Rasa (Taste)
Kashaya, Tikta
The primary taste perceived on the tongue.
Nagakeshara (Cobra saffron, Iron wood tree)
It is a medium sized tree with straight trunk.
Medicinal Plant
Nagakeshara (Cobra saffron, Iron wood tree)
Mesua ferrea Linn. · Calothyllaceae
It is a medium sized tree with straight trunk.
Scientific Name
Mesua ferrea Linn.
Family
Calothyllaceae
Hindi Name
Nagakeshara
Used Part
Keshara (Stamens)
Botanical Description
About the Nagakeshara Plant
Morphology and field-identification notes as documented in our Dravyaguna library.
It is a medium sized tree with straight trunk. Bark is Smooth, ash coloured. Leaves are simple, opposite, oblong, lanceolate, acute tip.
Flowers are solitary or in pairs, sub sessile, fragrant, petals are bright white in color, stamens are numerous and golden yellow. Fruits are ovoid, pericarp is tough and semi woody. Seeds are 1- 4 angular, smooth and brown coloured.
Ayurvedic Properties
Rasa Panchaka — Classical Properties
The five-fold framework Ayurveda uses to describe a drug — Rasa, Guna, Vipaka, Veerya and its effect on the doshas.
Guna (Qualities)
Ruksha, Laghu
Physical and energetic attributes of the dravya.
Vipaka (Post-digestive Effect)
Katu
Taste that emerges after complete digestion.
Dosha Karma (Action on Doshas)
Kapha Pitta Shamaka
Effect on Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas.
Veerya (Potency)
Ushna
Heating (ushna) or cooling (sheeta) energy.
Ayurvedic Actions (Karma)
Pachana, Jwaraghna, Kandughna, Trishnahara, Dourgandhyahara, Kushthaghna, Hrillasanashaka, Shophahara.
Modern Phytochemistry
Chemistry & Pharmacology
How modern science maps onto the classical understanding of this dravya.
Pharmacological Action
What the Science Says
Astringent, Stomachic, Aromatic, Stimulant, Carminative, Appetizer, Antiemetic, Tonic, Digestant, Haemostatic, Cardiotonic.
Phytoconstituents
Active Compounds
Mesuol, Mammeisin, Mammeigin, Mesuagin, Mesuaferrone-A, Mesuaferrone-B.
Therapeutic Usage
Clinical Applications of Nagakeshara
Classical Ayurvedic indications drawn directly from the Dravyaguna tradition — paired with the preparations recommended in shastra.
01
Usage of Nagakeshara powder will check blood mixed diarrhoea.
02
Regular usage of combination of Nagakeshara butter and sugar will cure bleeding piles.
03
Intake of Nagakeshara mixed with sugar, honey, sugarcane juice and Madhuka will relieve from Hikka (Hiccough).
Always consult a qualified Ayurvedic physician before using any herb therapeutically. Dose, anupana and Prakriti-specific suitability matter.
Yoga / Kalpana
Classical Formulations
Common Ayurvedic preparations where Nagakeshara is a key ingredient.
- Lavana Bhaskar Churna, Chandanadi Taila, Eladi Churna, Haridrakhanda, Pippalyadyasava.
Shastra Pramana
Classical Reference
दौंर्गन्ध्यकुष्ठवीसर्प कफपित्त विषापहम् ।। (भा.प्र. कर्पूरादि वर्ग 70-71) केशरो नागपुष्प कषायोष्णो लघुः स्मृतः। वातानुबन्धि पित्तस्य भेषजं परमं मतम् ॥ अधोगे रक्तपित्ते तु रक्तार्शसि तृषि ज्वरे । त्वग्दोषे विषजुष्टे च नागकेशर इष्यते ॥ (प्रि.नि. हरीतक्यादि वर्ग 98-99)