Nagkesar
Nagkesar
Nagkesar is an evergreen ornamental tree that is found in most of the Asian countries. Various parts of Nagkesar are used either alone or in combination with other medicinal herbs for their health benefits.
Nagkesar is beneficial in relieving cold and cough as it removes excess mucus from the lungs. This also gives relief from certain symptoms of asthma. Taking Nagkesar powder along with honey or lukewarm water once or twice a day helps reduce fever by lowering the body temperature due to its antipyretic property. It also helps manage bleeding piles, dysentery and stomach irritation due to its astringent property.
According to Ayurveda, Nagkesar is good for improving digestion due to its Laghu (easy to digest) property.
Applying Nagkesar oil might be useful in managing skin problems as well as preventing skin infections due to its antimicrobial and strong wound healing property. It's topical application also helps reduce pain and inflammation due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties[2-5].
Nagkesar is beneficial in relieving cold and cough as it removes excess mucus from the lungs. This also gives relief from certain symptoms of asthma. Taking Nagkesar powder along with honey or lukewarm water once or twice a day helps reduce fever by lowering the body temperature due to its antipyretic property. It also helps manage bleeding piles, dysentery and stomach irritation due to its astringent property.
According to Ayurveda, Nagkesar is good for improving digestion due to its Laghu (easy to digest) property.
Applying Nagkesar oil might be useful in managing skin problems as well as preventing skin infections due to its antimicrobial and strong wound healing property. It's topical application also helps reduce pain and inflammation due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties[2-5].
What are the synonyms of Nagkesar?
Mesua ferrea, Cobras Saffron, Ceylon Ironwood, Indian Rose Chestnut, Mesua, Nagkesara, Pila Nagkesara, Kesara, Nagapuspa, Naga, Hema, Gajakesara, Negeshvar, Nahar, Nageshvara, Nagesar, Sachunagkeshara, Nagchampa, Pilunagkesar, Tamranagkesar, Nagsampige, Nagakesari, Nangaa, Nauga, Peri, Veluthapala, Nagppu, Nagappovu, Nageswar, Naugu, Naugaliral, Nagachampakam, Sirunagappu, Nagachampakamu, Narmushk[1][2].
What is the source of Nagkesar?
Plant Based
Benefits of Nagkesar
1. Indigestion
Nagkesar helps to manage indigestion. According to Ayurveda, indigestion means the state of an incomplete process of digestion. The main reason for indigestion is aggravated Kapha that causes Agnimandya (weak digestive fire). Taking Nagkesar helps to improve Agni (digestive fire) and digests the food easily. This is due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties respectively.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Nagkesar powder.
b. Mix it with honey or lukewarm water.
c. Swallow it once or twice a day after taking light food to manage indigestion.
2. Fever
Nagkesar might help reduce fever and its symptoms. According to Ayurveda, there are different types of fever, depending on the dosha involved. Usually, a fever indicates an excess accumulation of Ama due to low digestive fire. Taking Nagkesar boiled water helps to reduce Ama due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Nagkesar powder.
b. Mix it with honey or lukewarm water.
c. Swallow it once or twice a day after taking light food to manage fever.
3. Bleeding piles
Piles are known as Arsh in Ayurveda, which is caused by an unhealthy diet and a sedentary lifestyle. This leads to the impairment of all the three doshas, mainly Vata. An aggravated Vata causes a low digestive fire, leading to constipation. This causes swelling in the veins in the rectum area leading to piles mass. Sometimes bleeding can also occur in this condition. Nagkesar promotes digestive fire because of its Ushna (hot) potency. This corrects constipation and controls bleeding. This is due to its Kashaya (astringent) nature.
Tip:
a. Make 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Nagkesar powder.
b. Mix it with honey or lukewarm water.
c. Swallow it once or twice a day after taking light food to control bleeding piles.
4. Asthma
Nagkesar helps to control the symptoms of asthma and gives relief in case of breathlessness. According to Ayurveda, the main doshas involved in asthma are Vata and Kapha. The vitiated ‘Vata’ combines with deranged ‘Kapha dosha’ in the lungs, causing obstruction in the respiratory passage. This results in difficulty in breathing. This condition is known as Swas Roga (asthma). Nagkesar helps in balancing Kapha and remove excess mucus from the lungs. This gives relief from the symptoms of asthma.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Nagkesar powder.
b. Mix it with honey or lukewarm water.
c. Swallow it once or twice a day after taking light food to manage the symptoms of asthma.
Nagkesar helps to manage indigestion. According to Ayurveda, indigestion means the state of an incomplete process of digestion. The main reason for indigestion is aggravated Kapha that causes Agnimandya (weak digestive fire). Taking Nagkesar helps to improve Agni (digestive fire) and digests the food easily. This is due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties respectively.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Nagkesar powder.
b. Mix it with honey or lukewarm water.
c. Swallow it once or twice a day after taking light food to manage indigestion.
2. Fever
Nagkesar might help reduce fever and its symptoms. According to Ayurveda, there are different types of fever, depending on the dosha involved. Usually, a fever indicates an excess accumulation of Ama due to low digestive fire. Taking Nagkesar boiled water helps to reduce Ama due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Nagkesar powder.
b. Mix it with honey or lukewarm water.
c. Swallow it once or twice a day after taking light food to manage fever.
