Lodhra: 23 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
1. Ayurveda
2. Shaktism
3. Purana
In Jainism
1. General definition
Biology
Languages
1. Marathi
2. Sanskrit
3. Kannada
4. Nepali
See also
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Introduction:

Lodhra means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Marathi, biology. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Cikitsa (natural therapy and treatment for medical conditions)

Source: Wisdom Library: Ayurveda: Cikitsa

Lodhra (लोध्र) is a Sanskrit word referring to the “lodh tree”, a species of plant from the Symplocaceae family of flowering plants, and is used throughout Ayurvedic literature such as the Caraka-saṃhitā. In the Prakrit language, it is known as Loddha or Luddha. The official botanical name is Symplocos racemosa and is commonly referred to in English as the “Lode tree” among others. Lodhra is astringent, cold, rough and grāhī (checking). It is useful in diarrhoea, menorrhagia, conjunctivitis and raktapitta (innate haemorrhage).

This plant (Lodhra) is also mentioned as a medicine used for the treatment of all major fevers (jvara), as described in the Jvaracikitsā (or “the treatment of fever”) which forms the first chapter of the Sanskrit work called Mādhavacikitsā. In this work, the plant is also known by the names Tilvaka.

Source: Ancient Science of Life: Botanical identification of plants described in Mādhava Cikitsā

1) Lodhra (लोध्र) or Rodhra refers to the medicinal plant Symplocos racemosa Roxb., and is used in the treatment of atisāra (diarrhoea), according to the 7th century Mādhavacikitsā chapter 2. Atisāra refers to a condition where there are three or more loose or liquid stools (bowel movements) per day or more stool than normal. The second chapter of the Mādhavacikitsā explains several preparations [including Lodhra] through 60 Sanskrit verses about treating this problem.

2) Lodhra (लोध्र) or Rodhra can also be identified with Symplocos paniculata (Thunb.) Miq.

Kalpa (Formulas, Drug prescriptions and other Medicinal preparations)

Source: Ancient Science of Life: Yogaśataka of Pandita Vararuci

Lodhra (लोध्र) refers to a medicinal plant known as Symplocos racemosa, and is mentioned in the 10th century Yogaśataka written by Pandita Vararuci.—The Yogaśataka of Pandita Vararuci is an example of this category. This book attracts reader by its very easy language and formulations which can be easily prepared and have small number of herbs (viz., Lodhra). It describes only those formulations which are the most common and can be used in majority conditions of diseases.

Source: Shodhganga: Edition translation and critical study of yogasarasamgraha

Lodhra (लोध्र) refers to the medicinal plant known as “Symplocos cochinchinensis (Lour.) Moore” and is dealt with in the 15th-century Yogasārasaṅgraha (Yogasara-saṅgraha) by Vāsudeva: an unpublished Keralite work representing an Ayurvedic compendium of medicinal recipes. The Yogasārasaṃgraha [mentioning lodhra] deals with entire recipes in the route of administration, and thus deals with the knowledge of pharmacy (bhaiṣajya-kalpanā) which is a branch of pharmacology (dravyaguṇa).

Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)

Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha Chikitsa

Lodhra (लोध्र) refers to an herbal ingredient included in a Recipe which will bring a dead person to life, according to the Kāśyapa Saṃhitā: an ancient Sanskrit text from the Pāñcarātra tradition dealing with both Tantra and Viṣacikitsā—an important topic from Āyurveda which deals with the study of Toxicology (Viṣavidyā or Sarpavidyā).—Kāśyapa prescribes various antidotes to quell the poison by administering them through nasal drugs, collyrium, ointment, herbal drinks and diet. One antidote he suggests doubles up as a nasal application and collyrium—[including for example, lodhra] [...], made with urine (bovine) which will bring to life, a dead person.

