Nagakesara

 Nagakesara is a medium sized tree that grows through out India. The herb is commonly known as Cobra saffron and have many therapeutic uses. The best Ayurveda Doctor in the world, Dr.Varun Ram Raj of Ayurvedatarian uses the herb Nagakesara for the treatment diseases caused by the vitiation of Pitta Kapha doshas as the herb is Pitta Kapha samaka in it’s action. Nagakesara is used to treat numerous diseases including Haemorrhoids , Hiccough , Fever etc. Nowadays it’s also used as an astringent , stomachic and cardio tonic agent as it contains Phytoconstituents like mesuol, mammeisin, mesuagin etc.

General aspects and geography

Botanical name : Mesua ferrea        

Family :  Clusiaceae 

Habitat: Through out India 

Parts used

• Stamens

Classical categorization based on Ayurveda textbooks

Charaka Samhita – not mentioned 

Susruta Samhita – Eladi gana

Pharmacological action

• Astringent 
• Antibacterial 
• Tonic 
• Carminative 

Medicinal property according to Ayurveda

• Sophahara (antiinflammatory )
• Jwarahara (Antipyretic )
• Krimighna (kills worms)
• Trishnanigrahana (Alleviate thirst)

Therapeutic indications

• Haemorrhoids (Arsas ) – Regular usage of Nagakesara and honey will alleviate Haemorrhoids 
• Hiccough (Hikka)- Intake of Nagakesara mixed with sugar and honey will alleviate Hiccough 

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 

• Eladi churna
• Candanadi taila 
• Khadirasta

Morphology :

A medium tree with smooth bark. Leaves are oblong. Flowers are fragrant. Fruits are ovoid shaped.

Vernacular names of Nagakesara

English – Cobra saffron

Hindi- Nagakesara 

Malayalam – Nagachempaka

Sanskrit – Nagakesara 

Synonyms 

• Nagapuspa
• Kesara
• Hemapuspa

Rasapanchaka 

Rasa-  Kashaya (Astringent ) Tikta (Bitter )

Guna-  Laghu (light)

Vipaka- Katu (Acrid)

Virya-  Ushna (hot)

नागपुष्पं कषायोष्णं रूक्षं लध्वामपाचनम्

ज्वरकण्डू तृषास्वेदच्छर्दिहल्लास नाशनम् ।

(Bhavaprakasa Nighantu -Karpuradi varga-shloka 70)

 Nagakesara is Pitta Kapha samaka because of it’s properties like Katu vipaka and hot potency . The herb is used to alleviate diseases caused by Pitta and Kapha doshas like Haemorrhoids and Hiccough etc. Ayurvedatarian lead by the best Ayurveda Doctor  Dr. Varun Ram Raj, is currently conducting various researches based on ancient Ayurvedic textbooks, involving Nagakesara for preparing various combinations of medicines to alleviate conditions involving vitiation of Kapha and Pitta. Reach Ayurvedatarian for better health management.

Frequently asked Questions

1)What are the uses of Nagakesara powder ?

   Used for alleviating Haemorrhoids 

2)What is the scientific name of Nagakesara ?

Botanical name of Lodhra is Mesua ferre