3. Bleeding piles
Piles are known as Arsh in Ayurveda, which is caused by an unhealthy diet and a sedentary lifestyle. This leads to the impairment of all the three doshas, mainly Vata. An aggravated Vata causes a low digestive fire, leading to constipation. This causes swelling in the veins in the rectum area leading to piles mass. Sometimes bleeding can also occur in this condition. Nagkesar promotes digestive fire because of its Ushna (hot) potency. This corrects constipation and controls bleeding. This is due to its Kashaya (astringent) nature.
Tip:
a. Make 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Nagkesar powder.
b. Mix it with honey or lukewarm water.
c. Swallow it once or twice a day after taking light food to control bleeding piles.
4. Asthma
Nagkesar helps to control the symptoms of asthma and gives relief in case of breathlessness. According to Ayurveda, the main doshas involved in asthma are Vata and Kapha. The vitiated ‘Vata’ combines with deranged ‘Kapha dosha’ in the lungs, causing obstruction in the respiratory passage. This results in difficulty in breathing. This condition is known as Swas Roga (asthma). Nagkesar helps in balancing Kapha and remove excess mucus from the lungs. This gives relief from the symptoms of asthma.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Nagkesar powder.
b. Mix it with honey or lukewarm water.
c. Swallow it once or twice a day after taking light food to manage the symptoms of asthma.
Precautions when using Nagkesar
Breastfeeding
Modern Science View
Not enough scientific evidence is available on the use of Nagkesar during breastfeeding. So it is advisable to avoid Nagkesar or use only under medical supervision during breastfeeding.
Patients with diabetes
Modern Science View
Not enough scientific evidence is available on the use of Nagkesar if you are on any anti-diabetic drugs. So it is advisable to avoid Nagkesar or use only under medical supervision in such a case.
Patients with heart disease
Modern Science View
Not enough scientific evidence is available on the use of Nagkesar if you are on any anti-hypertensive drugs. So it is advisable to avoid Nagkesar or use only under medical supervision in such a case.
Pregnancy
Modern Science View
Not enough scientific evidence is available on the use of Nagkesar during pregnancy. So it is advisable to avoid Nagkesar or use only under medical supervision during pregnancy.
Recommended Dosage of Nagkesar
- Nagkesar Powder - ¼ - ½ teaspoon once or twice a day.
How to use Nagkesar
1. Nagkesar Powder
a. Take ¼ - ½ teaspoon of Nagkesar powder.
b. Mix it with honey or lukewarm water.
c. Swallow it once or twice a day after taking light food.
a. Take ¼ - ½ teaspoon of Nagkesar powder.
b. Mix it with honey or lukewarm water.
c. Swallow it once or twice a day after taking light food.
Frequently asked questions
Modern Science View
Yes, Nagkesar seed oil can be used as a substitute for petroleum gasoline[14].
Modern Science View
Nagkesar churan is easily available in the market under various brand names. It can be bought either from online pharmacies, websites or from any Ayurvedic store.
References
- The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia Of India.Part 1.Volume 1.
- Asif M, Jafari SF, Iqbal Z, et al.Ethnobotanical and phytopharmacological attributes of Mesua ferrea: A mini review.Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science.2017;7(04):242-251.
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- Jalalpure SS, Yuvaraj D, Mandavkar et al. Antiarthritic activity of various extracts of Mesua ferrea Linn. seed. J Ethnopharmacol. 2011:(138):700-4.
- Singha S, Adhikari U, Chandra G.Smoke repellency and mosquito larvicidal potentiality of Mesua ferra L. leaf extract against filarial vector Culex quinquefasciatus Say. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine.2011: 1: 119–123.
- Garg S, Sharma S, Ranjan. Evaluation of antioxidant and hepatoprotective efficacy of methanolic extract of Mesua ferrea linn leaves in experimentally challenged mice. International Journal of PharmTech Research.2009:1(4): pp 1692-1696.
- Nadpara NP , Vaghela JP, Patel P B.Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Mesua ferrea Linn. – A Review. Research Journal of pharmacology and phytochemistry.2012:4(6):291-296.
- Manjunatha BK, Syed M, Divakara R.Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Potency of Mesua Ferrea Linn.Indian Journal of Applied Research.2013; 3(8):55-59.
- Chahar MK, Kumar S, Geetha L.Mesua ferrea L.: A review of the medical evidence for its phytochemistry and pharmacological actions.African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology.2013;7(6):211-219.
- Chaitanya KK, Rao KK, Sastry YN.Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant and Phytochemical analysis of Mesua ferrea bark extracts.IJCTPR.2015; 3(3): 891–902.
- Tiwari P, Nandy S. Screening of Anti-inflammatory activity of Mesua Ferra LINN flower.IJBR.2012;3[05]:245‐252.
- Choudhary GP.Wound Healing Activity of the Ethanolic Extract of Mesua ferrea Linn.IJAPBC.2012;1(3):369-371.
- Bora DK, Saha R, Saikia M.Biofuel production from Mesua ferrea L seed oil. IJETR.2014;2(9):397-402.
Disclaimer
The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional.