Parmelia Perlata / Shaileya / Stone Flowers – Medicinal Properties

Abstract

Shaileya (Parmelia perlata), commonly known as Stone Flower, is an important Ayurvedic medicinal lichen traditionally valued for its aromatic, antimicrobial, and therapeutic attributes. It naturally grows on rocks, tree bark, and mountainous surfaces and is well described in classical Ayurvedic texts for managing Kapha- and Vata-dominant disorders. Shaileya is especially useful in respiratory conditions such as cough, asthma, and bronchial congestion, as well as in digestive disturbances related to Ama (endotoxins) and weak Agni (Digestive fire). Its anti-inflammatory and cleansing actions further support skin and oral health. Let’s study this remarkable Ayurvedic medicinal lichen in detail to understand its classical significance, Ayurvedic properties, and therapeutic applications.

Classical Reference Of Shaileya (Parmelia Perlata)

Bhavprakash Nighantu Karpooradi Varga Page No 232

Scientific Classification Of Shaileya (Parmelia Perlata)

Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Lecanoromycetes
Order: Lecanorales
Family: Parmeliaceae
Genus: Parmelia
Species: perlata

Synonyms Of Shaileya (Parmelia Perlata)

Palita: Grayish or hoary appearance.
Vrddha: Old or mature looking.
Jirna: Withered or weathered texture.
Kalanusaryaka: Seasonal or time-following.
Sthavira: Ancient, firm, or steady.
Siladadru: Rock-crust (resembling a skin eruption on stone).
Silapuspa: Stone flower.
Silodbhava: Produced from or born of rock.

Vernacular Names Of Shaileya (Parmelia Perlata)

Sanskrit: Shaileya
Hindi: Chharila, Phool Patthar
English: Stone Flower
Tamil: Kalpasi
Telugu: Rathi Poovu
Kannada: Kalpasi
Malayalam: Kalpasi
Marathi: Dagad Phool
Bengali: Shila Phool
Gujarati: Dagad Phool
Punjabi: Pathar Phool
Urdu: Chharila

Habitat Of Shaileya (Parmelia Perlata)

It is a naturally occurring lichen that grows on rocks, stones, and tree bark in clean, unpolluted environments. It thrives in cool to moderate climatic conditions with adequate humidity and good air circulation. The lichen is commonly found in hilly and mountainous regions, particularly in the Himalayas, Western Ghats, and other elevated areas of India. Shaileya is also distributed in parts of Asia, Europe, and North America. It prefers shaded or partially shaded locations and develops slowly by forming a symbiotic association between fungi and algae.

Morphology Of Shaileya (Parmelia Perlata)

It is a lichenous plant body (thallus) and does not possess true roots, stems, or leaves like higher plants. Its morphology can be described part-wise as follows:

1. Thallus

The thallus is foliose (leaf-like), flattened, and irregularly lobed, measuring a few centimeters in diameter. It is greyish-green to pale brown in color with a leathery and rough texture. The margins are wavy and uneven, giving it a spread-out appearance over the substrate.

2. Upper Surface

The upper surface is smooth to slightly wrinkled and dry, with a dull grey or greenish hue. It may appear brittle when completely dry.

3. Lower Surface

The lower surface is darker in color, often blackish or brown, and bears rhizine-like structures that help the lichen firmly attach to rocks or tree bark.

4. Attachment Structures

Instead of true roots, Shaileya uses rhizines for anchorage to stones, rocks, or bark.

5. Odour And Texture

When dry, it has a mild aromatic smell; on soaking or boiling, it softens and releases a characteristic medicinal fragrance.

This distinctive morphology supports its identification as a medicinal lichen in Ayurvedic pharmacognosy.

