Shaka — Teak Tree

Ayurvedic herb Shaka (Tectona grandis) — Teak Tree. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Kashaya, Virya Sheeta, Vipaka Katu. Balances Pitta, Kapha.

Ayurvedic Herbs A–Z 1 min read

Teak (Tectona grandis) wood is used for its cooling and astringent properties, helpful in skin and bleeding disorders.

ⓘ Information

Property	Value	Description
Rasa	Kashaya	Kashaya (Astringent) — drying, absorbent, wound-healing
Guna	Laghu, Ruksha	Laghu (Light) — easy to digest, promotes lightness; Ruksha (Dry) — absorbs moisture, drying
Virya	Sheeta	Sheeta (Cold) — cooling, decreases Pitta and inflammation
Vipaka	Katu	Katu (Pungent) — post-digestive pungent, lightening
Prabhava	Grahi, Kushtaghna	Grahi — absorbent, improves assimilation, stops diarrhea; Kushtaghna — treats skin diseases

Sanskrit Synonyms

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

Kharapatra, Bhumisaha, Varadaru

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Shaka are: kandasara, patra.

Main Indications

Shaka is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Raktapitta, Prameha, Kushta, Medoroga, Daha.

Dosha Effects

Shaka pacifies Pitta, Kapha.

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

Usage

Shaka 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)Kaṣ¡ya 253

Guna (Quality)Laghu, Rūkṣa

Virya (Potency)śita

Vipaka (Post-digestive effect)Kauu

Karma (Action)Pittahara, Kaphahara, Raktapras¡dana, Garbhasthairyakara

Dose3 - 6 g of the drug in powder form

Therapeutic Uses: Kuṣuha, Raktapitta, Mūtraroga, P¡ḍtu, Prameha, Medoroga, D¡ha,

Important Formulations: Ayaskrti

Botanical Name: Tectona grandis Linn.

Part Used: Ht.Wd.

Therapeutic Uses (IMPPAT Database)

