthma or allergy medications.

FAQs

What is shirisha?

The stem bark of Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth., a deciduous tree of the Fabaceae family, and Ayurveda's classical vishaghna (anti-poison) drug (WJPR review, 2025).

Is shirisha used for poisoning?

Classical Ayurveda classifies it as vishaghna and describes its use in poisoning and insect bites: but this is traditional classification, not clinical evidence. Acute poisoning or bites need immediate emergency medical care, not herbal preparations.

Does shirisha help asthma?

Possibly, but unproven. One open, uncontrolled study of bark decoction in 81 asthma patients reported improved peak flow and lower eosinophil counts, with 31 dropouts and no control group (Kumar et al., 2010). No RCT exists.

What dose of shirisha was studied?

Swastik does not suggest amounts. The right amount depends on the person, the preparation and the product, so check with a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner or your doctor before taking any herb.

Is shirisha safe?

Human safety data are limited to one small open study with no dedicated safety assessment; dedicated toxicity studies were not found. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.

Sources

• Kumar S, Bansal P, Gupta V, Sannd R, Rao MM. "The Clinical Effect of Albizia lebbeck Stem Bark Decoction on Bronchial Asthma." International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research. 2010 — ijpsdronline.com
• "Shirisha — therapeutic properties in Ayurvedic practice" (review). World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 2025;14(8) — wjpr.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com
• "Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth — An untapped source of medicinal wisdom" (review). International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews. 2022;9(3) — ijrar.org
• Review of Albizia lebbeck pharmacology (Tripathi et al. 1977; Pramanick et al. 2005; Venkatesh et al. 2010). International Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicine. 2015;5(1):1683–1688 — mail.interscience.org.uk

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.