Rasashastra (Alchemy and Herbo-Mineral preparations)

Source: History of Science in South Asia: Making Gems in Indian Alchemical Literature

Lodhra (लोध्र) refers to Symplocos racemosa Roxb., which is used in the recipe of Matsyakajjala (“fish black”), according to the Vādakhaṇḍa section of the Rasaratnākara (lit. “jewel mine of mercury”): a 13th century alchemical work in Sanskrit written by Nityanātha.—Accordingly, while describing the recipe for Matsyakajjala: “Rub lac with four times its amount of water; take 4,8 litres of this liquid, filtered through a cloth, and boil it in an earthen vessel on low heat, until a fourth of it remains. Add 48 g each of powdered Natron, Borax, and Lodhra (i.e., Symplocos racemosa Roxb.). Heat it a bit. Then, once it has cooled down, pour it into a glass bottle. Cook the skin of a fat fish for a day and night with this water. When it has thickened, remove it. This is known as ‘fish black’”.

Note: The bark of the Lodhra tree (Symplocos racemosa, Roxb.) has a range of medicinal uses that are already attested in the earliest of the Indian medical works. More relevantly, the bark has also traditionally been used as a mordant in textile dyeing, especially for dyeing fabrics with red dyes like lac or Indian madder. Lodhra fixes the colour, but also gives it a greater vibrancy. And both borax and natron can also be used as mordants in textile dyeing processes, each contributing further to the colour fastness of the dye and its colour intensity.

Veterinary Medicine (The study and treatment of Animals)

Source: archive.org: The Elephant Lore of the Hindus

Lodhra (लोध्र) is identified with Symplocos racemosa, and is used in a recipe for the attraction of elephants, according to the 15th century Mātaṅgalīlā composed by Nīlakaṇṭha in 263 Sanskrit verses, dealing with elephantology in ancient India, focusing on the science of management and treatment of elephants.—[Cf. chapter 10, “on the catching of elephants”]: “8. When bathed with varā (some plant), aloes, the bark of trees with milky juices, māleya (cardamoms?), kāleyaka (a fragrant wood), the root of Andropogon muricatus, and Symplocos racemosa [e.g., lodhra], with (mixed in) very cool water in jars, the cow is made seductive to male elephants”.

context information

Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Wisdom Library: Śrīmad Devī Bhāgavatam

Lodhra (लोध्र) is the name of a tree found in maṇidvīpa (Śakti’s abode), according to the Devī-bhāgavata-purāṇa 12.10. Accordingly, these trees always bear flowers, fruits and new leaves, and the sweet fragrance of their scent is spread across all the quarters in this place. The trees (e.g. Lodhra) attract bees and birds of various species and rivers are seen flowing through their forests carrying many juicy liquids. Maṇidvīpa is defined as the home of Devī, built according to her will. It is compared with Sarvaloka, as it is superior to all other lokas.

The Devī-bhāgavata-purāṇa, or Śrīmad-devī-bhāgavatam, is categorised as a Mahāpurāṇa, a type of Sanskrit literature containing cultural information on ancient India, religious/spiritual prescriptions and a range of topics concerning the various arts and sciences. The whole text is composed of 18,000 metrical verses, possibly originating from before the 6th century.

context information

Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Lodhra (लोध्र) is the name of a particular flower, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.3.6.—Accordingly, as Brahmā narrated to Nārada:—“[...] Menā bore the characteristic signs of pregnancy which almost indicated the imminent rise in pleasure of her lord and served as the auspicious cause for the future bliss of the gods. The weakness of her body did not allow her to wear ornaments. Her face became pale like the Lodhra flower [i.e., lodhra-saṃmukhā]. She resembled the night when there are very few stars and the moon is in a waning state. [...]”.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: archive.org: Economic Life In Ancient India (as depicted in Jain canonical literature)

Lodhra (लोध्र) refers to a kind of tree (vṛkṣa) commonly found in the forests (vaṇa) of ancient India, mentioned in the 1st century Uvavāiya-sutta (sanksrit: Aupapātika-sūtra). Forests have been a significant part of the Indian economy since ancient days. They have been considered essential for economic development in as much as, besides bestowing many geographical advantages, they provide basic materials for building, furniture and various industries. The most important forest products are wood and timber which have been used by the mankind to fulfil his various needs—domestic, agricultural and industrial.

