Rasa (Taste)
Katu, Tikta, Kashaya
The primary taste perceived on the tongue.
Shati (Spiked ginger lily)
Shati is a small shrub growing to a height of 2-3 feet and is found in the Himalayan range and mountains of Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan.
Medicinal Plant
Shati (Spiked ginger lily)
Hedychium spicatum. · Zingiberaceae
Shati is a small shrub growing to a height of 2-3 feet and is found in the Himalayan range and mountains of Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan.
Scientific Name
Hedychium spicatum.
Family
Zingiberaceae
Hindi Name
Kapur kachri, Sitruti, Kachoor
Used Part
Kaand (Rhizome )
Botanical Description
About the Shati Plant
Morphology and field-identification notes as documented in our Dravyaguna library.
Shati is a small shrub growing to a height of 2-3 feet and is found in the Himalayan range and mountains of Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan. The rhizome is white colored inside, long, bitter and has a strong odor and flavor. The leaves are 10-12 inch long, wide and smooth.
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)
Laghu, Tikshna
Physical and energetic attributes of the dravya.
Vipaka (Post-digestive Effect)
Katu
Taste that emerges after complete digestion.
Dosha Karma (Action on Doshas)
KaphaVata shamaka
Effect on Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas.
Veerya (Potency)
Anushna
Heating (ushna) or cooling (sheeta) energy.
Ayurvedic Actions (Karma)
Mukhavairasyaghna, Kasaghna, Vrananashak, Shwasahara, Shoolaghna.
Modern Phytochemistry
Chemistry & Pharmacology
How modern science maps onto the classical understanding of this dravya.
Pharmacological Action
What the Science Says
Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic, Antihistaminic, Bronchodilator, Antimicrobial,Antifungal, Antioxidant.
Phytoconstituents
Active Compounds
α-Pinene, β-Pinene, Limonene, Camphor, Linalyl acetate, β-Terpineol, β-Caryophyllene, Benzyl cinnamate, Benzyl acetate, γ-Terpinene, β-Thellandrene, Methyl paracumarin acetate, Cinnamic ethyl acetate, Ethyl cinnamate, Sesquiterpene alcohols.
Therapeutic Usage
Clinical Applications of Shati
Classical Ayurvedic indications drawn directly from the Dravyaguna tradition — paired with the preparations recommended in shastra.
01
The paste of the rhizome of Shati is applied over the area affected with joint pain and localized swelling.
02
The powder of the rhizome of Shati is used as tooth powder to treat conditions of gingivitis and bad odor of the mouth.
03
The paste of the rhizome of Hedychium spicatum is applied with sesame oil or coconut oil over the scalp region in conditions of alopecia and dandruff.
04
In the condition of sinusitis, sesame oil processed with powder of Shati is used for nasal drops.
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 Shati is a key ingredient.
- Shati Vati, Shatyadi Churna, Kachuradi Churna & Gandhashati Taila.
Shastra Pramana
Classical Reference
शठी तिक्तकटुस्तीक्ष्णा कषाया ग्राहिणी लघुः || अनुष्णा मुखवैरस्यमलदौर्गन्धनाशिनी दोषकासव्रणश्वासशूलहिध्माज्वरापहा || कै. नि भवेद्रन्धपलाशी तु कषाया ग्राहिणी लघुः । तिक्ता तीक्ष्णा च कटुकानुष्णास्यमलनाशिनी । शोथकासव्रणश्वासशूलसिध्मग्रहापहा ||(भा. प्र)