Nagkeshar
- Botanical Name: Mesua ferrea Linn.
- Family: Calophyllaceae (formerly Guttiferae)
- Synonyms: Nagakesara, Nagapuspa, Kanakahva, Hemapushpa, Champeya
- Vernacular Name: Commonly known as “Ceylon Ironwood,” “Cobra’s Saffron,” or
“Indian Rose Chestnut.”
- Classification: A medium-sized evergreen tree belonging to the Calophyllaceae family.
- Habitat: Native to tropical regions of Sri Lanka and India. Found in the Eastern and
Western Ghats, Andaman Islands, and other tropical rainforests.
- Morphology: A slow-growing tree that can reach up to 30 meters in height. It has dark
ash-grey bark, lanceolate leaves with a glossy green surface, and fragrant white flowers with
golden-yellow stamens. The fruits are globose capsules containing 1-2 seeds.
- Useful Parts: Flowers (stamens), seeds, bark, and wood.
- Chemical Composition: Contains mesuol, mammeisin, mesuaferrone, euxanthone, and
bioflavonoids. The flowers are rich in essential oils and oleoresins.
- Pharmacological Action: Known for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antipyretic,
antispasmodic, and wound-healing properties. It is used in treating fever, migraines,
vomiting, and urinary tract infections.
- Formulation: Used in Ayurvedic preparations like Chyawanprash, Nagkesaradi Churna,
and herbal oils for pain relief.
Rasa: Kashaya Tikta
Guna: Ruksha , Laghu
Virya: Ushna
Vipaka: Katu