Talk:Talisa
| Section/Chapter | Herb database/Talisa |
|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Abies webbiana Lindl. |
| Family | Pinaceae |
| Availability | Available |
| Contributors | Team Dravyaguna |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | Awaited |
Talisapatra (Latin: Abies webbiana Lindl.; synonym: Abies spectabilis (D.Don) Spach; family: Pinaceae) is a tall, evergreen coniferous tree native to the high-altitude Himalayan belt. In Ayurveda, its aromatic leaves are regarded as an important expectorant, bronchodilator, carminative and Kapha-Vata pacifying drug, and are the principal ingredient of Talisadi Churna.[1]
Botanical & Vernacular Names
- Botanical Name: Abies webbiana Lindl. / Abies spectabilis (D.Don) Spach
- Family: Pinaceae (Coniferae)
- English Names: Himalayan silver fir, East Himalayan fir, Indian silver fir
- Sanskrit / Classical Names: Talisapatra, Talisa, Patradhya
- Hindi: Talispatra, Chilrow
- Bengali: Talishpatra, Talish
- Tamil: Talisapatri
- Telugu: Taleesapatri
Synonyms in Classical Texts
- Synonyms in Bhavaprakasha Nighantu:[2]
- Talisa – Traditional designation.
- Patradhya – Having abundant, prominent foliage.
- Dhatripatra – Leaves resembling the feathery foliage of Amalaki (Phyllanthus emblica).
- Madhurapatra – Leaves with a faint sweet aftertaste.
Ayurvedic Pharmacological Properties
According to classical Ayurvedic pharmacodynamics (Rasa Panchaka), Talisapatra has hot potency and lightness, which makes it useful against obstructive mucus and cold (sheeta) conditions:[1]
| Sr. No. | Pharmacological Criteria | Properties (Ayurvedic Attributes) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taste (Rasa) | Sweet (Madhura), Bitter (Tikta), Pungent (Katu) |
| 2 | Potency (Veerya) | Hot (Ushna) |
| 3 | Post-digestion Effect (Vipaka) | Pungent (Katu) |
| 4 | Qualities (Guna) | Light (Laghu), Sharp / Penetrating (Tikshna) |
| 5 | Dosha Action (Karma) | Pacifies Kapha and Vata (Kapha-Vatahara) |
| 6 | Specific Actions (Karma) | Expectorant and anti-tussive (Kasahara), Bronchodilatory (Swasahara), Digestive stimulant (Deepana), Cardiac tonic (Hrudya), Carminative (Vatanulomana) |
References in Charaka Samhita
Talisapatra is documented in several therapeutic formulations within the Charaka Samhita:
| Sr. No. | Reference in Charak Samhita | Context / Formulation / Application |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha.Sa.Sharira Sthana 8/41 | Indicated in fumigation and therapeutic pastes during post-delivery management for placenta expulsion (Apara Patana) |
| 2 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 17/143 | Ingredient of Tejovatyadi Ghrita for dyspnea and cough |
| 3 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/192 | Ingredient of Kalaka Churna for throat and oral afflictions |
| 4 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 27/30 | Used as an aromatic adjuvant (Yoga Dravya) in gastrointestinal and Vata disorders |
Therapeutic Indications (Classical)
Talisapatra is traditionally indicated in:[1]
- Kasa (Cough / Bronchitis / Tracheitis)
- Swasa (Dyspnea / Asthma / COPD)
- Hikka (Hiccups)
- Agnimandhya & Aruchi (Hypochlorhydria / Anorexia / Loss of taste)
- Amadosha (Impaired digestion / Metabolic toxins)
- Gulma (Abdominal lump / Phantom tumor)
- Kshaya (Phthisis / Chronic pulmonary debility / Wasting disease)
- Chardi (Vomiting / Emesis)
- Krumi (Intestinal parasites / Helminthiasis)
- Mukharoga (Disorders of the oral cavity)
Dosage & Administration
- Powder (Churna): 2–3 g of dried leaf powder daily in divided doses, traditionally taken with honey or warm water.[1]
Classical Formulations
- Talisadi Churna
- Talisadi Modaka
- Drakshadi Churna
- Bhaskara Lavana
- Pranada Gutika
- Jatiphaladi Churna
- Puga Khanda
Current Researches
Phytochemical Composition
Phytochemical work on Abies webbiana leaves has reported essential oil, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids and an alkaloid:
- Alkaloid: 1-(4′-methoxyphenyl)-aziridine was isolated from the leaf and is the first alkaloid reported from this species.[3]
- Flavonoids: A flavonoid isolated from the leaves (identified as a quercetin derivative) showed hepatoprotective and nephroprotective activity in rats.[4] The biflavonoid abiesin has also been reported.[3]
- Other constituents: The essential oil is reported to contain monoterpenes such as α-pinene, β-pinene, limonene and camphene.
