Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Pungent (Katu), Bitter (Tikta)
- Quality (Guna)
- Sharp (Tikshna), Unctuous (Snigdha)
- Potency (Virya)
- Hot (Ushna)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Pungent (Katu)
- Key Constituents
- Resin, fatty oil, tannins
- Also Known As
- English: Large-leaved Croton
Sanskrit: नागदन्ती
Hindi: नागदन्ती, पुतरी, मलयगिरी
What is Nagadanti?
Some Ayurvedic herbs are gentle enough for the kitchen. Nagadanti is not one of them. It is a classical purgative, a plant whose job is to clear the bowels forcefully, and it belongs in a physician's hands.
Nagadanti (नागदन्ती), recorded botanically as Croton oblongifolius Roxb. and also associated with Baliospermum montanum, is known in English as Large-leaved Croton and in Hindi as Nagadanti, Putari and Malayagiri. The Bhavaprakash Nighantu describes it as a variety of Croton that grows mainly in hilly regions, whose small, round fruits and seeds are used medicinally.
What sets it apart is its strength relative to its relatives. The text places its purgative action close to that of Danti, but milder and less drastic than Jayapala, a more drastic purgative in the same group.
Benefits of Nagadanti
Purgation (Virechana)
Nagadanti's main action is purgation (Virechana). Its pungent (Katu) and bitter (Tikta) taste, sharp (Tikshna) quality and heating potency (Ushna Virya) make it a strong mover, used in classical treatment of abdominal diseases.
Swelling and Inflammation
The Bhavaprakash Nighantu lists it as reducing swelling (Shothahara), which links it on this site to inflammation.
Vata and Kapha Disorders
It is described as useful in disorders of Vata and Kapha, and listed as alleviating both. Its heat and sharpness counter the cold, heavy and stagnant qualities these doshas share.
Classical Formulas
The Charaka Samhita includes Nagadanti in a medicated buffalo ghee, with Trivrit, Danti, Dravanti and cow's urine, given for poisoning from snake and insect bites. The Sushruta Samhita lists it with Shatavari among herbs used in Uttara Tantra, Chapter 30.
How to Use Nagadanti
Nagadanti is not a self-care herb. As a purgative, it is used only under the supervision of a trained Ayurvedic physician, so this page gives no home dose.
| Form | Dose | Best For | When to Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fruits and seeds | Physician only; classical doses are slightly higher than Jayapala's because it is milder | Purgation in Vata and Kapha disorders, abdominal diseases | As prescribed |
| Medicated ghee (Charaka Samhita) | Physician only | Snake and insect bite poisoning, in the classical formula | As prescribed |
Classical purgation is a planned therapy with preparation and aftercare, not a single dose. That planning is the physician's role.
Safety & Side Effects
Nagadanti is a purgative from the Croton group, and its effects are strong even though the Bhavaprakash Nighantu calls it milder than Jayapala. Treat it with real caution.
- No self-medication: use only under a qualified practitioner who can judge the dose and your strength.
- Pregnancy and nursing: purgatives are not something to take while pregnant or breastfeeding without medical supervision; avoid it.
- Weak or depleted people: forceful purgation can drain someone who is already weak or dehydrated.
- Heat-prone constitutions: its hot, sharp nature can aggravate Pitta.
Our sources record no specific drug interactions. If you take any medication, especially for digestion or the bowels, tell your practitioner before any purgative therapy.
Recommended: Start Here
The right starting point with Nagadanti is not a bottle of powder. It is a conversation with a qualified Ayurvedic physician, because classical purgation is a supervised therapy with preparation and aftercare.
If you want to understand the herb before that conversation, start with the source. The Bhavaprakash Nighantu, the classical materia medica that describes Nagadanti, is available in English translation.
Find Bhavaprakash Nighantu on Amazon ↗ Ayurvedic Materia Medica Books ↗
Safety: Nagadanti is a strong purgative; never take it without a practitioner, and avoid it entirely in pregnancy.
Nagadanti vs Other Herbs & Supplements
| Comparison | Nagadanti | Alternative | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nagadanti vs Jayapala | Purgative, milder; doses slightly higher | Jayapala, a more drastic Croton purgative | Nagadanti is the gentler of the two, but both are physician-only |
| Nagadanti vs Danti | Purgative action comparable to Danti | Danti, a closely related classical purgative | The text treats them as similar in strength; a physician chooses between them |
| Nagadanti vs Trivrit | Croton-group purgative, also reduces swelling | Trivrit, which the Charaka Samhita combines with Nagadanti in the same medicated ghee | Classical formulas pair them rather than choosing one |
Nagadanti for Specific Populations
Pregnancy & Nursing
Avoid Nagadanti. It is a strong purgative, and our sources give no basis for using it while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Children
Do not give Nagadanti to children. No child dose is recorded, and forceful purgation is risky in small bodies.
Elderly
Older and frail people are more easily depleted by purgation. Any use must be decided by a physician who can weigh the person's strength.
Athletes
Nagadanti has no role as a training aid. Purgation leads to fluid loss, which is the opposite of what an athlete needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nagadanti used for in Ayurveda?
Mainly as a purgative (Virechana) in Vata and Kapha disorders and abdominal diseases. It is also listed as reducing swelling (Shothahara).
Is Nagadanti the same as Danti?
No. The Bhavaprakash Nighantu describes Nagadanti as a variety of Croton with purgative properties comparable to Danti. They are related classical purgatives, not the same plant entry.
Can I take Nagadanti at home?
No. It is a strong purgative and should only be used under a qualified practitioner. Our sources record its dose only in relation to Jayapala, for physicians.
Which part of Nagadanti is used?
The small, round fruits and the seeds are the parts used medicinally.
How to Use Nagadanti by Condition
Explore how Nagadanti is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.
▶ Classical Text References (2 sources)
References in Charaka Samhita
Ghee obtained from buffalo’s milk and processed with nagadanti (Croton oblongifolius), trivrit (Operculina turpethum), danti, dravanti (Balliospermum montanum), snukpaya, madanaphala and one adhaka of cow's urine is an effective remedy in case of poison due to snake and insect bite and in gara visha.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
References in Sushruta Samhita
Additionally, Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Mrigairvaruna, Nagadanti, and Nididhika (should be used).
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 30: Shakunipratishedha
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 30: Shakunipratishedha
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.