Parijat

Parijat, primarily known as Harshringar, is also known as the flower for Gods, and it holds significant importance in tradition and culture. It is believed that the plant was brought to earth by Lord Krishna. The flowers are used in spiritual activities.

Parijat grows as a shrub or small tree with a flaky bark, up to 10 metres tall. The plant has sweet-smelling white flowers that spread its fragrance where it grows. The flowers usually bloom in late September or December.

The plant is used in ancient Ayurveda and Homeopathy because of its ornamental properties, and it heals the mind and body. The Parijat tree is widely grown in tropical and subtropical areas, especially in the northern plains and states of Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha.

Parijat is known by different names in different states of India. The botanical name of Parijat is Nyctanthes Arbor Tristis. 

• In English, Parijat is known as night flowering Jasmine or Coral Jasmine.  
• In Sanskrit, it’s called “Shuklangi,” “Rajapushpi,” etc. 
• Parijat is commonly referred to as Harsingar or Raat ki Rani in Hindi. Bengali people call Parijat “Shefalika” or “Shivuli,” 
• In Telugu, it is referred to as “Parijatamu.” 
• The Gujarati and Kannada names of the Parijat plant are “Harshanagar” and “Parijath” respectively. 

The Parijat plant is well-known for its natural ornamental and healing properties that promote overall well-being. The different parts of the plant are enriched with natural compounds that make it a functional component in the holistic science of herbal remedies. 

• The leaves of the Parijat plant contain nyctanthin, Iridoid glycosides, mannitol, beta-amyrin, beta-sitosterol, hentriacontane, astragalin, nicotiflorin, oleanolic acid, fructose, glucose, carotene, methyl salicylates, ascorbic acid, benzoic acid, and glycosides. 
• The flowers of Parijat contain natural essential oils that are incredibly beneficial and have antifungal and antiviral properties, which help to cure many infections and skin and hair-related diseases.
• The bark is also rich in alkaloids and glycosides.

There are various Harsingar benefits for the body. Some of them are discussed below:

• Regulates and Controls Diabetes 

The anti-glycemic factor of Parijat makes it an excellent herb that plays a vital role in managing the body's blood sugar levels. It improves the overall metabolism as it is bitter and astringent, which helps regulate diabetes effectively. 

• Improves digestion 

Parijat is efficacious in improving gut health and helps to ease gastrointestinal problems like diarrhoea, indigestion, and stomach pain. Consuming Parijat juice helps to reduce abdominal distension, abdominal gas, and bloating. It helps in managing chronic constipation as it works a laxative.

• Manages the blood pressure 

Being a natural antihypertensive agent, Parijat helps normalize blood pressure levels and keep them in control. It improves cardiovascular functions and overall heart health, which helps stabilize blood pressure.

• Helps in Respiratory issues

Parijat is useful in managing various respiratory diseases like sore throat, infection, common cold, and flu. It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial components that may help deal with respiratory issues. Parijat has anti-asthmatic properties that help to ease asthmatic symptoms. 

• Promotes healthy hair and scalp

The antimicrobial and antibacterial properties of Parijat promote maintaining a healthy scalp and overall hair growth. It helps enhance blood circulation in the hair follicles and controls hair health concerns like alopecia and dandruff. Regularly using Parijat oil helps improve the texture and growth of the hair.

Parijat is a versatile plant with many uses, from rejuvenating the whole body to using it for various rituals and worship.

Some of the common uses of Parijat are as follows :

• Useful in Malaria 

In traditional medicine, Parijat was used to manage malaria, which is a mosquito-borne disease with intense symptoms like high fever, muscular pain, vomiting, and convulsions. 

The Parijat leaves benefits in this condition as its anti-parasitic properties help control the parasite's growth and relieve fever and other symptoms. 

• Helps Manage Rheumatism

Because of its medicinal properties, Parijat can be used in remittent fever. The Parijat leaves help to manage constipation effectively, which prevents the formation of piles.

• Helps with wounds and infections 

Parijat is recognized for its ornamental properties. The bioactive compounds present in the Harsingar help manage wounds and infections. It has antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties, which help to heal wounds and remove germs and bacteria from the body. It is also effective in healing infections like ulcers, skin fungus, and sores.

• Supports Hair Health

Parijata seed paste can be applied in cases of alopecia. It has anti-microbial action and may help promote hair growth. 

