Health Benefits of Parijat Leaves and Flowers

Introduction

According to mythological stories, Parijat is a heavenly tree brought to earth by Lord Krishna. Parijat is a small shrub that has fragrant flowers with seven to eight petals arranged on an orangish-red stem. Parijat flower loses its brightness during the daytime and blooms at night, so commonly known as night jasmine. These beautiful flowers are used in many spiritual activities. Parijat plant is also used in traditional medicine as it is believed to have several health benefits. In this blog, we’ll have a look at its potential health benefits, possible side effects and how the plant can be used.  

Traditional Uses of Various Parts of the Parijat Plant

In Ayurveda, the whole Parijat plant is said to have various healing properties. From leaves to roots, it has several uses. 

• Parijat leaves: Parijat leaves have been used to treat different kinds of fevers, coughs, arthritis, worm infestation, etc. The leaf juice is bitter and works as a tonic. The kadha or decoction is believed to be helpful for arthritis, constipation, and worm infestation^1,2. 
• Parijat flowers: The small, aromatic, white flower is said to work well for gastric complaints and respiratory issues³. 
• Parijat stem: Parijat stem powder is used for treating joint pain and malaria³. 

Potential Health Benefits of Parijat

Parijat is a versatile plant used in Ayurveda for its health benefits. Due to its potential medicinal properties, it has become a matter of interest for research. This antioxidant, medicinal plant is said to have numerous health benefits, from alleviating pain to reducing fever. 

1. Helps Manage Fever

Parijat is known to be a great antipyretic. It is used in various types of fever, including malaria, dengue, and chikungunya fevers. Parijat leaf and bark extract are very useful in ameliorating fever instantly. Some studies have found that Parijat leaves are very beneficial for the treatment of the symptoms of fevers like malaria⁴. 

2. Help Relieve Pain

Parijat plant extracts are said to have anti-inflammatory properties due to the presence of flavonoids which can help relieve swelling and discomfort in arthritis, joint pain and sciatica. Parijat leaves and flowers added to specific essential oils and are found to be beneficial in the treatment of arthritic knee pain^4,5.  

3. Helps Ease Dry Cough

Tea made from Parijat leaves and flowers can help reduce cough, cold, and symptoms of respiratory issues like bronchitis. Studies show that the ethanol extract of the Parijat plant is an excellent bronchodilator and helps relieve discomfort in asthma⁵.  

4. Has Anti-microbial Properties

Parijat oil is said to have antifungal and antibacterial properties. It helps to inhibit germs like E. coli. Staph infection, and some fungal infections. It can also be used to treat various fungal infections of the skin⁵. 

Parijat is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that have been used traditionally for ages. In my experience, due to these properties, Parijat may be used as an anti-venom in case of snakebites as well¹¹. 

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

5. Potential Immunity Booster

Parijat flowers and leaves can stimulate immune cells to fight infections and strengthen immunity due to the presence of several phytochemicals in them⁶.  

6. Helps Balance Blood Sugar Levels

An important potential health benefit of Parijat is the regulation of blood sugar levels. Studies suggest that Parijat flower extract has a potent anti-diabetic effect due to its glycoside arbortristoside-A and the various flavonoids which help lower blood sugar by enhancing insulin secretion, improving glucose tolerance, and enhancing antioxidant defense mechanisms⁷.  

7. Promotes Skin and Hair Health

Topical application of Parijat extracts can help fight dandruff and hair lice. Flowers of Parijat work as a hair tonic and are used to strengthen the hair, avoid hair fall and other scalp-related problems. Parijat is also used for promoting skin healing and fighting acne owing to its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities^5,8. 

Apart from the above benefits, Parijat is also used in ayurveda for the following^3,9:  

• As a laxative 
• To manage anxiety 
• Helping to relieve menstrual cramps 
• Avoid dental issues 
• Ease digestive problems such as hyperacidity, nausea, etc. 
• Get rid of worm infestation 

While Parijat is extensively used in ayurvedic preparations, scientific research on its health effects is still in the initial phases. Further large-scale human trials are needed to confirm its properties and benefits in humans. 

From my perspective, Parijat is a potential medicine for various skin diseases. To support this, I recently came across an article that says the extracts from the flowers and seeds of Parijat have shown anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making it a potential aid for skin ailments¹¹.

Dr Rajeev Singh, BAMS

How to Use It?

Parijat leaves and flowers can be used in a few different ways⁹:

• The easiest way to use Parijat is to make a tea or decoction using the leaves and flowers. Take one tsp of leaf extract and boil it with 2 cups of water until it reduces to one cup. You can also add ginger and honey to additional benefits in cough and respiratory issues. 
• Oil extracted from the plant is also used for its healing properties. You can add 5-6 drops of Parijat essential oil in coconut oil and apply it to the affected area to reduce pain. 
• There are capsules, powders, and tablets of the Parijat plant that can be found in the market too.   

