Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Astringent (Kashaya)
- Quality (Guna)
- Light (Laghu), Dry (Ruksha)
- Potency (Virya)
- Cold (Sheeta)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Pungent (Katu)
- Key Constituents
- Tannins (Ellagic acid), Gallic acid, Quercetin, Woodfordin
- Also Known As
- English: Fire Flame Bush, Woodfordia
Sanskrit: धातकी, धातुपुष्पी, अग्निज्वाला, ताम्रपुष्पी
Hindi: धावड़ी, धातकी
What is Woodfordia (Dhataki / धातकी)?
Dhataki (Woodfordia fruticosa) is a deciduous shrub with profuse red flowers. The flowers are extensively used in Ayurvedic Asava and Arishta preparations as a fermenting agent. The flowers are rich in tannins and have strong astringent properties. They are used in diarrhea, dysentery, and bleeding disorders. The plant is an essential ingredient in many fermented Ayurvedic medicines. The flowers are small, tubular, and brilliant red. The shrub grows to 10-15 feet height. Verse: 19-21.
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 4
Therapeutic Actions (Karma)
- Grahi (absorbent)
- Raktapittahara (alleviates bleeding)
- Sandhaniya (promotes union)
- Garbhasthapana (prevents miscarriage)
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 4
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)
Boil the svarasa of two panchamoola (brihat and laghu), sarala ((trivrita) Operculina turpethum), devadaru (Cedrus deodara), nagara (Zingiber officinale), pippali (Piper longum), pippalimoola, chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica), gajapippali (Piper retofractum), sanabeeja (seeds of Crotalaria juncea), barley, kola, kulatta and susavi (Woodfordia fruticosa) with aranala, dadhimanda or sauviraka.
— 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)
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
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
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 31: Revatipratishedha
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.