Nyctanthes Arbortristis-

  Herbal Aurvedic Medicine

Constituents: The leaves and seeds contain iridoid glycosides. The other constituents reported from the leaves are mannitol, beta-amyrin, beta-sitosterol, hentriacontane, benzoic acid, astragalin, nicotiflorin, oleanolic acid, nyctanthic acid friedelin and lupeol. The seeds containa polysaccharide glucomannan.

Uses/Benefit : In Ayurveda Nyctanthes Arbortristis leaves are extensively used for treatment of variety of diseases such as chronic fever, cough, rheumatism, parasitic worms, constipation etc. The leaves juice is bitter in taste and works as a tonic. White-orange aromatic flowers on oral administration tones stomach, prevents gas formation, astringent to bowel, prevents excess bile secretion by liver, cures cough. The corolla tube is bright orange in colour due to nyctanthin, which is similar to colouring substance of saffron. The leaves are antibacterial, antiinflammatory and anthelmintic. Further, a dye extracted from the corolla tube is used to lend colour to tussore Silk. The flowers are bitter astringent, opthalmic, stomachic and carminative. It is an expectorant, bitter and tonic, febrifuge, and mild purgative. It is used in bilious and obstinate remittent fever, sciatica, and rheumatism. It is also very useful in constipation of children. The leaves are bitter and acrid. It is being used to treat fever, fungal skin infection and also dry cough. It is used in treatment of bronchitis and also as an antidote to snakebite.