Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Astringent (Kashaya)
- Quality (Guna)
- Laghu, Ruksha
- Potency (Virya)
- Cold (Sheeta)
- Also Known As
- Sanskrit: धातकी, ताम्रपुष्पी, बहुपुष्पी, वह्निज्वाला, मधुपुष्पी
Hindi: धातकी, धावडी, धाय
What is Axle-wood Tree (Dhowa / धौरा)?
Dhava (Axle-wood) is a large deciduous tree found throughout India in dry deciduous forests. The bark and gum are the main medicinal parts. The bark is highly astringent and used in diarrhea and dysentery. The gum (Ghatti gum or Indian gum) is used as a substitute for Gum Arabic. The bark decoction is used for wound washing. The timber is very hard and used for making axles. The bark yields about 10-12% tannin on analysis. Dose: Bark decoction 1-2 tola. Verse: 31.
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 5
Therapeutic Actions (Karma)
- Grahi (absorbent — primary action)
- Raktastambhana (hemostatic)
- Atisara hara (anti-diarrheal)
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 1
How to Use Dhataki by Condition
Explore how Dhataki is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.
▶ Classical Text References (3 sources)
References in Charaka Samhita
Ghee cooked with the paste of the fruits of kutaja (Holarrhina antidysenterica), nagkeshar (Mesua ferrea), nilkamal (Nelumbo nucifera), lodhara (Symplocus racemosa) and dhataki (Woodfordia fruticosa) should be administered in bleeding hemorrhoids associated with pain.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)
The paste of ingredients like hribera, utpala, lodhra, majitha, chavya chandana, patha, atisa, bilva, dhataki, devadaru, bark of daruharidra, nagaramotha, jatamamsi, musta, yavakshara and chitraka should be made then added 4 times juice of changeri and cooked with ghee as per ghrita siddha.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)
Take equal quantity of nagara, ativisha, musta, dhataki, rasanjana, bark and fruit of vatsaka, bilva, patha and katuki and powder together, is known as nagaradya churna explained by krishnatreyena.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 15: Digestive Disorders Treatment (Grahani Chikitsa / ग्रहणीचिकित्सा)
) and dhataki (Woodfordia fruticosa Kurz.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 25: Wound Management (Dwivraniya Chikitsa / द्विव्रणीयचिकित्सा)
) should be applied thereon or the powder of panchavalkala mixed with that of sukti bhasma (pearl ash) or the powder of dhataki and lodhra should be applied.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 25: Wound Management (Dwivraniya Chikitsa / द्विव्रणीयचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 15: Digestive Disorders Treatment (Grahani Chikitsa / ग्रहणीचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 25: Wound Management (Dwivraniya Chikitsa / द्विव्रणीयचिकित्सा)
References in Sharangadhara Samhita
From Dhataki (Woodfordia fruticosa) and similar, the flowers are collected.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 1: Paribhashakathana (Definitions)
Also: Lajjalu (Mimosa pudica), Dhataki (Woodfordia fruticosa), Bilva (Aegle marmelos), Patha (Cissampelos pareira), Mocharasa (Bombax ceiba resin), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), and Ativisha (Aconitum heterophyllum) — each one Pala (approx.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 8: Avalehakalpana (Confection/Electuary Preparations)
Lajjalu (Mimosa pudica), Dhataki (Woodfordia fruticosa), Bilva (Aegle marmelos), Patha (Cissampelos pareira), Mocharasa (Bombax ceiba resin), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), and Ativisha (Aconitum heterophyllum) — each one Pala (approx.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 8: Avalehakalpana (Confection/Electuary Preparations)
768 g) of Dhataki flowers (Woodfordia fruticosa) and place in two Dronas (approx.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 10: Asavarishta-Sandhanakalpana (Fermented Preparations)
Also: Shatapushpa (Anethum sowa — dill), Hingupatri (Ferula foetida leaf), Akallaka (a type of aromatic), Utingana, the two Punarnavas — Rakta and Shveta (Boerhaavia diffusa), Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa), and Dhataki flowers (Woodfordia fruticosa) for fermentation.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 10: Asavarishta-Sandhanakalpana (Fermented Preparations)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 1: Paribhashakathana (Definitions); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 8: Avalehakalpana (Confection/Electuary Preparations); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 10: Asavarishta-Sandhanakalpana (Fermented Preparations)
References in Sushruta Samhita
Prepared from patali, arjuna, shriparni, dhataki, dhatri (amla), and bilva (bael).
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 12: Raktabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Blood-type Conjunctivitis)
With Dhava, Karnaka, Kubha, Dhataki (Woodfordia fruticosa), and Induki, along with the Kakolya group of herbs, a drink with ghee is recommended.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 31: Revatipratishedha
Also priyangu, madhuka, ambashtha, dhataki, shilaparni, manjishtha, lodhra, and lac with kapittha juice.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 21: Chapter 21
The Priyangvadi Gana consists of: priyangu, samajña, dhataki, punnaga, nagapushpa, chandana, kuchandan, mocharasa, sanjana, kumbhi, kastotoja, padmakesara, yojanavalli, and dirghamula (verse 45).
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 38: Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs
The Ambashthadi Gana consists of: ambashtha, dhataki flower, samajña, katvanga, madhuka, bilva, peshika, savara, rodhra, palasha, nandivriksha, and padmakeshara (verse 46).
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 38: Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 12: Raktabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Blood-type Conjunctivitis); Uttara Tantra, Chapter 31: Revatipratishedha; Uttara Tantra, Chapter 21: Chapter 21; Sutra Sthana, Chapter 38: Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.