Pilu — Toothbrush Tree

Ayurvedic herb Pilu (Salvadora persica) — Toothbrush Tree. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Katu, Tikta, Virya Ushna, Vipaka Katu. Balances Kapha, Vata.

Ayurvedic Herbs A–Z 1 min read
This content is for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional.

The toothbrush tree (Salvadora persica) is used for oral hygiene, improving digestion, and reducing swelling.

ⓘ Information
PropertyValueDescription
RasaKatu, TiktaKatu (Pungent) — stimulates digestion, circulation, expectorant; Tikta (Bitter) — detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic
GunaLaghu, TikshnaLaghu (Light) — easy to digest, promotes lightness; Tikshna (Sharp) — penetrating, stimulating
ViryaUshnaUshna (Hot) — heating, increases metabolism and Pitta
VipakaKatuKatu (Pungent) — post-digestive pungent, lightening
PrabhavaDeepana, ShothaharaDeepana — kindles digestive fire without digesting ama; Shothahara — anti-inflammatory, reduces swelling

Sanskrit Synonyms

In the classical Ayurvedic texts, Pilu is known by the following Sanskrit names:

Gudaphala, Sransi, Sheetaphala, Virechana

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Pilu are: phala, patra, moola twak.

Main Indications

Pilu is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Gulma, Udararoga, Arsha, Anaha, Mukharoga.

Dosha Effects

Pilu pacifies Kapha, Vata.

It may aggravate Pitta when used in excess or in sensitive individuals.

Usage

Pilu is used in classical Ayurvedic formulations. Consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner for appropriate dosage and preparation based on your constitution (Prakriti) and current imbalance (Vikriti).

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API)

Source: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India — Government of India, Ministry of AYUSH

Rasa (Taste)Madhura, Tikta, Kauu
Guna (Quality)Laghu, Snigdha, Tikṣḍa
Virya (Potency)Uṣḍa
Vipaka (Post-digestive effect)Kauu
Karma (Action)V¡tahara, Kaphahara, Bhedana, Virecana, śothahara, Vedan¡sth¡pana, śirovirecaka, Dipana, Vid¡hi, Ras¡yana
Dose3-6 g
Therapeutic Uses: Gulma, A¿mari, Mūtrakrcchra, Jvara, Sarpaviṣa, Ar¿a, Bastivik¡ra,
Important Formulations: Mi¿raka Sneha
Botanical Name: Salvadora persica Linn. (Salvadoraceae)
Part Used: Fr

Therapeutic Uses (IMPPAT Database)

Source: Indian Medicinal Plants, Phytochemistry And Therapeutics (IMPPAT) v1.0 — CC BY 4.0

