Introduction
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INTRODUCTION Herbs are staging a comeback and herbal „renaissance‟ is happening all over the globe. The herbal products today symbolise safety in contrast to the synthetics that are regarded as unsafe to human and environment. Although herbs had been priced for their medicinal, flavouring and aromatic qualities for centuries, the synthetic products of the modern age surpassed their importance, for a while. However, the blind dependence on synthetics is over and people are returning to the naturals with hope of safety and security. Over three-quarters of the world population relies mainly on plants and plant extracts for health care. More than 30% of the entire plant species, at one time or other, were used for medicinal purposes. It has been estimated that in developed countries such as United States, plant drugs constitute as much as 25% of the total drugs, while in fast developing countries such as China and India, the contribution is as much as 80%. Traditional systems of medicine continue to be widely practised on many accounts. Population rise, inadequate supply of drugs, prohibitive cost of treatments, side effects of several allopathic drugs and development of resistance to currently used drugs for infectious diseases have led to increased emphasis on the use of plant materials as a source of medicines for a wide variety of human ailments. About 8,000 herbal remedies have been codified in Ayurveda. Unfortunately, much of the ancient knowledge and many valuable plants are being lost at an alarming rate. With the rapid depletion of forests, impairing the availability of raw drugs, Ayurveda, like other systems of herbal medicines has reached a very critical phase. Medicinal plants are being widely used, either as single drug or in combination in health care delivery system. Indian Dhātaki ,Woodfordia fructiosa (Family: Lytheraceae) is a commonly know Indian Medicinal Plant, which is widely recognized in traditional systems of Medicine. From the ancient literature like Caraka Samhitā, Susruta samhitā to till today Dhātaki has been a famous shrub for the treatment of different ailments. Its a much branched shrub upto 10 feet height, its leaves are opposie, apetiolate, apex pointed and lower surface is hairy. Flowers are bright red in cluster which contributes the name of the plant as fire flame bush. Fruits are ovate containing slimy seeds. In most of ̅sava and Arista preparations, Dhātaki is the chief agent. Lawsone along with tannin and glucose are the chief chemical constituent of Dhātaki. It is especially used to cure diseases like diarrhoea, dysentry, leucorrhoea, haemorrhoids etc. The general distrubution of Dhātaki is found upto 5000 ft. Monograph on Woodfordia fruticosa Page 1 Dhātakī in Samhitas CARAKA SAMHITA(1000 BC) Madhuka , Madhuparni, Prsniparni, Ambasthaki, Samanga, Mocarasa, Dhātakī, Lodhra, Priyangu, and Katphala these ten are union-promoting(Sandhaaniya).(Ca.S.Su.4/5) Priyangu, Ananta, Amrasthi(stone), Aralu, Lodhra, Mocarasa, Samanga, Dhātakī(flowers), Padma and Padmakesara, these ten are faeceal astringent. (Ca.S.Su.4/31) Padma, Utpala, Nalina, Kumuda, Saugandhika, Pundarika, Atapatra, Madhuka, Priyangu and Dhātakī(flowers) these ten are urinary depingmenters. (Ca.S. Su.4/34) The Puspasavas (Asavas prepared from flowers) are ten such as those prepared from (the flowers of) Padma, Utpala, Nalina, Kumuda, Saugandhika, Pundarika, Satapatra, Madhuka, Priyangu and Dhātakī. (Ca.S.Su.25/49) Two ameliorate the streaking of skin (Kikkisa) the breast areola of mother should be massaged gently with the paste of sandal and lotus stalk, or the powder of Dhātakī mustard and madhuka or the paste of kutaja, arjaka seeds, musta and haridra or the paste of nimbi, kola ,tulasi and manjistha or triphala mixed with blood of prsat(spotted deer), deer and rabbit , massage with oil cooked with karavira leaves and sprinkling with water processed with jati and madhuka should be applied. (Ca.S.Sa.8/31) Dhātakī along with Priyangu, Anantamula, Patha, Lodhra, Mocarasa, Manjistha, Jambu etc. are all kept in Kasaya Skandha (group of astrigent drugs). (Ca.S.Vi.8/144). Candan ̅dya Tailam; Dh ̅taki along with Tagara, D ̅ruharidr ̅, Bharangi, Khasa, S ̅riva, Madhuka, N ̅gkeshara etc is used for preparing Candan ̅dya Taila. (Ca.S.Ci.3/258)\ Dhātakī, Yav ̅sa, Sugandhav ̅la and Bela is mixed and made Peya is used for the treatment of Raktapitta. (Ca.S.Ci.4/46) Priyangav ̅di Peya: Priyangu, Sveta Candana, Lodhra, S ̅riva, Madhuka, N ̅garmoth ̅, Harro and flowers of Dh ̅taki is mixed with the sugar water which is best Raktapittan ̅saka