Classical Categorisation Of Shaileya (Parmelia Perlata)

Bhavaprakasha: Karpooradi Varga
Dhanvantari Nighantu: Chandanadi Varga

Ancient Verses For Shaileya (Parmelia Perlata)

1. Verse No. 1

शैलेयं पलितं वृद्धं जीर्णं कालानुसार्यकम् ।
स्थविरं च शिलादद्रु शिलापुष्पं शिलोद्भवम् ॥

Dhanwanathari Nighantu Chandanadi Varga Verse No. 72

According to the above verse, Shaileya has the following synonyms:

Palita: Literally means “grayed” or “hoary,” referring to the grayish-white color of the lichen.
Vrddha: Means “old” or “aged,” describing its wrinkled and mature appearance.
Jirna: Means “withered” or “decrepit,” referencing the dry, weathered texture.
Kalanusaryaka: Refers to something that “follows time” or changes with the seasons.
Sthavira: Means “ancient” or “firm,” signifying long-lasting nature and firm attachment to stones.
Siladadru: Literally “Stone-leprosy” or “Stone-skin-disease,” resembling crust on rocks.
Silapuspa: Means “Stone-flower” (Sila = stone, Pushpa = flower).
Silodbhava: Means “born from stone” or “produced from rock.”

2. Verse No. 2

शैलेयकं हिमं प्रोक्तं दाहजिद्विषनाशनम् ।
रक्तदोषहरं चैव कण्डूनिर्मूलनं स्मृतम् ॥
शैलेयं तित्तकं शीतं सुगन्धि कफपित्तजित् ।
दाहतृष्णावमिश्रासव्रणदोषविनाशनम् ॥

Dhanwanathari Nighantu Chandanadi Varga Verse No. 72

According to the above verse, Shaileya has the following properties:

Himam / Sheetam: Cooling in nature.
Dahajit: Relieves burning sensations.
Visha-nashanam: Destroys toxins/poisoning.
Rakta-dosha-haram: Treats blood disorders.
Kandunirmulanam: Eradicates itching (pruritus).
Tittakam: Bitter in taste.
Sugandhi: Fragrant/aromatic.
Kapha-pitta-jit: Pacifies Kapha and Pitta doshas.
Trshna-vami-shvasa-vrana-vinashanam: Treats thirst, vomiting, asthma, and ulcers.

3. Verse No. 3

शैलेयन्तु शिलापुष्पं वृद्धं कालानुसार्यकम् ॥
शैलेयं शीतलं हृद्यं कफपित्तहरं लघु।
कण्डूकुष्ठाश्मरीदाहविषहृद् गुदरक्तहृत् ॥

Bhavprakash Nighantu Karpooradi Varga Verse No. 90-91

The verse identifies the synonyms and medicinal properties of Shaileya (commonly known as Bhurichharila or Chharila):

Synonyms: Shaileya, Shilapushpa, Vriddha, and Kalanusaryaka.
Properties (Guna): Sheetala (Cooling), Laghu (Light to digest), Hridya (Good for the heart).

Benefits:

Helps in pacifying Kapha and Pitta doshas.
Effective against:

Kandu: Itching
Kushtha: Skin diseases
Ashmari: Urinary stones
Daha: Burning sensations
Visha: Toxins/Poison
Guda-rakta: Bleeding from the rectum (Piles/Hemorrhoids)

Ayurvedic Properties Of Shaileya (Parmelia Perlata)

Rasa (Taste): Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent)
Guna (Qualities): Laghu (Light for digestion), Snigdha (Unctuous)
Vipaka (Post Digestion Effect): Katu (Pungent)
Veerya (Potency): Sheeta (Cold)

Action On Tridosha Of Shaileya (Parmelia Perlata)

Reduces vitiated Kapha and Pitta dosha

Therapeutic Indications Of Shaileya (Parmelia Perlata)

Visha (Toxic conditions / Poisoning)
Daha (Burning sensation)
Asra (Blood disorders)
Kandu (Itching / Pruritus)
Kushta (Skin diseases)
Ashmari (Kidney and bladder stones)
Vami (Vomiting / Nausea)
Shwasa (Respiratory disorders)
Vrana (Ulcers / Wounds)
Jvara (Fever)
Bhagna (Fractures)
Upadamsha (Soft chancre / Wounds)
Netraroga (Eye disorders)
Mukharoga (Oral diseases)
Yakshma (Tuberculosis / Chronic wasting)
Vatavyadhi (Vata-related disorders)

Systemic Actions Of Shaileya (Parmelia Perlata)

Respiratory System: Pacifies Kapha-Pitta, helps in cough, asthma, bronchial congestion, clears mucus, reduces inflammation, supports easier breathing.
Digestive System: Stimulates Agni, relieves indigestion, bloating, Ama accumulation, promotes proper nutrient absorption.
Cardiovascular System: Strengthens heart, supports cardiac muscle function, mild cardiac tonic.
Urinary System: Supports urinary discomfort, burning micturition, minor renal calculi.
Skin and Tissue Health: Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial, supports wound healing, skin disorders, tissue repair.
General Strength and Immunity: Acts as Rasayana, improves strength, vitality, systemic balance.