Several plants may appear visually similar, and incorrect identification can lead to unintended side effects or ineffective use. Proper sourcing from reputable herbal providers helps ensure safety¹⁰.  

Also, it’s important to consult a certified ayurvedic practitioner to understand the correct dosage for you and not consider it as a replacement for any ongoing/needed medical therapy. 

Also Read: Pathimugam (Sappanwood) Water: Benefits, Uses, Side Effects & More

Side Effects of Parijat

Parijat should be used cautiously and in moderation. There can be a few side effects of Parijat seen in some individuals^3,5: 

• Parijat leaves have a bitter and sharp taste that can cause vomiting for first-time consumers.  
• Continuous use of Parijat leaves can cause gastric issues as they contain methyl salicylate and tannic acid. 
• Ingesting the leaves in large amounts at once can cause nausea, stomach irritation, and diarrhea due to the presence of glycosides in the leaves.  

It is best to consult your healthcare provider before including Parijat in your routine diet, especially if you have any medical conditions or are on any medications. 

Conclusion

Parijat has long been used in traditional medicine for several purposes. While early research suggests that the plant may offer various health benefits, more long-term scientific studies are needed to fully understand its effectiveness and safety. As with any herbal remedy, it is advisable to consult a qualified healthcare professional before using Parijat for therapeutic purposes, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have an existing medical condition, or are taking any medications. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. Uses of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. – National Innovation Foundation-India. Accessed July 13, 2026. https://nif.org.in/NYCTANTHES-ARBOR 

2. Meshram MM, Rangari SB, Kshirsagar SB, Gajbhiye S, Sahane MRT and RS. NYCTANTHES ARBOR-TRISTIS A HERBAL PANACEA Pr | INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES AND RESEARCH. Published online August 1, 2012. Accessed July 13, 2026. https://ijpsr.com/bft-article/nyctanthes-arbor-tristis-a-herbal-panacea-pr/?view=fulltext 

3. Tripathi A, Srivastava S. Medicinal Properties of Harsingar (Nyctanthes Arbor-tristis Linn.): A Review. Published online January 1, 2021:3406. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349604305_Medicinal_Properties_of_Harsingar_Nyctanthes_Arbor-tristis_Linn_A_Review 

4. Godse CS, Tathed PS, Talwalkar SS, et al. Antiparasitic and disease- modifying activity of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn. in malaria: An exploratory clinical study. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2016;7(4):238-248. doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2016.08.003. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27914754/ 

5. Rani C, Chawla S, Mangal M, Mangal A, Kajla S, Dhawan A. Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn. (night jasmine): A sacred ornamental plant with immense medicinal potential. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. 3: 427-435. Indian J Tradit Knowl. 2011;3:427-435. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261988496_Nyctanthes_arbor-tristis_Linn_night_jasmine_A_sacred_ornamental_plant_with_immense_medicinal_potential_Indian_Journal_of_Traditional_knowledge_3_427-435

6. Puri A, Saxena R, Saxena RP, Saxena KC, Srivastava V, Tandon JS. Immunostimulant activity of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. Journal of ethnopharmacology. 1994 Mar 1;42(1):31-7. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8046941/

7.  Nanu R, Raghuveer I, Chitme HR, Chandra R. Antidiabetic activity of Nyctanthes arbortristis. Pharmacognosy Magazine. 2008 Oct 1;4(16):335-40. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259450869_Antidiabetic_activity_of_Nyctanthes_arbortristis

8.  Aggarwal A, Mehta DK, Bhardwaj A, Das R. Nyctanthes arbor-tristis: A Multifaceted Medicinal Plant in Traditional and Contemporary Medicine. Planta Med. 2026;92(4):440-464. doi:10.1055/a-2706-7358. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41213599/ 

9. Bhatt H, Chamoli RT, Thapliyal S, Saini N, Dobhal S. Harsingar: The holistic healer – uncovering the medicinal benefits of the Parijat flower. J Pharmacogn Phytochem. 2024;13(6):30-34. doi:10.22271/phyto.2024.v13.i6a.15162. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/385692549_Harsingar_The_holistic_healer_-_uncovering_the_medicinal_benefits_of_the_Parijat_flower 

10.Agrawal J, Pal A. Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn–a critical ethnopharmacological review. J Ethnopharmacol. 2013;146(3):645-658. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.01.024. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23376280/ 

11. Chakraborty R, Datta (De) S. A brief overview on the health benefits of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn.-A wonder of mother nature. Indo Global J Pharm Sci. 2022;12:197-204. doi:10.35652/IGJPS.2022.12024. Available from: https://igjps.com/index.php/IGJPS/article/view/193/24

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