Cordia Myxa – Cordia obliqua – Sapistan: Overview
Introduction
Cordia Obliqua, Cordia myxa, commonly known as the Assyrian plum, Lasura, Sapistan or Indian cherry, is a species of flowering plant in the borage family, Boraginaceae. It is native to a wide range of regions from Africa, the Middle East, to South Asia. Cordia myxa is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 10 meters in height. The tree has a spreading canopy and rough, grayish bark. The leaves are ovate, simple, and alternately arranged, with a rough texture. The plant produces small, white to pinkish flowers in clusters, which are often fragrant and attract pollinators like bees. The tree bears small, globose to ovoid drupes that are yellowish-brown when ripe. These fruits are mucilaginous and sweet, often consumed fresh or used in traditional medicine and culinary practices.
Botanical Name:
Cordia obliqua Willd. var. obliqua, Cordia Myxa, Cordia Dichotoma, Cordia Latifolia
Family:
Boraginaceae
Urdu Name:
Sapistan, Lasora, Sabistan
English Name:
Sebestan plum
Parts Used:
Fruit.
Temperament
Cold + Wet
Order:
1st order.
Geographical Source:
Africa, Asia, India, Pakistan.
Organoleptic Evaluation:
Colour:
Whole herb: Light brown to greyish brown.
Powder: light yellowish brown to brown .
Odor: Nutty, Earthy and herbal undertones.
Taste: Slightly nutty and earthy flavours , bitter.
Texture:
Whole herb: Rough, fibrous and crunchy.
Powder: Fine and smooth.
Pharmacological Actions / Functions:
Demulcent
Aperient
lubricant and tonic
Expectorant
Refrigerant for warm temperatures.
Specific Action:
Valuable expectorant for (dry) cough.
Chemical Constituent:
Alkaloids
Flavonoids
Hentricontanol
Hentricontane
Betulin
Octacosanol
lupeol-3-rhamnoside,
Beta-sitosterol
Beta-sitosterol-3-glucoside,
Taxifolin-3
5-dirhamnoside and hesperetin-7-rhamnoside
Phenolics
Tannins.
Mode of action:
1-Anti asthmatic activity:
Flavonoids ( quercetin, kaempferol) relieves bronchospasm, reducing asthma symptoms. It inhibits PDE ( phosphodiesterase) that reduces bronchial smooth muscles contraction, relieving bronchospasm. Sapistan helps to relax bronchial smooth muscles in lungs , reducing bronchospasm and inflammation, improving air flow or reducing wheezing.
2-Antianxiety activity:
Alkaloids ( Cordiamine) consistent of Sapistan, exhibits anxiolytic effects , reducing anxiety and stress . It inhibits GABA-T , increases GABA levels, promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety, helps to regulate mood. Sapistan may reduces stress-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in PNS ( peripheral nervous system)
Medicinal Uses:
- Sapistan is a useful aperient for thoracic region.
- Emollient for pharynx and larynx and expectorant of phlegm and relevant catarrhs. Relieves the heat of (yellow) bile, added to the purgatives as corrective (corrigent) to lessen their heat.
- In bilious affections, dry cough, flu of warm origin, roughness (hoarseness) in pharynx and chest its mucilage is either taken directly or its infusion is made.
- It alleviates thirst and reduces irritation of urinary passages, clears the blood of extra phlegmatic stuff, irritation in alimentary canal and fever in hot season.
- Generally prescribed in bronchitis, phthisis, and in dry cough. Recommended for use in general debility and convalescence
Compound Preparation:
Laooq Sapistan
Joshanda
Dayaquza
Safuf Habis
Laooq
Sapistan Khiyar Shanbari
Itrifal Zamani
Sherbet Arzani
Sherbet Zufah Murakkab
Sherbet Shafa
Arq Hara Bhara.
Dosage:
9 to 15 Nos.
Corrigent:
Zizyphus jujuba Linn. (Unnab) and leaves of Rosa
damascena Mill. (Gulab).
Tenedium:
Althaea officinalis Linn. (Khatmi), Cordia rothii Roen &
Schult, C. dichotoma Forst. and C. gharaf (Forssk.) Ehren.
are also used in place of C. latifolia Roxb.
Side Effects:
Generally no known toxicity reported following the use of prescribed doses for recommended duration. However, described on long-term use as harmful in slowing down the process of digestion in stomach and liver.
2- For Respiratory Diseases:
(Cough, Asthma, Common cold etc)
Joshanda / Syrup
Cordia Myxa (Sapistan) 20g
Licorice (Mulethi) 20g
Fennel (Sanoof) 10g
Jujube (Unab) 20g
Violet (Benafsha) 20g
Ephedra (Soma kalpa) 20g
Hyssopus (zofa) 10g
Althaea Officinalis (Khatmi) 10g
Mix all ingredients and make a syrup or joshanda.
Conclusion:
Cordia Obliqua, Cordia myxa, commonly known as Assyrian plum or Lasura, Spaistan is a tree native to the tropics and subtropics. It is valued for its fruit, which is edible and often used in traditional medicine and culinary practices. The tree also has various environmental benefits, including soil stabilization and providing shade. Its medicinal properties, such as anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, make it an important plant in ethnobotany. The cultivation and preservation of Cordia myxa can contribute to biodiversity and offer sustainable agricultural and medicinal resources.