• Article tells you abou plant Parijatak and its benefits.

Plants are a rich source of Ayurvedic medicines and broadly explained in the various Vedic scriptures. Parijatak is one of the most auspicious herbs found in the Vedic scriptures. It is predominately found in the Indian sub-continent and also cultivated in tropical & subtropical regions.  

Vedic tradition tells us about the importance of Parijatak, since it is found during Samudramanthan (churning of ocean). It is a wish-fulfilling tree so taken by Indra to heaven. However, Sri Krishna brought it back to earth on the request of his wife Satyabhama.

Meaning of Parijatak

“Parijatak” is Sanskrit word which means “fully developed”.  It is called Parijatak since it was found from (parinaha), an all-encompassing probing search during churning of ocean.

Synonyms - Shuklangi, Petals of flower are white in colour.

Latin name - Nyctanthus arbortristis Linn.

Hindi name - Harsingar. It is used as an ornament for God.

English name - Night jasmine or Coral jasmine. Its flowers bloom in the night.
Bengali name - Shefalika, Shivuli.

Guajarati name - Harshanagar.

Kannada name - Parijatha.

Marathi name - Parijath.

Telugu name - Parijatamu.

Parijatak tree is grown in the veranda, mainly near the entrance of house, and considered to be auspicious. The flowers of these trees have a unique colour combination; small petals in white colour connected to an orange stem. It is called as Night jasmine (Rat ki Rani) because its flower blooms in the night and tumble down before sunrise, carpeting the flooring, spreads enriching fragrance in the nearby space. It is a very treasured plant, having numerous therapeutic uses and rises up from 15 to 30 feet.

Characteristics of Parijatak considered for medicinal use:

Laghu - Small (Penetrating ability).

Ruksha - Dry (absorbs moisture).

Taste - Rasa- Tikta (Bitter).       

Virya - Ushna - Hot (pacifies cold).

Based on the above characteristics, medicinal effects of parijatak on the body are:

Kapha & Vata pacifies & purifies Pitta. Immunity booster - It has Antioxidant & Anti-inflammatory properties.

Therapeutic uses are –

Kaphaj Vyadhi - Like Asthama, Cough Diabetes, Obesity, Oedema, Worms, constipation and piles. Pittaja Vyadhi - like Fever (Malaria, Chicken gunya, Dengue) and inflammation.

How to use

Take fresh 10-20 leaves, wash and boil in one glass of water until the quantity of water remains half. After filtering water, let it cool down & then drink after adding honey.

For chicken-gunya fever - Mixture of Guduchi, Suntha, Patol and Parijatak leaf gives very good result in reducing fever & increasing immunity by balancing dosha. For diabetic patients avoid addition of honey.

Anaemia - Water can be boiled in mixture of Lohabhasma, Parijatak leaves, honey & ginger.

Dose - Syrup form 10-20 ml

Vataj Vyadhi - like Arthritis, Gout, Sciatica, Slip disc, Oligo amenorrhea and joint pain 

Take fresh 10-20 leaves clean & boil it in 1 glass of water until the quantity of water remains half. After filtering water, drink it in the morning time.

Dose - Syrup form 10-20 ml 

Few Readymade formulations.  

Sciatica - Parijatakwatha, Bala tel.

General tonic - Ashwagandharisht.

Skin infections, Eczema (Fungal & bacterial) - Paste of Parijatak leafs & turmeric can be applied on the affected part.

For hair loss - Application of the paste of the Parijata seeds over bald scalp gives result of regrowth of hairs, however it depends on severity & the cause of baldness.

Other uses - Essential oil of Parijat is used in aromatherapy and as air fresheners.

Reference 

https://biomedpharmajournal.org/vol9no3/literary-review-of-parijata-nyctanthus-arbor-tristis-linn-an-herbal-medicament-with-special-reference-to-ayurveda-and-botanical-literatures/

Disclaimer – Please note do not use the remedies without consulting your Ayurveda doctor.