Parijat
Parijat is also known as Harsingar or Night Jasmine. Its botanical name is Nyctanthes arbor-tristis and it belongs to Oleaceae family.Parijat is native to Southeast Asia and South Asia. It is a small tree or a shrub growing up to 33 feet tall with a grey flaky back. The leaves are quite broad with a margin. The flowers look breathtaking with 5-8 white corolla petals, having an orangish-red centre. The fruit bears a brown round to heart shaped capsule of 2 cm diameter containing a single seed.
Chemical Components –
The leaves of parijat contains benzoic acid, fructose, glucose, carotene, amorphous resin, ascorbic acid, tannic acid, oleanolic acid and flavanol glycosides.
The flowers have essential oils and glycosides. The seeds contain palmitic, oleic and myristic acids.
The back of this plant is also useful as it contains alkaloids and glycosides content.
Properties –
• Antifungal
• Antiallergic
• Antibacterial
• Antiviral
• Antiarthritic
• Antileishmanial
• Antioxidant
• Hepatoprotective
• Immunostimulant
Useful Part –
Leaves, bark, and flowers of parijat are used for various medicinal purposes.
Dosage –
• Parijat juice – 10 to 20 ml once a day
• Parijat powder – 1 to 3 gm once or twice a day
• Parijat capsule – 1to 2 capsules once or twice a day
Health Benefits –
Parijat has some very good health benefits in certain disturbing diseases which are as follows-
• Chikungunya and Dengue
In Chikungunya and Dengue, the platelet count of patient deteriorates rapidly. In such cases this herb can be used as a remedial measure to increase the blood platelet count as quickly as possible.
It should be taken along with other herbs in decoction or in the crude form. It s bones its effects as soon as 3 days.
• Arthritis and Sciatica
It is recommended to boil the powder extracted from the herb in a cup of water and consume it immediately for instant relief. It gives better results if it is used for on regular basis.
• Cough
It usually helps in relieving cough and if consumed daily it can reduce the symptoms to a greater extent.
• Asthma
Although it doesn’t cure asthma, but it does reduce the symptoms and makes it easier for a person to breathe without any hurdle.
• Malaria and other fevers
The leaves contain beneficial soothing and healing properties which make it ideal to get rid of malaria parasites.
• Prevents Radical damage to the body
It has strong antioxidants which can easily get rid of the detrimental effects of free radicals. Other than this, it can also be used to prevent the development of cancer cells and fights early signs of aging.
• Laxative
It is a substitute for laxatives and performs much better.
• Prevents gas
Regular consumption of parijat treats gas related problems easily.
Side Effects –
Parijat doesn’t have a lot of fatal side effects, but anything consumed in excess can be very detrimental for health. It has an extremely bitter taste, so for people who are very sensitive with taste, can experience slight nausea if they cannot bear the taste.
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