Harsingar (Parijat) Benefits, Medicinal Uses, and Side effects

Arthritis and sciatica are two of the most prevalent inflammatory diseases in the world. While arthritis refers to the inflammation of joints sciatica is marked by extreme pain in the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in our body, which runs from the lower back to the ankles. Physical therapy and strong antibiotics are the only two methods currently available for the treatment of both these conditions The latter, as we know usually come with their own set of side effects. In this time of need, researchers are finally moving towards herbal and ayurvedic remedies. Ayurvedic doctors suggest a decoction of harsingar leaves for relieving arthritis.

(Consult doctor online)

A recent animal study indicates that leaf extracts of this night-blooming jasmine are found to be an excellent anti-inflammatory agent. However, it is always advisable to check in with your Ayurveda doctor before taking harsingar in any form.

Read more: Exercises for sciatica pain

Development of resistant strains of microorganisms in the world has made it important to look for alternative treatments for infectious diseases. Antibiotic overuse usually makes an organism resistant to the said drug.

Read more: What is antibiotic resistance

Now, researchers claim that ayurvedic herbs have long since evolved along with these bacteria. Hence, it’ll be difficult for these microbes to develop resistance against these plant-based drugs.  Ayurveda and folk medicine recognize harsingar as an effective antimicrobial agent. In two different studies, the harsingar extract was made into different solvents to check the best method of using this herb. It was found that different extracts showed efficiency against different kind of microbes. The study used water, ethanol, methanol, and chloroform as solvent and found the extracts to be useful in killing a wide range of bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Listeria, Klebsiella etc. However, you should ask your ayurvedic doctor before taking harsingar for any of these conditions.

Read more: Precautions to take with antibiotics

Are you suffering from a constant cough? Does your throat feel congested and irritated? Doctors suggest that this could be a sign of an infected throat or lungs. Cough is the body’s natural response to an obstructed respiratory system (lungs, nose, respiratory tubes). But an infection or an allergy may cause it to worsen and stay. In Ayurveda, a tea made from harsingar leaves and flowers is used for relieving cough, cold, and bronchitis.

Recent studies suggest that ethanol extract of hasingar is an excellent bronchodilator (dilates the throat muscles). The study also hinted that harsingar may have a future as a remedy for asthma.

Additionally, harsingar is claimed to be a potent anti-inflammatory. Thus, the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory action of this plant can help kill any bacterial infection and soothe your throat muscles. It is always suggested to talk to your ayurvedic doctor to know the right dosage of harsingar for you.

Read more: Home remedies for cough

Harsingar is a known antipyretic (reduces fever) in the traditional system of medicine. Ayurvedic doctors suggest harsingar tea for reducing long-term fevers. Recent studies suggest that bark extracts of harsingar may be useful as an antipyretic. However, in the absence of human studies, it is best to talk to your ayurvedic doctor to understand the uses of harsingar as an antipyretic.

(Read more: What to eat and what not to eat in fever)

Ayurveda has long since used parijat for its immunity building benefits. Lab studies were done to test the immunostimulatory effect of parijat and it was found that ethanolic extracts of parijat leaves stimulate both humoral (antibody-mediated) and cell-mediated (mediated by immune cells other than antibodies) arms of immunity. However, more studies are needed in this field. So, it’s better to ask your ayurveda doctor to better understand the immune building action of parijat.

(Read more: Immunity boosting foods)

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite, Plasmodium. The disease is characterized by fever, muscular pain, and vomiting which turn to convulsions and high fever in extreme stages. When left untreated, malaria has a tendency to be life-threatening. Indian traditional medicine uses harsingar for alleviating malaria symptoms.

Numerous studies have been done to test the usefulness of harsingar in reducing symptoms of malaria. And they hint the ayurvedic claim to be true. In a recent study, 20 patients with malaria were given harsingar leaf paste for a period of one week and it was found that half of the patients showed a marked decrease in malaria fever and parasite concentration in body. The study further claims that these patients showed a significant reduction in inflammation.

Additionally, improvement in blood platelets levels and overall function of body organs were also noted. So, it can be safely said that harsingar has a bright future as an antimalarial herb.

Read more: Home remedies for malaria

Harsingar leaves are known to be used in lowering blood sugar levels. Animal Studies suggest that flower extracts of harsingar have a potent anti-diabetic effect. Due to the absence of human studies, its best to ask your ayurveda doctor for understanding the anti-diabetic effects of harsingar.

Read more: Diabetes treatment

A number of different worms are counted as intestinal parasites, including roundworms, flatworms, and hookworms. This infection is generally marked by intestinal discomfort, diarrhoea and in occasional cases anaemia. Doctors attribute infected food, poor hygiene, and sanitation as the primary causes of this problem. Harsingar is one of the most common ayurvedic remedies for intestinal worms. However, most scientific studies to confirm the anthelmintic effects of harsingar are on animal-based models. In the absence of clinical studies it is best to refer to an ayurveda doctor to know the potential antihelminthic effects of this herb on humans.

Read more: Deworming for adults

Aromatherapy and herbalism use night jasmine oil or harsingar oil for its calming benefits. Animal studies indicate that leaf extract of harsingar may have some anti-anxiety and calming properties. Further studies suggest that harsingar extracts Increase the serotonin levels in our brain which is a sleep-inducing hormone. But, clinical studies are still needed to validate the effectivity of this herb.

Read more: Anxiety causes

Harsingar or parijat is well known in traditional systems of medicine for its wound healing properties (both external and internal) and for its use in treating fractured bones. But no convincing study has yet been done to confirm these healing benefits of harsingar for humans.

Harsingar is a blessing for skin. Traditional medicine finds a lot of skin healing benefits of harsingar. Lab studies suggest that flower extracts of this plant are an excellent antioxidant. This makes it the perfect candidate for fighting free radical associated damage in our body. Free radical or reactive oxygen species are toxic to all the major organs of body. An over-accumulation of free radicals, either due to stress or other physical and physiological factors would lead to reduction in the overall efficiency of body functions. Thus, as an antioxidant, harsingar may be potent in improving our work efficiency and fighting the premature signs of ageing like dark spots and skin blemishes.

Read more: How to get clear skin fast

As an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent, this herb may have a use as a remedy for a number of skin problems. However, it is best to talk to your doctor before using harsingar in any form.

Harsingar is known as a remedy for hair loss in ayurveda. Ayurvedic doctors suggest a decoction (kadha or tea) of harsingar seeds for dandruff and hair lice. Flowers of harsingar are known to be nourishing for hair and are used traditionally to get longer and healthier hairs. While there is no direct research for testing the actions of this plant on hair, its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties are worth mentioning here. This means that harsingar may have a potential in not only alleviating common scalp conditions but also prevent the premature falling of hairs and providing relief from most common hair ailments.

Read more: Hair growth treatment and tips