NAGAKESARA
Botanical Name— Mesua ferrea
Linn.
Family- GUTIIFERAE
Synonyms— Ahi Puspa, Ibha, Kanakãhva,
Kañcanãhvaya, Kiñijilkam, Kesaram, Cãmpeyam, Natam, Nagam, Naga Kiñjilkam, Naga
Puspam, Naga renuka, PaficabhUvayam, Piñjaram,Phani pannagam, Rukmam, Suvarnam,
Hema pusam.
Classification according to Caraka, Susrutha & Vagbhata
|
Susruta Samhita
:
Elãdi, Vacãdi,
Anjanãdi, Priyangvadi ganas |
|
Caraka Samhita
|
|
Astanga Sangraha
:
EIädi, Vacädi,
Anjanadi, Priyangvadi ganas |
|
Asanga Hdaya
:
Elãdi, Vacãdi,
Añjanãdi, Priyangvadi ganas |
Names in different languages
|
Assam
Bihar
Bengali
English
Hindi
Kannada
Malayalam
Marathi
Punjabi
Tamil
Telugu
Oriya |
Naboor
Nagkeshur
Nagesar
Iron-wood of Assam, ceylon
Iron wood.
Naghas, Nogkesar
Kanchana, Nagasampige
Nagachempakam,
veluttachempakam
Nagachampa
Naga kesar
Irul, Karunangu
Naga kesarãlu
Nageshvar
|
Morphology
(i) Mesua ferrea Linn—
It is a medium sized tree; bark ash-coloured.
Leaves- 8-
12 by 3-4 cm. oblong-lanceolate, acute
acuminate, glabrous above and glaucous beneath, petioles 6-8 mm. long.
Flowers-
white coloured, 2-2.5cm. deameter, axillary or terminal, stamens are numerous,
golden-yellow coloured.
Fruit- 2.5-3 cm. long.Ovoiad.seed- 1-4, angular,
smooth, chestnut brown in colour.
Distribution & Habitat.
eastern Himalayas, Bengel, Assam, eastern and
western ghats and Andaman Islands.
(ii) Ochrotarpus longifolius
Benth & Hook f—(tree)
Leaves- thickly coriaceous, 16-20 cm. by
5-6.5
cm., oblong, obtuse, glabrous, petioles 6 mm.
long. Flowers- numerous, in short fascicles on tubercles from the axils of
fallen leaves, orange red coloured; stamens many, sterile in female flowers
Fruit 2.5 cm. long. obliqualy ovoid, single
seed.
Distribution & Habitat
Along western ghats of Konkan and Malabar area,
Tamil nadu.
Chemical constituents
(i) Mesua ferrea—
Mesuol , Mesuaxanthofle B- and euxanthofle 4- a1kylcoumnu0l MammeiSin ,Mamiflegin
& mesuol from seed oil (Phytochem. 1971,10,1131). mesuaferrofle glycoside-
cyclohaxodione- mesuaferrol, sitosterol. Octadecatriefloic and hexadecanolic
acids are present in seed oil
(ii) Ochrocarpus
longifolius— Mammca surgia,Kosterml. 4-
alkylated coumarins- Surangin A and B. Squalene, Cycloartenol, campesterol,
stigmasterol and bsitosterol. Vitexjn and mesojnositol
Important Yogas or Formations
Kanakasava,catujataka,eladichurna,kesaradi
kasayam.
Properties—
Rasa Kasäya, Tikta
Guna Rüksa, Tiksna, Laghu
Virya - Usna/Anusna
Vipaka - Katu
Karma - Kapha- Pittahara Pramãthi, Grãhi, Paean,
Visahara, otha hara, Kandughna,
Ku!haghana
Indications-. Raktaras Raktatisãra, Rakta
Pradara, Kustha, Visarpa, Jvara, Chardi, Vãta rakta, sopha, Vãta roga, siro roga,
Trsnã, Visa roga,
Clinical Studies
(1) It found to be useful in female
patients suffering from Sveta pradara (vaginal monaliasis).
Important research work going on
1.Anti fungal activity
2.Anti bacterial activity
(1) Rakta Aras—
Naga kesara cürna (2-3gm) shall be administered
orally along with butter and sugar (C.S.Ci.14/210)
(2) Hikkã— Nagakesara cürna (2-4gm) is given
orally with honey and sugar along with (S.S.Ut.50/24)
(3) Rakta Pradara— Nagakesara cürna is to orally
administered while consuming plenty or butter-milk daily
(4) Sveta Pradara— Naga kesara is soaked in the
buttermilk and administered orally for 3 days (V. S. & Y. R.)
(5)
Rakta
Atisãra— Nãga kesara cUrna with sugar (V. S.)5.
(6) Pumsavana— The lady who wants to have a
female child should consume Nagakesara along with ghee (5gm dose daily) during
the period of ovulation (Rtu kãla)- (R. M.)
(7) GarbhaStapana
Powders of Naga kesara and Püga (beetle nut) are mixed together and given orally
(Va.Se.)
