A Comprehensive Guide to Ayurvedic Specialties
Nagakeshara (Mesua ferrea),
Latin Name: Mesua ferrea, Linn.
Family: Guttiferae (Nagakeshara Kula)
Classical Gana/Varga:
Charaka Samhita: Not explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Sushruta Samhita: Eladi Gana, Sugandhivarga, Priyangvadi, Anjanadi.
Bhava Prakasha: Chaturjata.
Sanskrit Synonyms: Nagapushpa, Champeya, Keshara, Kanaka, Nagiya, Kanchana, Naga, Ahipushpa, Hemapushpaka.
Regional Names:
Hindi: Peela Nagakeshara
Marathi: Nagachapha
Tamil: Marilinga
Telugu: Nagashappu
Kannada: Nagakeshara
Malayalam: Nianga
English: Mesua
Morphology & Habitat: A beautiful, medium-sized tree with tender branches and reddish bark that exudes a yellowish-green gum. Leaves are lanceolate, 5-15 cm long. Flowers are large (8-10 cm diameter), fragrant, with yellow stamens. The fruit is ovoid, containing 1-4 seeds. It flowers in spring (Vasanta) and fruits in summer (Greeshma). Found in Nepal, the Eastern and Northern Himalayas, South India, the Andaman Islands, and the Konkan region up to 2000 meters.
Part Used: Stamens (Punkeshara). Note: The red variety is authentic Nagakeshara; the blackish-red variety is from Punnaga and is less effective.
Purification (Śodhana): The classical purification process for Nagakeshara is not detailed in the provided text. It is typically subject to specific Śodhana procedures to mitigate potential toxicity or enhance efficacy, but the source material does not specify them.
Preservation: The purified stamens should be stored in an airtight container, protected from moisture and light, to preserve their fragrance and medicinal properties.
Attribute (Guṇa) Property
Rasa (Taste) Kashaya (Astringent), Tikta (Bitter)
Guṇa (Quality) Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry)
Vīrya (Potency) Alpaushna (Mildly Ushna / Slightly Heating)
Vipāka (Post-digestive) Katu (Pungent)
Dosha Karma: Primarily Pittaghna (pacifies Pitta) due to its Kashaya and Tikta Rasa. It is also Kaphaghna (pacifies Kapha) due to the combination of its Ruksha, Tikta, and Kashaya properties.
Srotas Karma (Actions by Body System):
Annavaha & Purishavaha Srotas (Digestive System): Due to its Tikta Rasa, it is Deepana (appetizer) and Pachana (digestive). Its Kashaya Rasa and Ushna Veerya make it a Sangrahi (absorbent, binding agent). Used in Agnimandya (low digestive fire), Ajeerna (indigestion), Chhardi (vomiting), Amlapitta (acidity), Grahani (IBS), Pravahika (dysentery), Arsha (hemorrhoids), and Krimi (worms). It is a specific Raktastambhaka (hemostatic) in Raktarsha (bleeding piles).
Rasavaha & Raktavaha Srotas (Circulatory/Blood System): Acts as Hridaya (cardiotropic), nourishing the heart with purified Rasa and Rakta. Its hemostatic property is used in Adhoga Raktapitta (bleeding from lower body orifices) and bleeding disorders by reducing the fragility of blood vessels.
Artavavaha Srotas (Female Reproductive System): Used in Atyartava (menorrhagia) and Pradara (leukorrhea) to arrest Yonigata Raktasrava (vaginal bleeding).
Mutravaha Srotas (Urinary System): Pacifies Pitta in the urinary tract, making it useful in Mutradaha (burning micturition), Mutrakrichchhra (dysuria), and Mutragata Raktapitta (hematuria).
Twak (Integumentary System): Useful in Kustha (skin diseases) and Visarpa (herpes) as a blood purifier. The stamen powder is Ruksha and deodorant, eliminating excessive sweating and foul smell.
Primary Actions: Deepana (appetizer), Pachana (digestive), Sangrahi (absorbent), Raktastambhaka (hemostatic), Hridaya (cardiotonic), Vedanashapana (analgesic), Svedahara (reduces sweating).
Dosage (Mātrā): 1 - 3 grams of the purified powder.
Anupāna (Vehicle): Water, coconut water, rice washings, butter, ghee, or sugar candy, depending on the condition.
Important Formulations (Kalpa): Samasharkara Churna, Pushyanuga Churna.
Specific Prayogas:
For bleeding disorders like Raktapradara or Raktarsha, Nagakeshara powder soaked in ghee is recommended.
For hoarseness of voice (Svarabhanga), a combination of Nagakeshara, Ela (cardamom), and sugar candy should be chewed.
For Pitta conditions like trishna (excessive thirst), Amlapitta, and Jvara, Nagakeshara Phanta (hot infusion) or Hima (cold infusion) with sugar is advised.
Contraindications (Nivārita): Due to its Ruksha (dry) and mildly Ushna (heating) properties, it should be used with caution in conditions of excessive dryness (Vata Prakopa) or severe dehydration. Specific contraindications are not detailed in the source.
Symptoms of Toxicity (Aśuddha Viṣa Lakṣaṇa): The text does not specify symptoms of poisoning from impure or overdosed Nagakeshara.
Antidote & Treatment (Viṣa Chikitsā): Antidotal measures are not mentioned in the provided text.
Chemical Composition:
Stamens: Contain Mesuoferin A and B.
Seeds: Contain up to 70% Mamisin oil, Mesuol, and Mesuone, which possess bactericidal properties.
Research Notes:
1. Seed oil potentiates bronchodilator activity (of isoprenaline) in vivo and in vitro due to its phenolic compounds.
2. Demonstrates anthelmintic activity against tapeworm and hookworm.
3. A compound containing 'Ayapon' (from Nagakeshara), along with Ashoka, Godanti Bhasma, Amboji, and Jeevanti, showed satisfactory control of bleeding per vaginum in 90% of cases in a clinical study involving 100 women (post Copper-T insertion, menorrhagia, metrorrhagia).