Chemical Composition Of Shaileya (Parmelia Perlata)

Thallus / Whole Lichen (Medicinally Used Part):

Usnic acid
Atranorin
Lecanoric acid
Salazinic acid
Chloroatranorin
Phenolic compounds
Dibenzofuran derivatives

Actions And Properties Of Various Chemical Constituents Of Shaileya (Parmelia Perlata)

Usnic Acid: Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, supports wound healing
Atranorin: Antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, photoprotective
Lecanoric Acid: Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, supports digestive and respiratory health
Salazinic Acid: Antioxidant, antimicrobial, reduces oxidative stress
Chloroatranorin: Antimicrobial, supports skin and oral health
Phenolic Compounds: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, tissue-protective
Dibenzofuran Derivatives: Antimicrobial, anticancer potential, antioxidant

Practical Uses / Health Benefits Of Shaileya (Parmelia Perlata)

Relieves cough, asthma, and bronchial congestion.
Supports easier breathing by pacifying Kapha and Pitta dosha.
Stimulates Agni and aids indigestion.
Reduces Ama accumulation in the digestive system.
Helps maintain oral hygiene and reduces foul breath.
Supports wound healing and reduces inflammation in skin disorders.
Enhances general strength, stamina, and systemic balance.
Helps reduce fever and related discomfort.
Assists in managing minor urinary discomfort and kidney issues.

Part(s) Used Of Shaileya (Parmelia Perlata)

Whole Lichen

Dosage Of Shaileya (Parmelia Perlata)

Powder: 1 to 3 gm
Decoction: 30-40 ml

Home Remedies Of Shaileya (Parmelia Perlata)

Paste applied to forehead for headache or to skin affected by itching, watery discharge, or pigmentation.
Freshly ground paste used topically for wounds.
Dried powder with hot water or cow’s urine reduces localized swelling.
Cold infusion (40–50 ml) for diarrhea, thirst, and anorexia.
Consumed with honey for cough and asthma.
Decoction (50–60 ml) with cumin powder and sugar candy for kidney stones or painful urination.
Cold infusion (40–50 ml) for fever and generalized burning sensations.
Regular consumption of cold infusion strengthens heart muscles.

Research On Shaileya (Parmelia Perlata)

Anti‑Inflammatory and Anti‑Arthritic Effects: Stabilizes cell membranes, inhibits protein denaturation, supports inflammatory condition management.
Antioxidant Activity: Rich in phenolic compounds, counters oxidative stress.
Antimicrobial and Antibacterial Actions: Effective against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
Anti-Urolithiatic Activity: Methanolic extracts show kidney stone preventive action.
Anticancer Potential: Reduces viability of human ovarian cancer cells in vitro.
Anti-Helicobacter pylori Activity: Inhibits drug-resistant H. pylori.

Classical Products With Shaileya (Parmelia Perlata)

Gandha Tailam
Tarkshya Agada
Mahasugandhi Agada
Sarvamayantaka Ghrita
Mahabala Tailam
Mruta Sanjivana Agada

Conclusion

Shaileya (Parmelia perlata), commonly known as Stone Flower, is a remarkable Ayurvedic medicinal lichen with extensive therapeutic potential. Traditionally valued for its Kapha- and Pitta-pacifying properties, it supports respiratory, digestive, urinary, and skin health while enhancing overall strength and immunity. Its bioactive constituents, including usnic acid, atranorin, lecanoric acid, and phenolic compounds, exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-arthritic, anti-urolithiatic, and even anticancer activities, validated by modern research. Used in classical formulations such as Gandha Tailam, Mahasugandhi Agada, and Mruta Sanjivana Agada, Shaileya bridges traditional wisdom and contemporary pharmacology. Its versatility, safety, and efficacy make it an essential herb in Ayurvedic therapeutics.

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