Talk:Dhataki
| Section/Chapter | Herb database/Dhataki |
|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Woodfordia floribunda Salisb. |
| Family | Lythraceae |
| Availability | Available |
| Contributors | Team Dravyaguna |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | Awaited |
Woodfordia floribunda Salisb. (syn. *Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz*), popularly known as Dhataki (Fire Flame Bush), is a deciduous, much-branched shrub belonging to the family Lythraceae. Its brilliant red flowers are extensively used in Ayurveda as a prominent astringent, wound healer, and a primary fermenting agent in traditional herbal preparations (*Arishtas* and *Asavas*).
English name
Fire flame bush
Therapeutic uses
Atisara (diarrhoea), Raktapitta (bleeding disorder), Trushna (thirst), Vrana (wound), Visarpa (herpes)[1]
Synonyms in Charak Samhita
Dhatakipushpa, Dhatupushpi (flowers of Dhataki are red in colour like that of red ochre), Vanhijwala, Samanga, Tamrapushpi, Kunjara, Subhiksha, Bahupushpi, Vanhipushpi (the flowers are red in colour like that of flame)
Botanical Profile & Traditional Context
In traditional Ayurvedic therapeutics, Dhataki is classified under groups like *Sandhaniya* (promoting healing and union) and *Purishasangrahaniya* (faecal astringents). It possesses cold potency (*sheeta veerya*) and a pungent post-digestion effect (*katu vipaka*), making it exceptionally effective in pacifying Pitta and Kapha doshas.
Ayurvedic pharmacological properties
| Sr.no. | Pharmacological criteria | Properties |
| 1 | Taste (rasa) | Astringent (kashaya) |
| 2 | Potency (veerya) | Cold (sheeta) |
| 3 | Post digestion effect (vipaka) | Pungent (katu) |
| 4 | Qualities (guna) | Light (laghu), Rough (ruksha) |
| 5 | Actions (karma) | Pacify Kapha and Pitta |
Reference in Charak Samhita and its actions
| Sr.no. | Reference in Charak Samhita | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(5) | Sandhaniya mahakashaya (promoting union/binding) |
| 2 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(31) | Purishsangrahaniya mahakashaya (faecal astringents) |
| 3 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(34) | Mootravirajaniya mahakashaya (urinary depigmenters) |
| 4 | Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/144 | Kashaya-skandha (group of astringent drugs) |
| 5 | Cha.Sa.Sharira Sthana 8/32 | Garbha shalya chikitsa |
| 6 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/258 | As an ingredient of Chandanadhya taila |
| 7 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 4/46 | In Yavagu (gruel) prayoga |
| 8 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 4/81 | As an ingredient of Priyangvadi peya |
| 9 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 4/99 | Used in yoga of Nasagata raktapitta in the form of Avapida nasya |
| 10 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 6/31 | Used for making decoction in Pittaja prameha (diabetes) |
| 11 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/95 | Bahyaprayogarth lepa in kushtha (skin disease) |
| 12 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 8/130 | Ingredient in Atisara nashaka khada-yusha |
| 13 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 14/197 | Used in raktarsha |
| 14 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 14/230 | As an ingredient of Hriberadi ghrita |
| 15 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 19/54 | As a yoga dravya in treatment of pittaja atisara |
| 16 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 19/90 | Used as a pratisarana dravya |
| 17 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 19/107 | As an ingredient of Ajajyadi churna |
| 18 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 19/108 | As an ingredient of Rasanjanadi churna |
| 19 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 25/66, 67 | Used for avchurnana |
| 20 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 25/89 | Used as vranaropaka pralepa (external application) |
| 21 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 25/90 | As an ingredient of Kampillakadi taila |
| 22 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 27/30 | As an ingredient of Urustambha nashaka yoga |
| 23 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 30/78 | As an ingredient of Dhatakyadi taila |
| 24 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 30/92 | As an ingredient of Pushyanuga churna |
| 25 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 30/121, 122 | Used in the treatment of Pichhila yoni |
Dose
- 3–6 g of drug in powder form[1]
Important formulations
As per A.P.I.[1]
- Bruhat gangadhara churna
- Pushyanuga churna
- Dhatakyadi taila
Current availability
Available
- In India – Widely distributed throughout the hilly regions of India.
Phytochemical Composition
The medicinal value of Woodfordia floribunda flowers and leaves stems from a robust phytochemical profile:
- Hydrolyzable Tannins: Abundant in ellagic acid, gallic acid, woodfordin C, and macranthin.
- Flavonoids: Quercetin, myricetin, and various glycosidic derivatives.
- Anthocyanins: Pelargonidin and cyanidin derivatives responsible for the vibrant red hue of the blossoms.
Pharmacological Activities & Therapeutic Efficacy
Gastrointestinal and Anti-Diarrheal Action
Dhataki is traditionally and scientifically established as a premier remedy for diarrhoeal states (*atisara*).
- Mechanism: High tannin concentrations exert an astringent action on the intestinal mucosa, precipitating proteins, reducing hypersecretion, and slowing gut motility.
- Scientific Evidence: Pharmacological studies on extract models demonstrate significant anti-diarrheal activity, reducing frequency and wet weight of stools in experimental evaluations.[2]
Wound Healing and Antimicrobial Properties
Its designation under *Sandhaniya* (healing promoters) correlates directly with its tissue-repair capabilities.
- Mechanism: Stimulates fibroblast proliferation, enhances collagen deposition, and exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against pathogens commonly infecting wounds.
- Scientific Evidence: Topical application of Dhataki flower extract accelerated wound contraction and epithelialization rates in experimental excision and incision wound models.[3]
Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Effects
Dhataki exhibits substantial efficacy in managing inflammatory conditions like *Visarpa* and bleeding disorders (*Raktapitta*).
- Mechanism: Inhibits key inflammatory mediators and neutralizes free radicals through its robust antioxidant polyphenol network.
- Scientific Evidence: Research confirms that flower extracts markedly suppress acute inflammation parameters and reduce oxidative stress markers.[4]
Safety, Toxicity, and Dosage
- Acute Toxicity: Dhataki displays an excellent safety profile with negligible toxicity at recommended therapeutic dosages.
- Precautions: Due to its strong astringent (*kashaya*) nature, individuals suffering from chronic severe constipation should use it cautiously.
- Standard Therapeutic Dosage:
- Flower Powder (Churna): 3–6 g daily or as advised by an Ayurveda practitioner[1].
Summary of Therapeutic Profile
| Indication | Active Biomolecules | Primary Pharmacological Action |
|---|---|---|
| Diarrhoea / Atisara | Woodfordin C, Tannins | Intestinal astringent, Anti-secretory |
| Wounds / Vrana | Gallic acid, Ellagic acid | Pro-collagen stimulation, Antimicrobial |
| Bleeding Disorders / Raktapitta | Flavonoids, Polyphenols | Hemostatic, Anti-inflammatory |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 1: 22.
- ↑ Jain, S. K.; Sharma, P. (2011). "Evaluation of antidiarrheal activity of Woodfordia fruticosa kurz flowers in experimental animals". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 133 (2): 442–447.
- ↑ Verma, A.; Malik, J.; Singh, R. (2012). "Wound healing activity of Woodfordia fruticosa Kurz flowers extract in rats". Journal of Pharmacy and BioAllied Sciences. 4 (3): 234–238.
- ↑ Dhawan, S.; Gupta, S. (2015). "Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of Woodfordia floribunda flower extract". Phytotherapy Research. 29 (4): 589–595.