Dhataki
Dhataki
Dhataki or Dhawai is also known as Bahupuspika in Ayurveda. It is the flower of Dhataki that has significant importance in the traditional Indian medicine. Some of the medicinal properties of the flower of Dhataki are antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and wound healing. It helps to manage heavy menstrual bleeding and leucorrhea (thick, white discharge from the female genitals)[2][3].
What are the synonyms of Dhataki?
Woodfordia fruticosa, Bahupuspi, Tamrapuspi, Vahnijvata, Dhaiphool, Fire flame bush, Dhavadi, Dhavani, Dhai, Dhava, Tamrapushpi, Tattiripuvu, Tatire, Dhayati, Dhavati, Dhaiphula, Dhatuki, Davi, Phul Dhava, Kattati, Kattathi, Kattattipoo, Aarl Puruvu, Parvati, Bahupuspika[1].
What is the source of Dhataki?
Plant Based
Benefits of Dhataki
1. Menorrhagia
Menorrhagia or heavy menstrual bleeding is known as Raktapradar or excessive secretion of menstrual blood. This is due to an aggravated Pitta dosha. Dhataki balances an aggravated Pitta and controls heavy menstrual bleeding or menorrhagia. This is due to its Sita (cold) and Kashaya (astringent) properties.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Dhataki powder.
b. Mix with honey or water.
c. Have it twice a day after taking light food.
d. Repeat daily to manage the symptoms of Menorrhagia.
2. Leucorrhea
Leucorrhea is a thick, white discharge from the female genitals. According to Ayurveda, leucorrhea is due to an imbalance of Kapha dosha. Dhataki is useful in leucorrhea because of its Kashaya (astringent) property. It helps to control aggravated Kapha and reduce the symptoms of leucorrhea.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Dhataki powder.
b. Mix with honey or water.
c. Have it twice a day after taking light food to control leucorrhea.
3. Diarrhea
Diarrhea is known as Atisar in Ayurveda. It is due to improper food, impure water, toxins, mental stress and Agnimandya (weak digestive fire). All these factors are responsible for aggravating Vata. This aggravated Vata brings fluid in the intestine from various tissues from the body and mixes with the stool. This leads to loose, watery motions or diarrhea. Dhataki helps to control diarrhea. This is because of its Kashaya (astringent). It helps to thicken loose stool and control the frequency of loose motion or diarrhea.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Dhataki powder.
b. Mix with honey or water.
c. Have it twice a day after taking light food to control diarrhea.
4. Asthma
Dhataki 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). Taking Dhataki powder helps to balance 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 Dhataki powder.
b. Mix with honey or water.
c. Have it twice a day after taking light food to manage the symptoms of asthma.
Menorrhagia or heavy menstrual bleeding is known as Raktapradar or excessive secretion of menstrual blood. This is due to an aggravated Pitta dosha. Dhataki balances an aggravated Pitta and controls heavy menstrual bleeding or menorrhagia. This is due to its Sita (cold) and Kashaya (astringent) properties.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Dhataki powder.
b. Mix with honey or water.
c. Have it twice a day after taking light food.
d. Repeat daily to manage the symptoms of Menorrhagia.
2. Leucorrhea
Leucorrhea is a thick, white discharge from the female genitals. According to Ayurveda, leucorrhea is due to an imbalance of Kapha dosha. Dhataki is useful in leucorrhea because of its Kashaya (astringent) property. It helps to control aggravated Kapha and reduce the symptoms of leucorrhea.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Dhataki powder.
b. Mix with honey or water.
c. Have it twice a day after taking light food to control leucorrhea.
3. Diarrhea
Diarrhea is known as Atisar in Ayurveda. It is due to improper food, impure water, toxins, mental stress and Agnimandya (weak digestive fire). All these factors are responsible for aggravating Vata. This aggravated Vata brings fluid in the intestine from various tissues from the body and mixes with the stool. This leads to loose, watery motions or diarrhea. Dhataki helps to control diarrhea. This is because of its Kashaya (astringent). It helps to thicken loose stool and control the frequency of loose motion or diarrhea.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Dhataki powder.
b. Mix with honey or water.
c. Have it twice a day after taking light food to control diarrhea.
4. Asthma
Dhataki 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). Taking Dhataki powder helps to balance 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 Dhataki powder.
b. Mix with honey or water.
c. Have it twice a day after taking light food to manage the symptoms of asthma.
Precautions when using Dhataki
Breastfeeding
Modern Science View
Not enough scientific evidence is available on the use of Dhataki during breastfeeding. So it is advisable to avoid Dhataki or use only under medical supervision during breastfeeding.
Patients with diabetes
Modern Science View
Not enough scientific evidence is available on the use of Dhataki if you are on any anti-diabetic drugs. So it is advisable to avoid Dhataki 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 Dhataki if you are on any anti-hypertensive drugs. So it is advisable to avoid Dhataki or use only under medical supervision in such a case.
Pregnancy
Modern Science View
Not enough scientific evidence is available on the use of Dhataki during pregnancy. So it is advisable to avoid Dhataki or use only under medical supervision during pregnancy.
Recommended Dosage of Dhataki
- Dhataki Flower - ¼-½ teaspoon or as per your requirement.
