Night Jasmine

(Night Jasmine)
Sanskrit: पारिजात • Botanical: Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn.

Parijata (Night Jasmine) is a small tree (8-10 feet) with fragrant white flowers with orange tubes that bloom at night and fall in the morning. The orange tubes of the flowers yield a natural dye. The leaves are rough textured. It is an important antipyretic herb - the leaf decoction is widely used for malarial and other fevers. It is described as having remarkable febrifuge properties. The tree flowers profusely, carpeting the ground with fallen flowers each morning. It is one of the most popular medicinal trees in Indian gardens. The leaves decoction is given in sciatica (gridhrasi). Note: Erythrina indica was called Parijata by some scholars. Chunekar clarifies this is the true Parijata. Verse: 9-10.

Ayurvedic Properties

Taste (Rasa)
Bitter (Tikta), Astringent (Kashaya)
Quality (Guna)
Light (Laghu), Dry (Ruksha)
Potency (Virya)
Hot (Ushna)
Post-digestive (Vipaka)
Pungent (Katu)
Key Constituents
Nyctanthin, Tannic acid, Essential oils, Carotenoids
Also Known As
English: Night Jasmine, Night-flowering Jasmine, Coral Jasmine
Sanskrit: पारिजात, शेफालिका, प्रजक्ता
Hindi: हरसिंगार, पारिजात

What is Night Jasmine (Parijata / पारिजात)?

Parijata (Night Jasmine) is a small tree (8-10 feet) with fragrant white flowers with orange tubes that bloom at night and fall in the morning. The orange tubes of the flowers yield a natural dye. The leaves are rough textured. It is an important antipyretic herb - the leaf decoction is widely used for malarial and other fevers. It is described as having remarkable febrifuge properties. The tree flowers profusely, carpeting the ground with fallen flowers each morning. It is one of the most popular medicinal trees in Indian gardens. The leaves decoction is given in sciatica (gridhrasi). Note: Erythrina indica was called Parijata by some scholars. Chunekar clarifies this is the true Parijata. Verse: 9-10.

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 4

Therapeutic Actions (Karma)

  • Jvarghna (antipyretic)
  • Krimighna (anthelmintic)
  • Vatahara (alleviates Vata)
  • Kaphahara (alleviates Kapha)

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 4

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.