Part UsedTherapeutic UseIdentifiersReferences
barkAmenorrheaMESH:D000568,UMLS:C0002453, DOID:13938, ICD-11:GA20.0ISBN:9788172363093
barkFeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:9788172361150
barkMenstruation-inducing agentsMESH:D008600,UMLS:C0025346ISBN:9780387706375
barkStomach diseasesMESH:D013272,UMLS:C0038354, DOID:76, ICD-11:DA4YISBN:9788173717062
flowerLaxativesMESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3ISBN:9788172361150
flowerGeneral tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016ISBN:9788172361150
fruitAmenorrheaMESH:D000568,UMLS:C0002453, DOID:13938, ICD-11:GA20.0ISBN:9788172361266
fruitAntirheumatic agentsMESH:D018501,UMLS:C0003191, ICD-11:XM95N2ISBN:9780387706375
fruitAphrodisiacsMESH:D001046,UMLS:C0003567ISBN:9788173717062
fruitAppetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788173717062
fruitCatharticsMESH:D002400,UMLS:C0007422, ICD-11:XM6GE9ISBN:9788172361150
fruitDiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06A Report On Medicinal Plants Of Kachchh (Gujarat), ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788172361266
fruitDisorder of ejaculationUMLS:C0235969ISBN:9788173717062
fruitEmollientsMESH:D004643,UMLS:C0013983, ICD-11:XM1C59ISBN:9788173717062
fruitFeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:9788172361266
fruitFlatulenceMESH:D005414,UMLS:C0016204, ICD-11:ME08ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788172361266
fruitInfectionMESH:D007239,UMLS:C3714514, ICD-11:1H0ZISBN:9788173717062
fruitLaxativesMESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3A Report On Medicinal Plants Of Kachchh (Gujarat)
fruitGeneral tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016ISBN:9788172361266
fruitSplenomegalyMESH:D013163,UMLS:C0038002, ICD-11:ME10.01ISBN:9780387706375
fruitStomach diseasesMESH:D013272,UMLS:C0038354, DOID:76, ICD-11:DA4YISBN:9788173717062
fruitUrinary bladder calculiMESH:D001744,UMLS:C0005683, ICD-11:GB71.0ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361150
fruitDeobstruentISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788172361266
leafAnthelminticsMESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0ISBN:9788173717062
leafAntidotesMESH:D000931,UMLS:C0003295, ICD-11:XM1S43ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788172361266
leafAntirheumatic agentsMESH:D018501,UMLS:C0003191, ICD-11:XM95N2A Report On Medicinal Plants Of Kachchh (Gujarat), ISBN:9788172361266
leafAsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788173717062
leafBronchitisMESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20ISBN:9788173717062
leafCoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9788173717062
leafDiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9788173717062
leafExpectorantsMESH:D005100,UMLS:C0015314ISBN:9788173717062
leafHemorrhageMESH:D006470,UMLS:C0019080, ICD-11:MG27ISBN:9788173717062
leafNeoplasmsMESH:D009369,UMLS:C0027651, DOID:162, ICD-11:2E2ZISBN:9788173717062
leafScurvyMESH:D012614,UMLS:C0036474, DOID:13724, ICD-11:5B56.0A Report On Medicinal Plants Of Kachchh (Gujarat), ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788173717062
rootMenstruation-inducing agentsMESH:D008600,UMLS:C0025346ISBN:9788173717062
rootSimplexvirusMESH:D018139,UMLS:C0206558ISBN:9788172363093
rootSplenic diseasesMESH:D013158,UMLS:C0037997, DOID:2529, ICD-11:3B8ZISBN:9788173717062
rootUrinary bladder calculiMESH:D001744,UMLS:C0005683, ICD-11:GB71.0ISBN:9788172361150
seedAntirheumatic agentsMESH:D018501,UMLS:C0003191, ICD-11:XM95N2ISBN:9788172361150
seedCatharticsMESH:D002400,UMLS:C0007422, ICD-11:XM6GE9ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361150
seedDiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361150
seedGeneral tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016ISBN:9788172361150
shootAntidotesMESH:D000931,UMLS:C0003295, ICD-11:XM1S43ISBN:9788172361266
shootBronchitisMESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20ISBN:9788173717062
shootCoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9788173717062
AmenorrheaMESH:D000568,UMLS:C0002453, DOID:13938, ICD-11:GA20.0ISBN:9788172361150
Anti-bacterial agentsMESH:D000900,UMLS:C0279516, ICD-11:XM8XH0ISBN:9780387706375
Anti-inflammatory agentsMESH:D000893,UMLS:C0003209, ICD-11:XM7XD1ISBN:9780387706375
Antirheumatic agentsMESH:D018501,UMLS:C0003191, ICD-11:XM95N2ISBN:9788172361150
AsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9788172361150
CoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9788172361150
GonorrheaMESH:D006069,UMLS:C0018081, DOID:7551, ICD-11:1A7ZISBN:9788172361150
HemorrhoidsMESH:D006484,UMLS:C0019112, DOID:9746, ICD-11:DB60.ZISBN:9788172361150
LeprosyMESH:D007918,UMLS:C0023343, DOID:1024, ICD-11:1B20ISBN:9788172361150
LithiasisMESH:D020347,UMLS:C0023869ISBN:9788172361150
NeoplasmsMESH:D009369,UMLS:C0027651, DOID:162, ICD-11:2E2ZISBN:9788172361150
General tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016ISBN:9788172361150
Rheumatic diseasesMESH:D012216,UMLS:C0035435, DOID:1575ISBN:9788172361150
ScurvyMESH:D012614,UMLS:C0036474, DOID:13724, ICD-11:5B56.0ISBN:9788172361150
SplenomegalyMESH:D013163,UMLS:C0038002, ICD-11:ME10.01ISBN:9788172361150