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Mesua ferrea linn - Nagapushpa

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Nāgakesara

Mesua ferrea is a species in the family Calophyllaceae. This slow-growing tree is named after the heaviness and hardness of its timber. It is native to wet, tropical parts of Sri Lanka, India, southern Nepal, Burma, Thailand, Indochina, the Philippines, Malaysia and Sumatra.

Uses

Urinary tract infection, Gout, Itching, Swelling,Inflammatory disease, Indigestion, Fever, Excess thirst[1]

Parts Used

Dried folaige, Whole herb, Leaf, Bark, Flower, Seeds oil.

Chemical Composition

Contains Volatile oils, Flavonoids, Apigenin, Luteolin, Quercetin, Kaempferol, Tiliroside, Triterpene glycosides including euscapic acid and Tormentic acid, Phenolic acids, and 3%–21% tannins.[2]

Common names

Language Common name
Kannada Kesara, Naagakeshara, Naagachampa, Naagasampige
Hindi Gajapushpam, Nag-kesar
Malayalam Behettachampagam, Bellutta-tsjampakam, Beluttachampagam
Tamil Naagalingam, Aicilam, Aicilanakappu, Akiputam
Telugu Chikatimanu, Cikatimanu, Gajapushpamu,
Marathi NA
Gujarathi NA
Punjabi NA
Kashmiri NA
Sanskrit Nagkesara, Nagpushpa
English Ironwood


Properties

Reference: Dravya - Substance, Rasa - Taste, Guna - Qualities, Veerya - Potency, Vipaka - Post-digesion effect, Karma - Pharmacological activity, Prabhava - Therepeutics.

Dravya

Rasa

Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent)

Guna

Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry), Tikshna (Sharp)

Veerya

Ushna (Hot)

Vipaka

Katu (Pungent)

Karma

Kapha, Vata

Prabhava

Habit

Tree

Identification

Leaf

Kind Shape Feature
Simple Lanceolate The leaves are divided into 3-6 toothed leaflets, with smaller leaflets in between

[3]

Flower

Type Size Color and composition Stamen More information
Unisexual 2-4cm long White 5-20 Flowers fragrant white, large and solitary or in clusters. Flowering from February to May

Fruit

Type Size Mass Appearance Seeds More information
Ovoid 7–10 mm Fruits ovoid with persistent calyx Dark brown with oily and fleshy cotyledons 1-4 Fruiting from May to October

Other features

List of Ayurvedic medicine in which the herb is used

Mahanarayana taila, Puga Khanda, Gulgulvasavam, Mahadraksha, Shringarabhra rasa, Amrita Praasha, Amrita Bhallataki, Amritaarishta, Ayapaan, Arimedaadi taila, Yelaadi Churna, Ashwagandharishta, Kandamoola Rasaayana, Kanakaasava, Kalyanaka Gritam, Kumariyaasava, Kumaaryasava, Kesha sanjivini Taila, Khadiraarishta, Chandanaadi tailam. Chavanaprash, Jatiphaladi Churnam, Jeeraka Bilvadi Lehyam, Jeerakaadyarishta, Triphaladi Lehyam, Nilibringaraja Taila, Narasimha Lehyam, Phalasugandhi Lehya, Pippaliyaasava, Bilvaadi lehya, Babbulaarishta [4]

Where to get the saplings

Mode of Propagation

Seeds, Cuttings.

How to plant/cultivate

Seed - easy to handle in the nursery with a germination that is good and rapid. Seedling germination is hypogeal.[5]

Commonly seen growing in areas

Mountains of eastern himalayas, East bengal, Wetland of Assam.

Photo Gallery

References

  1. Karnataka Medicinal Plants Volume - 2 by Dr.M. R. Gurudeva, Page No. 399
  2. Sciencedirect
  3. Plant description
  4. "Karnataka Medicinal Plants Volume - 2" by Dr.M. R. Gurudeva, Page No.125, Published by Divyachandra Prakashana, #45, Paapannana Tota, 1st Main road, Basaveshwara Nagara, Bengaluru.
  5. Cultivation details

External Links