Witnessed by: Ayurveda · Unani
Chir pine (Pinus roxburghii), of the Pinaceae family. Large pine with reddish fissured bark and very long drooping needles in threes; native range: the outer and middle Himalaya across northern India and Nepal at moderate elevation. Globally recognized as sarala; srivasa (the resin) in Sanskrit, chir, saral in Hindi, sanaubar (صنوبر) in Arabic, and chir pine, longleaf Indian pine in English. The part used is oleoresin, heartwood and distilled turpentine. Sticky pale oleoresin with a sharp turpentine scent, hardening to brittle amber tears.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
CHIR PINE
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- Chir pine
- Scientific name
- Pinus roxburghii Sarg.
- Family
- Pinaceae
Form
- Part used
- oleoresin, heartwood and distilled turpentine
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Ayurveda
- pungent · bitter
- Unani
- pungent · bitter
Temperature
- Ayurveda
- heating (ushna)
- Unani
- hot & dry (2nd degree)
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Unani
- skin · joints · lungs · nerves
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Ayurveda
- kapha-vata-hara, krimighna (antiparasitic), vrana-shodhana-ropana (cleanses and heals wounds), vedanasthapana (analgesic), kushtaghna (against skin disease)
- Unani
- muhallil (resolvent), jali (detergent), mundamil-e-qurooh (wound healer), muharrik (rubefacient stimulant), musakkin-e-alam (analgesic)
Cautions
- Contraindications
- hot inflamed skin conditions and high pitta; internal turpentine only in small guarded doses
- Toxicity
- turpentine oil is irritant and, in excess, injures the kidneys
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