Dhataki: The Herbal Gateway to Your Well-Being: Uses, Benefits, & Side-Effects

Woodfordia Fruiticosa Dhataki Flower
Woodfordia Fruiticosa Dhataki Flower

Fermenting agent. Check. Medicinal benefits. Check. Curative properties. Check. Today, we’ll be exploring the herb that goes by the name of Dhataki.

Dhataki is a multi-purpose Ayurvedic herb that is aesthetically beautiful and medicinally useful. Having been first mentioned in the ancient Ayurvedic text – Charaka Samhita – this herb helps to heal wounds, ferment medicinal wines, promote a natural colour to urine in diabetic patients (it is also called mutra viranjniye), and increase the bulk of faeces.

Like other Ayurvedic counterparts, Dhataki/Dhatupushpi (Sanskrit name) is also known by different names such as Woodfordia Fruticosa (Botanical name), Fire Flame Bush (English name), and Dhatki/Dhatri (Hindi name).

 

“Ayurveda is not just about nutrition or herbology, it has a unique tool for diagnosis, diagnosis of understanding the human constitution is different from person to person. Each one has a unique metabolic system.” ― Maya Tiwari

 

Woodfordia Fruticosa’s Multifocal Uses

Dhatki is the foundation of all Ayurvedic polyherbal liquid medicines such as Asava and Arishta which contain self-generated alcohol. The Dhataki plant comes with bushy and deciduous shrubs and is typically found all across India (South Konkan, the Ghats, Himalayas etc.) as well as Sri Lanka. It belongs to the Plantae kingdom of plants.

Perhaps, the plant’s most striking feature and useful part is the Dhataki flower – also known as Dhataki Pushpa. This flower is beautiful, and blood-red and copper-coloured, making it difficult to miss or forget once you’ve seen it. Plus, its petals resemble fiery flames (hence the name Fire Flame Bush), whereas the leaves look like pomegranate leaves and come with a fluted stem. Along with the flowers; the fruits, leaves, and gum are used as well for addressing numerous health problems across the disease spectrum.

 

Dhataki’s Powerful Medicinal Properties

  • Astringent
  • Antioxidant
  • Immunostimulator
  • Analgesic
  • Fertility-booster
  • Anti-diarrheal
  • Uterine sedative
  • Acrid
  • Cooling agent
  • Styptic
  • Depurative
  • Antibacterial
  • Febrifuge
  • Alexeteric
  • Anti-asthmatic

Dhataki’s Medicinal Uses: At a Glance

The Dhataki herb is a God-send when it comes to promoting general well-being and boosting one’s immunity. The Dhataki plant’s diverse parts can help treat a variety of health issues such as the following:

  • Bark: The bark is used to treat conditions such as excessive thirst among diabetic patients, leprosy, opium-addicted patients, and dysentery.
  • Flowers: The flowers offer multi-purpose benefits such as treating diarrhoea, bleeding issues such as menorrhagia, wounds, nasal and rectum bleeding, etc., worm infestation, mouth ulcers, herpes, among others. Additionally, its fresh juice extract is applied topically in cases of headaches that occur due to the aggravated Pitta dosha. Alternatively, coconut oil along with Dhataki flowers can help provide relief from burns when applied locally. That’s not all. The flowers are potent tanning agents and are extensively used for dyeing purposes throughout India.
  • Powdered, Dried Flowers: When combined with honey, this mixture helps to treat loose motions. Plus, the dried flowers help to treat heart disorders.
  • Flower decoction: The decoction is used as a gargle in cases of toothache and dental issues, as well in instances of vaginal and anal prolapse. It also helps to treat menstrual pain as well as leucorrhea.
  • Roots: Its roots help in cases of rheumatism, lumbar, rib fractures, foot problems, mouth disorders, etc.

 

Did You Know?

Dhataki’s leaves and twigs are extensively used for printing as they offer a yellow dye, whereas the flowers produce a red dye.

 

Nutritional Information & Recommended Dosage

  • Powder form: 3-6 gm

Important: For all other forms of Dhataki (decoction, etc.), it is highly recommended that you speak to your doctor and understand the recommended dosage as there is no standard dosage. Better to be safe than sorry, right?

 

Medicinal Preparations using Dhatki as a Primary Ingredient

  • Aravindasavam: This Ayurvedic medicine is known to improve digestive strength in children.
  • Mustharishtam: This Ayurvedic medicine comes in handy if you’re suffering from digestive problems such as indigestion, diarrhoea, gastroenteritis, etc.
  • Sarivadyasava: This medicine treats skin troubles, gout, diabetes, etc.
  • Chandanadi Thailam: This Ayurvedic oil comes with cooling properties and helps to relieve burning sensation, among other things.
  • Kutajashtaka Kashaya: This liquid medicine helps to treat ulcerative colitis, dysentery, etc.