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

Part Used	Therapeutic Use	Identifiers	References
bark	Anthelmintics	MESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0	ISBN:9788173717062, ISBN:9789327275590
bark	Anti-inflammatory agents	MESH:D000893,UMLS:C0003209, ICD-11:XM7XD1	ISBN:9789327275590
bark	Astringents	MESH:D001252,UMLS:C0004110, ICD-11:XM0VK6	ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9789327275590, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
bark	Bronchitis	MESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20	ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717062, ISBN:9789327275590
bark	Diabetes mellitus	MESH:D003920,UMLS:C0011849, DOID:9351, ICD-11:5A14	ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717062
bark	Diuretics	MESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06	ISBN:9789327275590
bark	Dysentery	MESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.Z	ISBN:9788173717062
bark	Edema	MESH:D004487,UMLS:C0013604, ICD-11:MG29.1	ISBN:9789327275590
bark	Expectorants	MESH:D005100,UMLS:C0015314	ISBN:9789327275590
bark	Gastrointestinal diseases	MESH:D005767,UMLS:C0017178, DOID:77, ICD-11:DE2Z	ISBN:9788173717062
bark	Leprosy	MESH:D007918,UMLS:C0023343, DOID:1024, ICD-11:1B20	ISBN:9788173717062
bark	Pain	MESH:D010146,UMLS:C0030193, ICD-11:MG3Z	ISBN:9788173717062
bark	Scabies	MESH:D012532,UMLS:C0036262, DOID:8295, ICD-11:1G04	ISBN:9789327275590
bark	Skin diseases	MESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0Z	ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717062, ISBN:9789327275590
bark	Urinary bladder diseases	MESH:D001745,UMLS:C0005686, DOID:365	ISBN:9789327275590
bark	Vomiting	MESH:D014839,UMLS:C0042963, ICD-11:MD90.1	ISBN:9789327275590
flower	Anthelmintics	MESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0	ISBN:9789327275590
flower	Anti-inflammatory agents	MESH:D000893,UMLS:C0003209, ICD-11:XM7XD1	ISBN:9789327275590
flower	Astringents	MESH:D001252,UMLS:C0004110, ICD-11:XM0VK6	ISBN:9789327275590
flower	Bronchitis	MESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20	ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9789327275590
flower	Diabetes mellitus	MESH:D003920,UMLS:C0011849, DOID:9351, ICD-11:5A14	ISBN:9788173717062
flower	Diuretics	MESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06	ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788173717062, ISBN:9789327275590, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
flower	Edema	MESH:D004487,UMLS:C0013604, ICD-11:MG29.1	ISBN:9789327275590
flower	Expectorants	MESH:D005100,UMLS:C0015314	ISBN:9789327275590
flower	Inflammation	MESH:D007249,UMLS:C0021368	ISBN:9788173717062
flower	Leprosy	MESH:D007918,UMLS:C0023343, DOID:1024, ICD-11:1B20	ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717062
flower	Pain	MESH:D010146,UMLS:C0030193, ICD-11:MG3Z	ISBN:9788173717062
flower	Scabies	MESH:D012532,UMLS:C0036262, DOID:8295, ICD-11:1G04	ISBN:9789327275590
flower	Skin diseases	MESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0Z	ISBN:9788173717062, ISBN:9789327275590
flower	Stomatitis	MESH:D013280,UMLS:C0038362, DOID:9637, ICD-11:DA01	ISBN:9788173717062
flower	Thirst	MESH:D013894	ISBN:9788173717062
flower	Urinary bladder diseases	MESH:D001745,UMLS:C0005686, DOID:365	ISBN:9789327275590
flower	Urination disorders	MESH:D014555,UMLS:C0042035, ICD-11:GB0Y	ISBN:9788173717062
flower	Vomiting	MESH:D014839,UMLS:C0042963, ICD-11:MD90.1	ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9789327275590
fruit	Hair loss	MESH:D000505,UMLS:C0002170, DOID:987, ICD-11:ED70	ISBN:9788172361266, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
fruit	Antipruritics	MESH:D000982,UMLS:C0003417, ICD-11:EC90	ISBN:9788173717062
fruit	Diuretics	MESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06	ISBN:9788173717062
fruit	Scabies	MESH:D012532,UMLS:C0036262, DOID:8295, ICD-11:1G04	ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788172361266, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
fruit	Skin diseases	MESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0Z	ISBN:9780387706375
fruit	Stomatitis	MESH:D013280,UMLS:C0038362, DOID:9637, ICD-11:DA01	ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717062
fruit	Urinary bladder calculi	MESH:D001744,UMLS:C0005683, ICD-11:GB71.0	ISBN:9788173717062
fruit	Urination disorders	MESH:D014555,UMLS:C0042035, ICD-11:GB0Y	ISBN:9788173717062
leaf	Anti-inflammatory agents	MESH:D000893,UMLS:C0003209, ICD-11:XM7XD1	ISBN:9788173717062
leaf	Antipruritics	MESH:D000982,UMLS:C0003417, ICD-11:EC90	ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717062
leaf	Hemoptysis	MESH:D006469,UMLS:C0019079, ICD-11:MD22	ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717062
leaf	Hemorrhage	MESH:D006470,UMLS:C0019080, ICD-11:MG27	ISBN:9788173717062
leaf	Hemostasis	MESH:D006487,UMLS:C0019116	ISBN:9788173717062
