Nagkesar
Nagkesar
Nagkesar is an evergreen ornamental tree and is distributed in most of the Asian countries. Various parts of Nagkesar are used either alone or in combination with other medicinal herbs. Some of the therapeutic properties of Nagkesar are antipyretic (reduces fever), antimicrobial, anti-asthmatic (relieves symptoms of asthma) and carminative (relieves gas formation). It helps to manage indigestion, bleeding piles and dysentery. It is also good for minimizing joint pain and in quick healing of wound[2].
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 Nagarmotha 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 Nagarmotha 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.
Benefits of Nagkesar
1. Joint Pain
Nagkesar or its oil helps to reduce bone and joint pain when applied to the affected area. According to Ayurveda, the bones and joints are considered a site of Vata in the body. Pain in the joints is mainly due to Vata imbalance. Applying Nagkesar or its oil helps to reduce joint pain by balancing Vata due to its Ushna (hot) potency.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Nagkesar powder or as per your requirement.
b. Mix with lukewarm water and make a paste.
c. Apply on the affected area once a day.
d. Leave it 1-2 hours and wash with plain water.
e. Repeat to manage joint pain.
2. Wound healing
Nagkesar or its oil helps in quick healing of the wound, decreases swelling and brings back the normal texture of the skin. It also works on skin problems like cuts due to its Ropan (healing) property.
Tips:
a. Take 2-5 drops of Nagkesar oil.
b. Mix with 1-2 teaspoons of Coconut oil.
c. Apply on the affected area once a day.
d. Leave it for 2-4 hours.
e. Repeat this for quick healing of wound.
3. Headache
Nagkesar helps to reduce a stress-induced headache. Nagkesar paste alleviates stress, fatigue and relaxes the tensed muscles. Together it helps to manage a headache.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Nagkesar powder or as per your requirement.
b. Mix with lukewarm water and make a paste.
c. Apply it on the affected area once a day.
d. Leave it for 1-2 hours and wash off with plain water.
e. Repeat this to manage a headache.
Nagkesar or its oil helps to reduce bone and joint pain when applied to the affected area. According to Ayurveda, the bones and joints are considered a site of Vata in the body. Pain in the joints is mainly due to Vata imbalance. Applying Nagkesar or its oil helps to reduce joint pain by balancing Vata due to its Ushna (hot) potency.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Nagkesar powder or as per your requirement.
b. Mix with lukewarm water and make a paste.
c. Apply on the affected area once a day.
d. Leave it 1-2 hours and wash with plain water.
e. Repeat to manage joint pain.
2. Wound healing
Nagkesar or its oil helps in quick healing of the wound, decreases swelling and brings back the normal texture of the skin. It also works on skin problems like cuts due to its Ropan (healing) property.
Tips:
a. Take 2-5 drops of Nagkesar oil.
b. Mix with 1-2 teaspoons of Coconut oil.
c. Apply on the affected area once a day.
d. Leave it for 2-4 hours.
e. Repeat this for quick healing of wound.
3. Headache
Nagkesar helps to reduce a stress-induced headache. Nagkesar paste alleviates stress, fatigue and relaxes the tensed muscles. Together it helps to manage a headache.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Nagkesar powder or as per your requirement.
b. Mix with lukewarm water and make a paste.
c. Apply it on the affected area once a day.
d. Leave it for 1-2 hours and wash off with plain water.
e. Repeat this to manage a headache.
Precautions when using Nagkesar
Advice from Experts
Ayurvedic View
Always use Nagkesar oil after diluting with coconut oil on the skin due to its Ushna (hot) nature.
Recommended Dosage of Nagkesar
- Nagkesar Powder - ¼ - ½ teaspoon or as per your requirement.
- Nagkesar Oil - 2-5 drops or as per your requirement.
Frequently asked questions
Ayurvedic View
Traditionally, Nagkesar is used for managing menstrual disorder like heavy bleeding or leucorrhea. This is because of its Kashaya (astringent) nature.
Ayurvedic View
No, Nagkesar does not cause constipation. It helps to improve your digestive fire. Nagkesar is easy to digest due to its Laghu (light to digest) property.
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.
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.