How to use Dhataki
1. Dhataki Powder
a. Take dried flowers of Dhataki.
b. Grind them and make powder.
c. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of this Dhataki powder.
d. Mix with honey or water.
e. Have it twice a day after taking light food.
a. Take dried flowers of Dhataki.
b. Grind them and make powder.
c. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of this Dhataki powder.
d. Mix with honey or water.
e. Have it twice a day after taking light food.
Benefits of Dhataki
1. Wound healing
Dhataki helps in quick healing of wound, decreases swelling and brings back the normal texture of the skin. A paste of Dhataki flower powder with coconut oil helps in quick healing of wound and reduces inflammation. This is due to its Ropan (healing) and Sita (cold) properties.
Tips:
a. Take ½-1 teaspoon of Dhataki powder or as per your requirement.
b. Mix with honey or water and make a paste.
c. Apply it on the affected area once a day.
d. Leave it for at least 1 hour and wash with plain water.
e. Repeat this for fast healing of wound.
2. Sunburn
Dhataki is useful for fighting against sunburn. According to Ayurveda, sunburn is due to an aggravation of Pitta dosha. This is because of continuous exposure to the sun. Applying Dhataki flower paste gives a cooling effect and reduces burning sensation due to its Sita (cold) and Ropan (healing) nature.
Tips
a. Take ½-1 teaspoon of Dhataki powder or as per your requirement.
b. Mix with honey or water and make a paste.
c. Apply it on the affected area once a day.
d. Leave it for at least 1 hour and wash with plain water.
e. Repeat this to control the symptoms of sunburn.
3. Acne and Pimples
A Kapha-Pitta dosha skin type can be prone to acne and pimples. According to Ayurveda, an aggravation of Kapha increases sebum production which clogs the pores. This results in the formation of both white and blackheads. An aggravation of Pitta also causes red papules (bumps) and inflammation with pus. Applying Dhataki powder helps to control acne and pimples. It prevents excess sebum production, removes clogging of pores and reduces inflammation. This is because of its Kapha and Pitta balancing properties.
Tips:
a. Take ½-1 teaspoon or as per your requirement of Dhataki powder.
b. Mix with honey or water and make a paste.
c. Apply it on the affected area once a day.
d. Leave it for at least 1 hour and wash with plain water.
e. Repeat this to control acne and pimples.
Dhataki helps in quick healing of wound, decreases swelling and brings back the normal texture of the skin. A paste of Dhataki flower powder with coconut oil helps in quick healing of wound and reduces inflammation. This is due to its Ropan (healing) and Sita (cold) properties.
Tips:
a. Take ½-1 teaspoon of Dhataki powder or as per your requirement.
b. Mix with honey or water and make a paste.
c. Apply it on the affected area once a day.
d. Leave it for at least 1 hour and wash with plain water.
e. Repeat this for fast healing of wound.
2. Sunburn
Dhataki is useful for fighting against sunburn. According to Ayurveda, sunburn is due to an aggravation of Pitta dosha. This is because of continuous exposure to the sun. Applying Dhataki flower paste gives a cooling effect and reduces burning sensation due to its Sita (cold) and Ropan (healing) nature.
Tips
a. Take ½-1 teaspoon of Dhataki powder or as per your requirement.
b. Mix with honey or water and make a paste.
c. Apply it on the affected area once a day.
d. Leave it for at least 1 hour and wash with plain water.
e. Repeat this to control the symptoms of sunburn.
3. Acne and Pimples
A Kapha-Pitta dosha skin type can be prone to acne and pimples. According to Ayurveda, an aggravation of Kapha increases sebum production which clogs the pores. This results in the formation of both white and blackheads. An aggravation of Pitta also causes red papules (bumps) and inflammation with pus. Applying Dhataki powder helps to control acne and pimples. It prevents excess sebum production, removes clogging of pores and reduces inflammation. This is because of its Kapha and Pitta balancing properties.
Tips:
a. Take ½-1 teaspoon or as per your requirement of Dhataki powder.
b. Mix with honey or water and make a paste.
c. Apply it on the affected area once a day.
d. Leave it for at least 1 hour and wash with plain water.
e. Repeat this to control acne and pimples.
Recommended Dosage of Dhataki
- Dhataki Flower - ½-1 teaspoon or as per your requirement.
How to use Dhataki
1. Dhataki Powder
a. Take dried flowers of Dhataki.
b. Grind them and make powder.
c. Take ½-1 teaspoon of this Dhataki powder or as per your requirement.
d. Mix with honey or water and make a paste.
e. Apply it on the affected area once a day.
f. Leave it for at least 1 hour.
g. Wash with plain water
a. Take dried flowers of Dhataki.
b. Grind them and make powder.
c. Take ½-1 teaspoon of this Dhataki powder or as per your requirement.
d. Mix with honey or water and make a paste.
e. Apply it on the affected area once a day.
f. Leave it for at least 1 hour.
g. Wash with plain water
Frequently asked questions
Ayurvedic View
Yes, Dhataki is good for female disorders because it helps to reduce the symptoms of heavy and painful menstruation. It also corrects the symptoms of leucorrhea due to its Kashaya (astringent) property.
References
- The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia Of India.Part 1 Volume 1.
- Muvel U, Devre K, Raghuvanshi A.A Pharmacognostic and pharmacological overview on Woodfordia fruticosa Kurz.Sch. Acad. J. Pharm., 2014; 3(5): 418-422.
- Das PK, Banerjee SG, Chinniah A,et.al.Woodfordia fruticosa: Traditional uses and recent findings.J Ethnopharmacol.2007;110(2):189-99.
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.