Different kinds of trees (e.g., the Lodhra tree) provided firewood and timber. The latter was used for furniture, building materials, enclosures, staircases, pillars, agricultural purposes, e. g. for making ploughs, transportation e. g. for making carts, chariots, boats, ships, and for various industrial needs. Vaṇa-kamma was an occupation dealing in wood and in various otherforest products. Iṅgāla-kamma was another occupation which was concerned with preparing charcoal from firewood.

context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

Biology (plants and animals)

Source: Wisdom Library: Local Names of Plants and Drugs

Lodhra [लोध्र] in the Sanskrit language is the name of a plant identified with Symplocos cochinchinensis var. laurina (Retz.) Noot. from the Symplocaceae (Saphire-berry) family having the following synonyms: Symplocos laurina, Symplocos spicata, Symplocos terminalis. For the possible medicinal usage of lodhra, you can check this page for potential sources and references, although be aware that any some or none of the side-effects may not be mentioned here, wether they be harmful or beneficial to health.

Lodhra [लोधरा] in the Hindi language is the name of a plant identified with Symplocos racemosa Roxb. from the Symplocaceae (Saphire-berry) family having the following synonyms: Lodhra racemosa, Symplocos hamiltoniana, Symplocos nicobarica.

Lodhra [लोधरा] in the Marathi language, ibid. previous identification.

Lodhra in the Sanskrit language is the name of a plant identified with Symplocos paniculata Miq. from the Symplocaceae (Saphire-berry) family having the following synonyms: Cotoneaster coreanus, Symplocos sinica, Symplocos chinensis.

Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)

Lodhra in India is the name of a plant defined with Symplocos racemosa in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Dicalix propinqus (Hance) Migo (among others).

Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):

· Fl. China (1996)
· Das Pflanzenreich (1901)
· Flora Cochinchinensis (1790)
· Journal of the Shanghai Science Institute (1943)
· Journal of Botany, British and Foreign (1868)
· Sinensia (1934)

If you are looking for specific details regarding Lodhra, for example pregnancy safety, extract dosage, diet and recipes, chemical composition, side effects, health benefits, have a look at these references.

context information

This sections includes definitions from the five kingdoms of living things: Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists and Monera. It will include both the official binomial nomenclature (scientific names usually in Latin) as well as regional spellings and variants.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

lōdhra (लोध्र).—m (S) A tree, Symplocos racemosa. 2 n m Its bark.

context information

Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Lodhra (लोध्र).—(ruṇaddhi auṣṇyam rudh-ran Uṇādi-sūtra 2.27) Name of a tree with red or white flowers; Symplocos Racemosa; लोध्रद्रुमं सानुमतः प्रफुल्लम् (lodhradrumaṃ sānumataḥ praphullam) R.2.29; मुखेन सालक्ष्यत लोध्र-पाण्डुना (mukhena sālakṣyata lodhra-pāṇḍunā) 3.2; Kumārasambhava 7.9.

Derivable forms: lodhraḥ (लोध्रः).

[Sanskrit to German]

Lodhra in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Lōdhra (ಲೋಧ್ರ):—

1) [noun] the tree Symplocos racemosa of Sympolocaceae family; the lodh tree.

2) [noun] another tree Symplocos laurina of the same family.

3) [noun] another tree Symplocos spicata of the same family.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

Nepali dictionary

Source: unoes: Nepali-English Dictionary

Lodhra (लोध्र):—n. Bot. lodhra tree;

context information

Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.

Relevant text

Search found 50 books and stories containing Lodhra, Lōdhra; (plurals include: Lodhras, Lōdhras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Flora (5): Trees < [Chapter 5 - Aspects of Nature]

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Section XXI < [Jarasandha-badha Parva]

Section CCIX < [Viduragamana Parva]

Section LXIV < [Nalopakhyana Parva]

+ 1 more chapters / show preview

1.12. Use of Lodhra < [Chapter 1 - Cosmetics]

2.10. Pharmaceutical use of Powders < [Chapter 1 - Cosmetics]

1. Materials for Cosmetics (Introduction) < [Chapter 1 - Cosmetics]

+ 6 more chapters / show preview

Conceptual study of the efficacy of lodhra with honey gel in upapluta yoniyapad (vaginal candidiasis in pregnancy) < [2021, Issue 2, February]

Lodhra and pippali in the management of garbha chalana w.s.r. to premature uterine contractions < [2019, Issue 8, August]