recipe. (Ca.S.Ci.4/81) Monograph on Woodfordia fruticosa Page 2 Dhātakī along with Nilotpala, Gairika, Sankha Bhasma, Candana etc. is used for the Sthambhaka Yoga for N ̅sagata Rakta -Pitta. (Ca.S.Ci.4/99) Lodhra, Sugandhavala, Pitacandana & flowers of Dh ̅ taki is one of the 10 Kaphaja Pramehaghna yoga. (Ca.S.Ci.6/31) Lodhr ̅di lepa: Lodhra, flowers of Dh ̅taki, Vatsaka Beeja, ̅ragbadh & M ̅lati when made paste and smeared will cure Kustha. (Ca.S.Ci.7/95) Dhātakī flowers along with M ̅tulunga, Dadima, Arjuna, Jambu etc. is used to cure Atis ̅ra in case of Tuberculosis patient. (Ca.S.Ci.8/130) Kutaja, N ̅gkesara, Neelkamal, Lodhra & flowers of Dhātakī are used for ther preparation of recipe which is used for the treatment of Rakt ̅rsa with pain.(Ca.S.Ci.14/197)\ Hriber ̅di ghrita: Sungandhavala, Nilkamala, Lodhra, Manjisth ̅, Cabya, Candana etc. are used for the preparation of Hriber ̅di ghrita which is for the Arsa, Atisara, Grahani, P ̅ndu etc. (Ca.S.Ci.14/231). The Yavaagu prepared by mixing Bilva, Mustaa, Aksibhaisajya(Lodhra), flowers of Dhātakī, Sunthi in Takra is very effective on curing Atisaara. (Ca.S.Ci. 15/113) N ̅gar ̅dya Curna- N ̅gara, Ativisa, N ̅garmoth ̅, Dh ̅taki etc is used for the preparation of N ̅gar ̅dya Curna which is used for the treatment of Pittaja Grahani. (Ca.S.Ci.15/130) If the flowers of Dh ̅taki, P ̅tha and Lodhra is made powdered and smeared in Gud ̅, then it will be useful in blood discharges from anus and Gudap ̅ka. (Ca.S.Ci.19/90) Ajay ̅di curna, Ajaji, P ̅tha, Sunthi, Marica & 2 parts of Dh ̅taki flowers mixed & taken for Kaphaj Atis ̅ra. (Ca.S.Ci.19/107). Ras ̅njan ̅di Curna: Ras ̅jana, Atisara, Kutaja & 2 parts of Dh ̅tak ,̅ flowers are used & made Ras ̅nan ̅di curna is used for the Kaphaj Atis ̅ra. (Ca.S.Ci.19/108). Dh ̅taki, N ̅gara, Bilva, Lodhra, P ̅dma, Kesara is one of the Kh ̅da Yoga used for the Kaphaj Atis ̅ra. (Ca.S.Ci.19/109). Samang ̅, flowers of Dh ̅taki, Belgiri, Jambu, ̅mrabark is one of the Kh ̅da Yoga used for the treating Kaphaja, Atisara. (Ca.S.Ci.19/110). Monograph on Woodfordia fruticosa Page 3 Manjisth ̅, Dh ̅taki flowers, Lodhra, Prinyangu and Katphala bark when made powdered and smeared on Vrana, will heal it. (Ca.S.Ci.25/67) Suktibhasma, Dh ̅taki and Lodhra mixed and made powder to smear on Vrana will heal it. (Ca.S.Ci.25/68) Prapaundarika, Jivanti, flowers of Dh ̅taki, bal ̅ and black sesamum when made paste by mixing on ghee is used for the healing of Vrana. (Ca.S.Ci.25/89) Kampilakl ̅ Taila: Dh ̅taki along with Khadira, Bidanga, Kampillaka, Triphal ̅, Must ̅ etc. is used for the preparation of this recipe which is used for the healing of Vrana. (Ca.S.Ci.25/91) A famous formulary for the treatment of Mukharoga i.e. Khadir ̅di gutik ̅ contains Dh ̅taki as its active ingredient. (Ca.S.Ci.26/208). Red Candana, flowers of Dh ̅taki, Kustha, T ̅lisa patra and Khasa on equal amount made powder and taken with honey water will cure Urusthambha. (Ca.S.Ci.27/29) Dh ̅taky ̅di Taila: Flowers of Dh ̅taki, ̅mlaki, Tejpatra, Yasthimadhu, Jambhu, Lodhra, D ̅dima etc. is used to make this recipe. This is used in slippery, discharging inflammatory and painful vagina. (Ca.S.Ci.30/78) A famous Ayurveda formulation used especially on female unusual discharges like Svetapradara, Raktapradara i.e. Pushyanug Curna contains Dhātakī as one of its constituent. Maharsi Aatreya has praised this medicine. (Ca.S.Ci.30/92) K ̅sis ̅di Yoga: K ̅sisa, Triphala, Fitkiri, Amra, Jamuna, flower of Dhātakī when powdered and mixed with Madhu and used is very beneficial for the slippery problem of vagina. (Ca.S.Ci.30/121) Kacchur ̅, flowers of Dh ̅taki, Bilva etc. mixed and made Yavagu, if taken will cure Atis ̅ra. (Ca.S.Si.8/38-39) Jivanti, Agnimantha, Dh ̅ aki flowers, Kutaja, these four are made Kvatha and is used as Sangrahika Vasti. (Ca.S.Si.10/30) Monograph on Woodfordia fruticosa Page 4 Susruta Samhita (1000-1500 B.C.) It is one of the Dravya included in Priyangvaadi Gana. (Su.S.Su. 38/44) It is one of the Dravya included in Ambasthaadi Gana. (Su.S.Su. 38/45) Both of the Priyangvaadi and Ambasthaadi Gana mentioned above are used in treatment of Pakva Atisaara, Asthi Bhagna, Pitta Vikaara and Vrana Ropana. In D ̅runa Karma Dhātakī powder is used for the healing of Vrana along with Dhava, Priyangu, Triphalaa etc. (Su.S.Ci. 1/85) The Taila made from Dhātakī, along with Pippali, Must ̅, Lodhra etc. can be used in treatment of diseases like Gandamaala, Ropana of Vrana relaed with Mandala, Prameha and Bhagandara. (Su.S.Ci. 8/44) Different medicinal plants along with Dhataki are used to treat Prameha making different formulations like Arista, Ayaskriti, Avaleha and Aasava. (Su.S.Ci.