Harsingar

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

Harsingar (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis), the Night Jasmine or Tree of Sorrow, is named so because its fragrant flowers bloom at night and fall by morning. The leaves contain Nyctanthine which has anti-malarial and anti-parasitic properties. The text describes it as a small tree with rough bark. The orange tube of the flower yields a yellow dye used in religious ceremonies. The leaf extract containing Santinin has demonstrated effectiveness against intestinal worms. The leaves are traditionally used as a decoction for fevers, especially chronic and malarial fevers, and for sciatica. The flowers are aromatic and used in perfumery.

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
Nyctanthine, Santinin, Essential oil, Carotenoids, Glycosides
Also Known As
English: Night Jasmine, Weeping Nyctanthes, Tree of Sorrow
Sanskrit: पारिजात, शेफालिका, प्राजक्ता
Hindi: हरसिंगार, पारिजात

What is Night Jasmine / Harsingar (हरसिंगार / पारिजात)?

Harsingar (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis), the Night Jasmine or Tree of Sorrow, is named so because its fragrant flowers bloom at night and fall by morning. The leaves contain Nyctanthine which has anti-malarial and anti-parasitic properties. The text describes it as a small tree with rough bark. The orange tube of the flower yields a yellow dye used in religious ceremonies. The leaf extract containing Santinin has demonstrated effectiveness against intestinal worms. The leaves are traditionally used as a decoction for fevers, especially chronic and malarial fevers, and for sciatica. The flowers are aromatic and used in perfumery.

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 3

Therapeutic Actions (Karma)

  • Jvarghna (antipyretic)
  • Krimighna (anthelmintic)
  • Keshya (promotes hair growth)
  • Vatahara (alleviates Vata)
  • Shothahara (anti-inflammatory)

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 3

Harsingar by Condition

Explore how Harsingar is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.

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Harsingar for Inflammation

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.