 

Dhataki Kusum’s Physical Characteristics

  • It is light to digest, astringent in taste pre-digestion, and pungent in taste post digestion.
  • It is dry, potent, and cold in nature.
  • It is known to balance the Pitta and Kapha doshas.

 

Dhataki’s Comprehensive Benefits: An Overview

Woodfordia Fruiticosa Dhataki Flowers Dry
Woodfordia Fruiticosa Dhataki Flowers Dry

Woodfordia Fruticosa’s benefits are well-established and known world over. Here’s a glimpse of its widely-dispersed health advantages:

 

Bloody Leucorrhea

Suggested Remedy: Take the plant’s powdered flowers and strain using a cotton cloth. Mix 1 teaspoon sugar and add this mixture to a glass of milk. You can consume it twice a day. You can also consume this mixture with cooked rice/honey.

 

Digestive Issues / Stomach Worms

Suggested remedy: Acharya Balkrishna suggests that you take a couple of Dhataki leaves and grind it to extract its juice. Consume this juice for immediate relief. Conversely, you can also consume 2 gm of the Dhataki flower’s dried powder (in divided doses), twice a day along with buttermilk/water for better taste.

 

Issues Related To Conceiving

Suggested Remedy: Take 25 gm of powdered Neel Kamal (blue lotus flower) and 25 gm of Dhataki flower powder and add mishri/sugar to it. Consume a teaspoon of this mixture for five days before the onset of menstruation.

 

Excessive Bleeding during Menstruation / Burns

Suggested Remedy: Grind a couple of Dhataki’s leaves and extract its juice. Add mishri to it and consume for 4-5 for best results. Conversely, you can take 2-3 pinches of Dhataki flower’s powder along with milk, twice a day.

 

Nasal Hemorrhage

Suggested Remedy: Take Dhataki’s leaves and grind to extract its juice. Then, put 4-4 drops in each nostril for a couple of days. Plus, to treat excessive bleeding anywhere in the body, you can mix the Dhataki’s leaves’ juice along with mishri/sugar and consume.

 

Dhataki For Liver / Spleen Diseases

Suggested Remedy: To treat an enlarged spleen or cater to liver issues, make a decoction/kadha of Dhataki’s flowers and leaves and mix it with a pinch of Kutki powder. Then consume twice a day. Alternatively, you can take 2-3 gm of Dhataki flower’s powder, add chitrak root and turmeric powder to it. Add 50 gm of jaggery and consume. For the exact dosage of the ingredients, please consult your doctor.

 

Ascites

Suggested Remedy: Take a pinch of Dhataki’s flowers and leaves in the powdered form, add to a glass of water and consume this mixture on an empty stomach for relief.

 

Tooth Pain / Diarrhoea In Children

Suggested Remedy: Take the powdered forms of Dhataki flowers and Suhaga ki kheer (Borax crystal heated on fire). Add a little honey to it and massage on the affected tooth for relief.

 

Wounds/Burns

Suggested Remedy: Take Dhataki’s bark and a little bit of chandan powder (mixed in water) and apply this paste on the wound for immediate relief. Conversely, you can grind the flower to a powder. Take 1 tablespoon of this powder and add 1/2 tablespoon of flaxseed/linseed oil to it. Then, add 1/2 teaspoon of honey to it and apply on the burnt area for relief. Additionally, you can grind its flowers in rose water and apply on the burnt spot for instant relief.

 

Diabetes

Suggested Remedy: To control diabetes, take equal quantities of Dhataki flower’s powder, Pathani Lodhra powder, and sandalwood powder. Take 1 teaspoon of this mixture along with honey thrice a day for desired benefits.

 

Dhataki For Diarrhoea / Dysentery

Suggested Remedy: Take two spoons of honey or a cup of buttermilk along with 2-3 gm of the Dhataki powder. Conversely, you can grind dry ginger, Dhataki flowers, mocharas, and celery to a fine powder. Take 1-3 gm of this mixture along with buttermilk to get relief from diarrhoea. Additionally, you can also consume 1-3 gm of Dhataki flower’s powder along with curd to stop dysentery.

 

Important: Please consult your doctor before consuming this herb in any form as a precautionary measure. It is best to seek expert guidance to understand the recommended dosage based on your body type, health history, unknown allergies, etc.

 

Dhataki Side-Effects & Precautionary Measures

Dhataki consumed within the recommended doses is considered safe. However, consuming Dhataki in excess amounts can cause delirium.



 

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Dhataki: The Herbal Gateway to Your Well-Being: Uses, Benefits, & Side-Effects
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Dhataki Herb Flower Woodfordia Fruticosa Benefits, Uses And Side Effects, Dhatki, Dhatri, Dhataki Pushpa Benefits For Bleeding And Digestive Disorders
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