• Used in fragrances and scents 

Parijat has a sweet-smelling aroma, and that’s why it is famous as coral jasmine. Due to its unique aroma and pleasant and delicate fragrance, it is used to make perfumes and traditional scents called attar. The flowers are extracted and are used to make essential oils, perfumes, incense, scented candles, and other aromatherapy products.

• Used in worshipping and traditional ceremonies 

Parijat flowers are offered to deities during festivals like Durga Pooja in Hindu worshipping practices. The flowers make garlands and spiritual activities, symbolising purity, devotion, and immortality. 

Parijat is an all-rounder and one-stop herb for various types of illness and health problems. However, it is recommended that you get advice from your doctor while consuming it. People under the following conditions should take advice from healthcare professionals or avoid using parijat:

• Pregnant Women

Pregnant women should take proper advice and dosage recommendations from their doctors as it might cause side effects and may interact with other medications that they are using. 

• Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding women should consult a doctor before adding parijat to their diet or supplement because it might cause allergies, which can affect the infant. 

• Allergies

If you are suffering from allergies, identify your trigger and consult with your healthcare provider before taking parijat because it might be a trigger to your allergy.

• Children

Children should be given the recommended dosage as prescribed by the doctor, as overconsumption can cause other problems like dizziness, nausea, stomach discomfort, and liver-related issues.

• People on Medications

If you are taking allopathic medicines for blood pressure, diabetes, or any other ailment, you should avoid the consumption of parijat as it might interact with the drugs and can cause problems like allergies and gastrointestinal diseases.

Praijat can be consumed for various health benefits in multiple forms. The Parijat leaves uses are described below:

1. Herbal Kadha

Parijat is effective in managing various flu and throat infections because of its antibacterial properties. Consuming herbal kadha is beneficial in soothing sore throat, fever, body aches, cold, and cough and boosting overall immunity. Here are the steps to use it:

• To prepare the parijat kadha, wash some fresh leaves of the herb and boil it in 2-3 cups of water for 20 minutes. 
• You can add additional ingredients like ginger and black pepper. 
• Strain the herbal tea and consume it twice for best results.

2. Parijat Powder

You can make parijat powder using the dried leaves of the plant. Here are the steps to use parijat powder:

• Take 2-3 spoons of parijat powder in warm water.
• Stir it till it forms a uniform consistency.
• Drink the herbal tea once daily.
• It is recommended that you use it regularly for practical benefits. It improves digestion, helps reduce joint pains and arthritis, and manages chronic fever caused by malaria.

3. Parijat Paste

Because of its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties, Parijat helps manage various fungal infections, wounds, etc. Here is how you can make a paste for usage:

• Crush the Parijat leaves.
• Add some water to form a thick paste effectively.
• Apply it to the area wherever required. 

4. Essential Oils

Harsingar plant benefits in managing depression as it has calming properties, and hence, it helps ease stress and promote relaxation. Here is how you can use essential oil made out of Parijat leaves:

• Massage the essential oil by mixing it with your preferred massage oil.
• Apply thoroughly to the scalp or use it to massage individual body parts. Eg: In case of muscle spasms, one can massage the affected area.
• Recommended for regular use.

After consulting with your doctor, it is recommended that you use Parijat, as it might have some side effects. The recommended dosage of Parijat is as follows:

• Parijat Juice: You should not consume more than 10-20 ml daily. Consult your doctor about the dosage if you are on some medication.
• Parijat Powder: 1-3 grams of powder once or twice daily, as the physician recommends.
• Parijat Decoction: You can take 10-20 ml once or twice daily by adding the concoction to your regular diet. However, if you are suffering from diabetes or high blood pressure or taking allopathic medicines, consult your doctor before consuming them.

Parijat should be used carefully as it might interact with other medications and cause several problems. You should avoid consuming parijat if you are:

• Consuming nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Since parijat is a natural anti-inflammatory herb, its interaction with NSAIDs can cause a distressed stomach and nausea.
• If you have autoimmune diseases and are taking allopathic medications for their cure, avoid using parijat because it might reduce the efficiency of the ongoing medications and cause several other problems.
• If you are taking blood thinning medicines like warfarin, you should not consume parijat as it helps in clotting blood and can be fatal if consumed without proper prescription.

• Health Benefits: Parijat can be effective in supporting the management of malaria, diabetes, and blood pressure, and it can help support immunity, manage stress levels, and promote overall health and well-being.
• Forms: Parijat can be used in the form of juice, powder, paste, capsules, and essential oils.
• Precautions: Parijat has few side effects if consumed without proper dosage. It can cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and stomach discomfort.