Nyctanthes Arbor-Tristis
Family : Oleaceae
Common Name : parijat
English Name : Coral Jasmine
Hindi Name : Harsingar
Telugu Name : Parijatamu
Bengali Name : Shefali
Tree Characteristics :
Coral jasmine is a large shrub or small tree with spreading branches, growing up to 10 metres tall. The plant is particularly valued for its flowers which are used in traditional medicine, as a dye and a source of an essential oil. The plant has very fragrant flowers and is widely cultivated as an ornamental in tropical and subtropical regions all over the world. It is often planted near Hindu temples in India and Sri Lanka, as well as in Malaysia and Indonesia.
Nursery:
Coral jasmine is easily propagated by seeds.Propagation is easier by seeds as cuttings are very hard to root.
Economic Uses :
Ø A saffron-yellow dye obtained from the flowers is used for colouring food
Ø The flowers contain an abundance of mannitol and are emmenagogue
Extracts of the seeds, flowers and leaves possesses immunostimulant, hepatoprotective, antileishmanial, antiviral and antifungal activities in vitro. The leaves have been used in Ayurvedic medicine and Homoeopathy for sciatica, arthritis, fevers, and as a laxative
Ø The bark may be used as a tanning material
Ø The leaves are sometimes used for polishing wood and ivory
Locally the dye is also used for dyeing cotton cloth and as a cheap substitute for saffron in colouring the robes of Buddhist priests.
