Sesbania

(Vegetable Hummingbird)
Sanskrit: अगस्त्य • Botanical: Sesbania grandiflora Linn.

Agastya (Sesbania grandiflora) is a fast-growing tree found in tropical and subtropical regions. It grows 14-20 feet tall. The flowers, leaves, and bark are all used medicinally. White and red flowered varieties exist. Flowers are eaten as a vegetable. The bark is used as a bitter tonic. The juice of leaves and flowers is used in nasal polyps and sinusitis. Leaves have 12-15 pairs of leaflets. Flowers are 22-24 inches long in drooping racemes. It is used in respiratory and blood disorders. Dose: Churna (a.r. 24). Verse: noted alongside other tree medicines.

Ayurvedic Properties

Taste (Rasa)
Bitter (Tikta), Astringent (Kashaya)
Quality (Guna)
Light (Laghu), Dry (Ruksha)
Potency (Virya)
Cold (Sheeta)
Post-digestive (Vipaka)
Pungent (Katu)
Key Constituents
Saponins, Tannins, Flavonoids
Also Known As
English: Vegetable Hummingbird, Agati
Sanskrit: अगस्त्य, मुनिद्रुम, वंगसेन
Hindi: अगस्त, अगस्ती

What is Sesbania (Agasti / अगस्त)?

Agastya (Sesbania grandiflora) is a fast-growing tree found in tropical and subtropical regions. It grows 14-20 feet tall. The flowers, leaves, and bark are all used medicinally. White and red flowered varieties exist. Flowers are eaten as a vegetable. The bark is used as a bitter tonic. The juice of leaves and flowers is used in nasal polyps and sinusitis. Leaves have 12-15 pairs of leaflets. Flowers are 22-24 inches long in drooping racemes. It is used in respiratory and blood disorders. Dose: Churna (a.r. 24). Verse: noted alongside other tree medicines.

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 3

Therapeutic Actions (Karma)

  • Jwaraghna (antipyretic)
  • Krimighna (anthelmintic)
  • Raktapittahara (alleviates bleeding)

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 3

Sesbania by Condition

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

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Sesbania for Sinus & Allergies

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.