Pharmacological Activities
Bronchodilator & Antispasmodic Activity
Classical texts describe Talisapatra as Swasahara (relieving dyspnea).
- Scientific Evidence: The crude extract of A. webbiana caused complete relaxation of spontaneous and K+-induced contractions in rabbit jejunum, and relaxed carbachol- and K+-induced contractions in isolated rabbit trachea, comparable to verapamil. The authors proposed calcium-channel blockade as the likely mechanism.[5]
Antitussive Activity
- Scientific Evidence: In mice with sulphur dioxide-induced cough, the oral methanol extract of the leaves (400 and 600 mg/kg) inhibited cough frequency by 71.69% and 78.67% respectively, an effect comparable to codeine phosphate.[6]
Anti-Platelet Activity
- Scientific Evidence: The crude extract inhibited ADP- and epinephrine-induced aggregation of human platelets in vitro, suggesting potential against thrombo-embolic conditions.[5]
Antibacterial Activity
- Scientific Evidence: Antibacterial activity of A. webbiana has been demonstrated in vitro.[7]
Neuropharmacological Activity
- Scientific Evidence: The methanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction of the aerial parts showed antianxiety, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, sedative, antistress and analgesic activities in rodents. Flavonoids were proposed as the bioactive constituents.[8]
Safety & Precautions
- Adverse Effects: Because of its hot potency (Ushna Veerya) and pungent post-digestive effect (Katu Vipaka), excess dosing may aggravate Pitta, causing heartburn or gastric irritation, particularly in people with peptic ulcer. This is a classical rationale rather than a clinical finding.
- Toxicity: Formal toxicity data for the therapeutic dose in humans are lacking; further safety studies are needed.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. 4 (Part I ed.). Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India. 1986. pp. 58–59.
- ↑ Chunekar, K. C. (2020). Bhavaprakash Nighantu (Reprint ed.). Chaukhambha Bharati Academy. pp. Karpuradi varga, verse 114.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Ghosh, A. K.; Sen, D.; Bhattacharya, S. (2010). "A new alkaloid isolated from Abies webbiana leaf". Pharmacognosy Research. 2 (3): 186–189. doi:10.4103/0974-8490.65516.
- ↑ Yadav, D. K.; Ali, M.; Ghosh, A. K.; Kumar, B. (2016). "Isolation of flavonoid from Abies webbiana leaves and its activity". Pharmacognosy Journal. 8 (4): 341–345. doi:10.5530/pj.2016.4.6.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Yasin, M.; Janbaz, K. H.; Imran, I.; Gilani, A. H.; Bashir, S. (2014). "Pharmacological studies on the antispasmodic, bronchodilator and anti-platelet activities of Abies webbiana". Phytotherapy Research. 28 (8): 1182–1187.
- ↑ Nayak, S. S.; Ghosh, A. K.; Srikanth, K.; Debnath, B.; Jha, T. (2003). "Antitussive activity of Abies webbiana Lindl. leaf extract against sulphur dioxide-induced cough reflex in mice". Phytotherapy Research. 17 (8): 930–932. PMID 13680827.
- ↑ Vishnoi, S. P.; Ghosh, A. K.; Debnath, B.; Samanta, S.; Gayen, S.; Jha, T. (2007). "Antibacterial activity of Abies webbiana". Fitoterapia. 78 (2): 153–155.
- ↑ Parkash, O.; Kumar, D.; Kumar, S. (2015). "Screening of methanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction of Abies webbiana Lindl. for neuropharmacological activities". Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 77 (5): 536–541.