नागकेशर

• 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