Botanical Name

Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L.

Family

Oleaceae.

Synonyms

Bruschia macrocarpa Bertol., Nyctanthes dentata Blume, Nyctanthes tristis Salisb., Parilium arbor-tristis (L.) Gaertn., Scabrita scabra L., Scabrita triflora L.

Regional Name

English : Night jasmine or Coral jasmine, Hindi: Binari, Harshingar, Harsingar, Harsinghar, Parijaat, Sanskrit : Atyuha, Harashingarpushpaka, Harasimgara, Kharapatraka, Shefalika,  Kannada: Parijatha, Harasinga gida, Harasingaar, Harisringi, Harisryngi, Malayalam : Manapu, Manjapu, Manjapumaram, Mannappu, Manpumaram, Munjapu, Marathi : Kharasli, Khurasli, Khurasoi, Parijath, Paarijaath, Paarizhatak, Tamil : Manjapu, Manjatpu, Paimpon, Telugu: Parijatamu, Pagadmalle, Kaaruchiya, Bengali : Shefalika, Shivuli, Guajarati : Harshanagar, Assamese : Night Jasmine.

Part Used

Leaf, Seeds & Flower.

Description

Harsingar is a shrub or a small tree growing up to 10 m (33 ft) tall, with flaky grey bark. This species is probably native of India, globally distributed in Indo-Malesia. Within India, it has been recorded in sub-himalayan regions, Central India and Southern Western Ghats. The leaves are opposite, simple, 6–12 cm (2.4–4.7 in) long and 2–6.5 cm (0.79–2.56 in) broad, with an entire margin. The flowers are fragrant, with a five- to eight-lobed white corolla with an orange-red centre; they are produced in clusters of two to seven together, with individual flowers opening at dusk and finishing at dawn. The fruit is a flat brown heart-shaped to round capsule 2 cm (0.79 in) diameter, with two sections each containing a single seed

Phytoconstituents

Leaves contains D-mannitol, β Amyrin, β Sitosterol, flavanol glycosides, Hentriacontane, Astragalin, Nicotiflorin, Oleanolic acid, Nyctanthic acid, Tannic acid, Ascorbic acid, Methyl salicylate, Amorphous glycoside, Amorphous resin, trace of Volatile oil, Carotene, friedeline, lupeol, mannitol,  glucose, fructose, iridoid glycosides, and benzoic acid. Flowers contain Essential oils, Tannins, Nyctanthin, D-mannitol, Glucose, Carotenoids, Glycosides including β-Monogentiobioside ester of α-crocetin (or crocin-3), β-monogentiobioside-β-D monoglucoside ester of α-crocetin, and β-digentiobioside ester of α-crocetin.

Ayurvedic Properties

Rasa : Tikta, Guna : Laghu, Ruksha, Vipaka : Katu, Virya : Ushna (Hot), Karma : Kaphavata shamaka (reduces vitiated kapha and vata dosha).

Ayurvedic Applications

Pachana, Depana, Vrushya, Jwara, Pradara, Raktadosha, Sotha, Kasa, Antrasula.

Medicinal Uses

It is used for treatment of alopecia, sciatica, constipation, piles, ring worm, intestinal parasites, intestinal worms and poisoning. The leaves are given for treating liver disorders, chronic fever, rheumatism, arthritis, pain, swelling, joint pain, obstinate sciatica, high blood pressure, diabetes, Cough, Malaria, cholagogue and laxative.