Nagkesar - Ochrocarpus Longifolius - Cobra'S Saffron

Mesua ferrea Linn, popularly known as Nagkesar in Hindi and Ceylon ironwood in English, is a decorative and medicinal tree. Mesua ferrea, also known as nagkesar, is a medium to large-sized evergreen tree with a short stem that is found in Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu, the Western and Eastern Ghats of India.

Nagkesar's Therapeutic Applications and Benefits:

Nagkesar is an essential element in Jawarish Shehryaran, a liver tonic, and Hab Pachuluna, an appetiser. It is also useful in the treatment of fever and nausea. In Thai medicine, Nagkesar has been used as an expectorant (to treat cough), diuretic (to remove excess water from the body), and antipyretic (to reduce fever). It has analgesic (pain-relieving), hemostatic (stopping bleeding), anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-fungal, antimalarial, anti-arthritic, anti-oxidant, and antivenom activities. Nagkesar is used to cure a number of illnesses, either alone or in combination with other herbal medicines. 

Nagkesar Seed Applications

The oil extracted from its seeds relieves itching. To reduce inflammation, oil derived from Nagkesar seeds is utilised.  

Nagkesar has the following advantages in Piles:

Bleeding disorders are caused by a pitta (heat) dosha imbalance. Nagkesar is beneficial in the treatment of bleeding piles because it helps to balance the body's heat by pacifying pitta dosha. Piles, also known as haemorrhoids, are enlarged blood vessels that can develop inside or outside of the anus. With constant throbbing pain and blood stools, this makes defecating difficult.

Nagkesar aids in the reduction of pile lumps, as well as the reduction of inflammation, pain, and bleeding. The paste made from Nagkesar flowers can be used to cure piles. 

Nagkesar's Arthritis Benefits:

Arthritis is caused by a Vata dosha imbalance and the accumulation of Ama (toxins) in the joints. Nagkesar's Ushana (heat) characteristic helps to regulate Vata dosha and reduces joint discomfort. 

Nagkesar's Skin Benefits:

Nagkesar kernels can aid with skin eruptions. Nagkesar oil can be used to treat skin diseases, scabies, and wounds. Nagkesar has antibacterial and disinfectant qualities as well. Nagkesar combined with red sandalwood can be mixed into a paste and applied to the skin to remove black markings on the face and achieve luminous complexion. 

Nagkesar's Effects on the Central Nervous System:

Nagkesar is an anticonvulsant that has been used to treat seizures. Nagkesar has also been shown to produce central nervous system depressive effects such as decrease of muscular tone, ptosis (drooping of the upper eyelids), and sleepiness.