It is an
important medicinal herb that is used in the treatment of various ailments. It
is also called a fire flame bush. The botanical name for Dhataki is Woodfordia
floribunda which belongs to the Lythraceae family. The flower of this herb is used
as an important medicinal beverage. The part used in this herb are leaves,
fruits, flowers, and gum. It has pungent and astringent in taste.
Hindi - Dhai, Dhati, Dhatki, Dhatri,
Dhaura
Sanskrit - Agnijwala
Kannada - Bela, Taamra pushpin
Malayalam - Tamarpushi, Tatire
Tamil - Dhathari-jagri
Telugu - Dhaarhupushpika
Tibetan - Dha-ta-ke
Urdu - Gul dhawa
Gujarati - Dhaavadi
Bengali - Dhai, Dawai
Marathi - Dhalas, Dhayati
Punjabi - Dhavi
Farsi - Dhaava
Oriya - Dhoba, Jaliko
Bihar - Dhai, Dawai
Jammu and Kashmir - Thwai
Nepal - Dhangera
The native
of this herb in Asia and Africa. In India, it is widely distributed in north
India at an ascending altitude of 1500meter. It is usually seen in the wasteland
and open grasslands. It is also seen in Madagascar, Pakistan, Ceylon, Nepal,
Bhutan, Myanmar, Indonesia, and China. In India, it is widely distributed in
Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and West Bengal. It is cultivated during the summer
season. It is a shrub with more fluted branches. The height of this shrub is up
to 5-12meters. Branch of this plant are long and the stem is fluted and long. The
bark of this shrub is smooth and reddish-brown. Leaves are 5-9cm long and it is
oblong. Fruits will be about 1cm long. It produces bright red flowers from
February to April and its fruits appear from April to June.
On
chemical compound analysis of the dhataki, it includes
Tannis,
cyaniding, diglucoside, octocosanol, and beta-sitosterol. Leaves are rich in
ellagic acid, polystachoside, pelargonidin-3, and 5-diglucoside, lupeol,
betulin, betulinic acid, urosolic acid, sisterol, and olealonic acid
Action:
TRADITIONAL VIEW:
Dhataki is
used to treat ulcers by balancing the imbalance of Pitta and it also helps to
prevent excessive secretion of acid in the stomach.
It is used
to treat diarrhea and dysentery by its kashaya property. It helps to lower the
frequency of watery stools and reduce the symptoms of diarrhea
It helps
to control the growth of worms which is present in the digestive tract by its
Krimighna (anti worms) property
According
to Ayurveda, it is considered that the use of dhataki helps to treat women
bleeding disorders by correcting the symptoms of leucorrhea.
MODERN VIEW:
It has
both medicinal and pharmacological activity. Dried flowers of this herb help to
regulate liver disorders by its hepatoprotective properties
It is used
to treat ulcers by its anti-ulcer, immunomodulatory, and antibacterial
properties.
The use of
this herb inhibits the growth of bacteria that cause dysentery and diarrhea by
decreasing the motility of the intestine by contracting the mucus membrane
It is used
to treat toothache by its analgesic property and it also helps to reduce the
pain and inflammation in the affected area
DHATAKI AS ASTRINGENT
Dhataki
helps to treat female disorders like menorrhagia and leucorrhea by its Kashaya
(astringent) property.
DHATAKI AS ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
It helps
to treat skin problems like acne, pimples and it also helps to heal the wound
faster by its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
DHATAKI AS HEALING
The use of
this herb helps to reduce the swelling by its wound healing property.
The dose
of the drug used according to physicians
Powder: 3 - 6gm
Liquid: 10 - 20ml
No
information is available regarding the use of this herb during breastfeeding,
pregnancy, and in patients with diabetes, heart diseases. Kindly consult with
the doctor before using this herb
It is
contraindicated to the patients who are allergic to the chemical composition of
this herb
Menorrhagia:
It is
called heavy menstrual bleeding it occurs due to an imbalance of Pitta dosha.
The use of dhataki balance the imbalance of Pitta and regulate the menstrual
bleeding. To treat menorrhagia take the required quantity of dhataki powder and
mix it with honey or water and consume this after your meals
Leucorrhea:
It is a
thick white discharge from the female genital tract. According to Ayurveda, it
is considered that it occurs due to an imbalance of Kapha dosha. To treat
leucorrhea take the required quantity of dhataki powder and mix it with honey
or water and consume this after your meals
Asthma:
According
to Ayurveda asthma occurs due to an imbalance of Vata and Kapha this leads to
blockage in the respiratory tract which results in difficulty in breathing. The
use of dhataki helps t remove the excess mucus from the lungs and relieve
asthma.
Sunburn:
It is
believed that sunburn is occurred due to aggravation of pitta dosha. Applying
this herb gives a cooling effect and decreases the burning sensation.
The
Dhataki comes in various formulations includes
Internal use:
Dhataki powder:
Take the
required amount of dhataki flower and grind it and make it as powder and mix it
with honey or water and consume it after your meals
External use:
Dhataki powder:
Take the
required amount of dhataki flower and grind it and make it as powder and mix it
with honey or water and make it as a paste and apply the paste in the affected
area and leave for 1 hour and wash it with tap water.
Is Dhataki powder available in the
market?
Yes, it is
available in the market and it can be brought from online websites or ayurvedic
medical stores.
How to store Dhataki?
It should
be stored in an airtight container and keep the medicines away from the heat
and light and Do not keep the medicines reaching out to children
Is Dhataki helpful in eye problems?
No
information is available regarding the use of Dhataki in eye problems.