leaf	Leprosy	MESH:D007918,UMLS:C0023343, DOID:1024, ICD-11:1B20	ISBN:9788173717062
leaf	Skin diseases	MESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0Z	ISBN:9788173717062
leaf	Stomatitis	MESH:D013280,UMLS:C0038362, DOID:9637, ICD-11:DA01	ISBN:9788173717062
leaf	Ulcer	MESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582	ISBN:9788173717062
leaf	Wound healing	MESH:D014945,UMLS:C0043240	ISBN:9788173717062
root	Anuria	MESH:D001002,UMLS:C0003460, DOID:2983, ICD-11:MF51	ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788173717062
root	Scorpion stings	MESH:D065008,UMLS:C0238417, ICD-11:NE61	ISBN:9788172363093
root	Snake bites	MESH:D012909,UMLS:C0037379	ISBN:9788172363093
root	Urinary retention	MESH:D016055,UMLS:C0080274, ICD-11:MF50.3	ISBN:9788172361150
seed	Antifungal agents	MESH:D000935,UMLS:C0003308, ICD-11:XM83G4	ISBN:9788171360536
seed	Antipruritics	MESH:D000982,UMLS:C0003417, ICD-11:EC90	ISBN:9788173717062
seed	Diuretics	MESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06	ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788173717062, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
seed	Eczema	MESH:D004485,UMLS:C0013595	ISBN:9788171360536
seed	Emollients	MESH:D004643,UMLS:C0013983, ICD-11:XM1C59	ISBN:9788173717062
seed	Skin diseases	MESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0Z	ISBN:9788173717062
seed	Urination disorders	MESH:D014555,UMLS:C0042035, ICD-11:GB0Y	ISBN:9788173717062
wood	Abortifacient agents	MESH:D000019,UMLS:C0000782, ICD-11:JA00.1	ISBN:9788173717062
wood	Analgesics	MESH:D000700,UMLS:C0002771, ICD-11:XM49F7	ISBN:9788173717062
wood	Anthelmintics	MESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0	ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788173717062
wood	Anti-inflammatory agents	MESH:D000893,UMLS:C0003209, ICD-11:XM7XD1	ISBN:9780387706375
wood	Antiparasitic agents	MESH:D000977,UMLS:C4708129, ICD-11:XM37L1	ISBN:9780387706375
wood	Arthritis	MESH:D001168,UMLS:C0003864, DOID:848, ICD-11:FA2Z	ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717062
wood	Astringents	MESH:D001252,UMLS:C0004110, ICD-11:XM0VK6	ISBN:9788172361150
wood	Cough	MESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12	ISBN:9788173717062
wood	Diuretics	MESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06	ISBN:9788172361150
wood	Dysentery	MESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.Z	ISBN:9788171360536
wood	Dyspepsia	MESH:D004415,UMLS:C0013395, ICD-11:DD90.3	ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788173717062
wood	Edema	MESH:D004487,UMLS:C0013604, ICD-11:MG29.1	ISBN:9788172361266
wood	Expectorants	MESH:D005100,UMLS:C0015314	ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788173717062
wood	Eye diseases	MESH:D005128,UMLS:C0015397, DOID:5614, ICD-11:9E1Z	ISBN:9788173717062
wood	Eyelid diseases	MESH:D005141,UMLS:C0015423, DOID:530	ISBN:9788172361266
wood	Flatulence	MESH:D005414,UMLS:C0016204, ICD-11:ME08	ISBN:9788173717062
wood	Gastritis	MESH:D005756,UMLS:C0017152, DOID:4029, ICD-11:DA42	ISBN:9788172361266
wood	Gastrointestinal diseases	MESH:D005767,UMLS:C0017178, DOID:77, ICD-11:DE2Z	ISBN:9788173717062
wood	Headache	MESH:D006261,UMLS:C0018681, ICD-11:8A81.Z	ISBN:9788172361266
wood	Hypnotics and sedatives	MESH:D006993,UMLS:C0020592, ICD-11:XM3GR8	ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788173717062
wood	Inflammation	MESH:D007249,UMLS:C0021368	ISBN:9788173717062
wood	Laxatives	MESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3	ISBN:9788173717062
wood	Leprosy	MESH:D007918,UMLS:C0023343, DOID:1024, ICD-11:1B20	ISBN:9788173717062
wood	Leukorrhea	MESH:D007973,UMLS:C0023533, DOID:3766, ICD-11:MF3A	ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717062
wood	Liver injury	MESH:D008099,UMLS:C0160390, ICD-11:NB91.1	ISBN:9788172361150
wood	Menorrhagia	MESH:D008595,UMLS:C0025323, ICD-11:GA20.50	ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717062
wood	Neuralgia	MESH:D009437,UMLS:C0027796, ICD-11:MG30.5Z	ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717062
wood	Pruritus	MESH:D011537,UMLS:C0033774, ICD-11:EC90	Glimpses Of Medico-Botany Of Bastar District (M.P.)
wood	General tonic for rejuvenation	MESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016	ISBN:9788172361150
wood	Skin diseases	MESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0Z	ISBN:9788173717062
wood	Vitiligo	MESH:D014820,UMLS:C0042900, DOID:12306, ICD-11:ED63.0	ISBN:9788173717062
wood	Cooling effect on body	UMLS:C0678568	ISBN:9788172361150
	Antifungal agents	MESH:D000935,UMLS:C0003308, ICD-11:XM83G4	ISBN:9788173717062
	Dyspepsia	MESH:D004415,UMLS:C0013395, ICD-11:DD90.3	ISBN:9788172361150
	Eczema	MESH:D004485,UMLS:C0013595	ISBN:9788173717062
	Edema	MESH:D004487,UMLS:C0013604, ICD-11:MG29.1	ISBN:9788172361150
	Eyelid diseases	MESH:D005141,UMLS:C0015423, DOID:530	ISBN:9788172361150
	Toothache	MESH:D014098,UMLS:C0040460, ICD-11:DA0A.Y	ISBN:9788172361150