Dhataki

  Dhataki is commonly known as fire flame bush. The flowers of Dhataki are very attractive and is also used as medicines hence the name given. Dhataki flowers are used to prepare alcoholic medicinal preparations in Ayurveda. Dr. Varun Ram Raj of Ayurvedatarian uses the herb Dhataki in conditions involving the vitiation of Kapha and Pitta doshas as it alleviates these doshas. The herb is used to treat Diarrhoea, Dysentery, Skim disorders etc. Dhataki is also used as an astringent, tonic, stimulant etc as it contains Phytoconstituents like becogenin, gallic acid, tannins etc.

General aspects and Geography

Botanical name : Woodfordia fruiticosa       

Family :  Lythraceae 

Habitat: Found through out India

Parts used

• Flowers

Classical categorization based on Ayurveda Textbooks

Charaka Samhita – Sandhaniya varga  (fermentation herbs  )

Susruta Samhita – Priyangvadi gana

Pharmacological action

• Astringent 
• Tonic
• Stimulant
• Wound healer

Medicinal property according to Ayurveda

• Trisnahara (Reduces Thirst)
• Varanahara (Beneficial for healing ulcer)
• Visaghna (Antipoisonous )
• Jwaraghna (Reduces fever )

Therapeutic indications

• Skin disease (Kushta) – Paste of dhataki is used for preparing ointments used that alleviates Skin disorders 
• Dysentery (Pravahika )- Juice of Dhataki flowers are mixed with honey and butter milk and is taken to cure Dysentery.

Dosage

Powder (Churna) – 2 g

Tablet - 2 tablets twice daily or as per the advice of the Ayurveda doctor 

Note: Ayurveda medications must be taken only after consulting an Ayurveda doctor. 

Formulations 

• Dhatakyadi churnam 
• Dhatakyadi taila
• Dhatakyadi kalka

Morphology :

A straggling leafy shrub with spreading branches. Barks are smooth and ashy brown. Leaves are sessile. Inflorescence is flowered cymes. Fruits are capsules.

Vernacular names of Dhataki

English – fire flame bush

Hindi- dhai

Malayalam – thathiri

Sanskrit -dhatakk 

Synonyms 

• Subhiksha
• Dhatupushpi 
• Madahethu

Rasapanchaka 

Rasa- Kashaya (Astringent ) 

Guna-  Laghu (Light)

Vipaka- Katu (Acrid ) 

Virya- Sita (cold )

धातकी कटुका शीता मदकृत्तुवरालघुः |

तृष्णाऽतीसारपित्तास्त्रविषकृमिविसर्पजित् ||

(Bhavaprakasa Nighantu -Haritakyadi varga-shloka 185)

  Dhataki alleviate Pitta Kapha doshas because of its properties like Cold potency and Astringent taste. Ayurvedatarian lead by Dr. Varun Ram Raj, uses the herb Dhataki to treat numerous diseases including cough and skin disorders and also conducts researches on the herb to prepare new combinations of medicines to cure diseases effectively. Reach Ayurvedatarian for better health management.

Frequently asked Questions

1. What are the uses of Dhatakyadi churna?

According to Ayurvedic textbooks, Dhatakyadi churna can be used to treat Diarrhoea especially in childrens.

2. What is the Dosage of Dhatakyadi churna?

          Dhatakyadi churna can be taken internally at a dose of 2 g  for an adult.