Medicinal Benefits of Parijat (Night Jasmine)





Do you like flowers? Have you ever taken a stroll at night, and wondered about the sweet smell of a tree with white flowers? If you have, then I am sure your parents have called it the Parijata or Raat Ki Rani locally. This flower blooms at night and loses its brightness during the day, which is why it is also known as the Sad Tree or Arbor Tristis. It is a shrub or tree that grows about 10 meters tall and has a grey flaky bark, for which the leaves are usually six to twelve cm long and two to six cm in width.

The Parijat flower in English known as Night Jasmine is native to South and Southeast Asia. It is often mentioned in many mythological tales like Mahabharata and in Hindu religious texts, like Bhagavad Gita Purana and Vishnu Purana. This flower and its tree have amazing health properties that are not quite well known. Parijata and its parts have been used as a part of Ayurveda Medicines for Centuries.

Medicinal Uses of Parijat Leaves and Flower

Let’s look at the medicinal uses of parijat to understand how powerful this sweet smelling flower is.

To Alleviate Pain and Inflammation:

Many Ayurveda medications use the parijat essential oil to help with pain, irritation and swelling associated with health conditions like arthritis, stress, muscle tension, rheumatism and sore muscles too. It can also be used to relieve menstrual pains, headaches, sciatica, and joint aches. The night jasmine is a very strong anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory as well as a powerful analgesic which helps to reduce Kapha dosha from the body and remove excess fluids that cause inflammation and pain.

How to Use:

Mix together two ml of coconut oil and four to five drops of parijat essential oil and warm it. You can then gently massage the warm oil on the swelling followed by holding a hot compress over it.

Treat Malaria and Other Nauseous Fevers:

The leaves of the Parijat flower are often used to treat malarial fever. It can be used as a natural remedy for fevers that cause nausea, diarrhea and rising body temperature caused due to bile maladies. The leaf extracts are particularly effective against both types of malaria, even the resilient strains of Plasmodium falciparum, which is why they are also used to get rid of malaria parasites in Maharashtra and Gujarat.

How to Use:

Mix 1 ml olive oil and 2 drops of harisingar oil together. Gently rub this oil on the soles of your feet. It helps to reduce body temperature during high fever and preventing the growth of bacterial organisms that can cause fever.

Prevents Free Radical Damage:

Aging and other health issues are often caused by free radical damage to the cells in our body. This process is known as Oxidative Damage. To prevent cell damage, our body needs antioxidants. According to a research study, the night jasmine leaves have powerful antioxidant properties that can be used to effectively get rid of harmful effects of free radicals in our body. They can also be used to inhibit early signs of aging or development of cancer. Using this essential oil for a massage is one of the Ayurvedic uses of Parijat.

How to Use:

Add three drops of Harisinghar oil to two ml of Jojoba oil. Use this oil to gently massage your body. This massage helps to treat any damage caused by free radicals in our body and its consequences.

Antibacterial, Antiviral, and Antiallergic:

The Nyctanthes Arbor Tristis or the Raat Rani as it is often known as a powerful antibacterial and antiviral. According to a recent study, curing the effects of bacteria like a Staph infection, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and fungus (Aspergillus Niger) are some of the benefits of parijat oil. Not only does the parijat fights against bacteria, but it also helps to fight against the Semliki Forrest virus and Cardiovirus which causes encephalomyocarditis.

How to Use:

Mix two drops of parijat essential oil with one ml coconut oil and then apply it on any open wounds or injuries. This oil helps prevent the growth of the staph bacteria, which makes wounds septic. This mix can also be used to treat skin issues like pimples and blackheads, rashes and skin allergies effectively.

Other Benefits Are

Helps to cure lice, baldness, dandruff, and get rid of grey hair.

Used to treat anxiety and vertigo

Prevents dental issues like scurvy

One of the Parijata herb uses include treating congestion that is caused by asthma, dry cough, bronchitis etc

Can be used to treat high blood pressure

Helps to maintain glucose levels in the body

Prevents acidity and dyspepsia

Used to treat Sciatica

Provides relief from urinary infections like Strangury

Helps relieve menstrual cramps

Is used as an antidote to snake bites

Alleviates piles

Now that you have understood the medicinal benefits of Parijat, you can make use of these natural remedies when needed. However, it is very important to consult a Ayurveda Doctors in Hyderabad before using the remedy.