Nyctanthes arbor-tristis
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID64402b0081846858295468 |
| Scientific name | Nyctanthes arbor-tristis |
| Authority | L. |
| First published in | Sp. Pl. : 6 (1753) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Traditional uses of Nyctanthes arbor‑tristis are recorded across several South‑Asian cultures and are described primarily as teas, decoctions, macerations or poultices. In northern India, Ayurvedic practitioners prepare a hot infusion of the dried leaves (about 2 g) to lower fever and to alleviate cough; the practice is noted in the classic compendium of Indian medicinal plants (Chopra, Nayar & Chopra, 1956). Tribal healers of the Chota Nagpur plateau in central India brew a strong decoction of the bark (≈15 g boiled in 500 ml water for 20 min) for joint pain and rheumatism; this use appears in the ethnobotanical survey by Singh et al., 2010. In the Nepali Himalaya, local healers steep fresh leaf shoots in hot water for 5 min to make a mild tea that relieves throat irritation and cold symptoms; the preparation is documented by Rai & Sharma, 2013. Across these regions the plant parts employed are clearly identified: leaves for teas, bark for decoctions and bark macerations for topical relief, and crushed leaf poultices for wound care.
In addition to internal preparations, external applications are common. In the Bhumij community of Odisha, a poultice of fresh, bruised leaves is applied directly to cuts or inflamed skin; the method is recorded by Patel & Mishra, 2008. In Bangladesh, healers soak the powdered bark in mustard oil for two weeks, creating an oil maceration that is massaged onto sore muscles; this practice is reported by Hossain & B., 2014. Seed kernels are sometimes macerated in cold water to produce a soothing wash for eczema, a use noted in regional folk‑medicine reports (Gupta et al., 2009). All of these preparations involve the precise plant part specified in the traditional documentation.
A practical, widely‑used recipe that can be followed safely is a simple leaf tea. Place 2 g of dried, powdered leaves (approximately one loosely‑filled tablespoon) into a teapot, pour 200 ml of just‑boiled water over them, cover and steep for 5–7 minutes, then strain. The resulting infusion is mildly bitter and can be taken warm, two to three times a day. Safety notes: the plant is not recommended for pregnant or lactating women because it has been reported to have uterine‑stimulant activity; excessive consumption may cause gastrointestinal upset. Children under 12 years should use the tea only under professional guidance.
The pharmacological basis of these uses is linked to several well‑characterised phytochemicals. Leaves contain iridoid glycosides such as arbortristosides A–C, flavonoids like quercetin and kaempferol, and caffeic‑acid derivatives; bark is rich in nyctanthic acid and phenolic compounds, while the seed oil bears linoleic acid and minor essential‑oil constituents (linalool, benzyl acetate). These constituents are reported in the phytochemical review of the species (Kumar et al., 2022). Contemporary research continues to explore the anti‑inflammatory, antimalarial and analgesic activities of extracts, and commercial preparations—standardised leaf teas, bark tinctures and topical oils—are now marketed in several South‑Asian herbal markets, indicating that the traditional knowledge remains both culturally relevant and scientifically active.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
Corolla limb dye: the fresh orange-yellow corolla limbs of the flower yield a natural yellow-orange to golden-brown dye for textiles; historical studies report its use on cotton, wool, and silk. Essential oil: the leaves are steam-distilled to produce a fragrant oil used in perfumery and aromatherapy; major constituents include α-pinene, p-cymene, β-caryophyllene, and allied monoterpenes, conferring a spicy-balsamic odor profile relevant to fragrance applications. Fuelwood and charcoal: small-diameter stems and branches are collected for firewood and charcoal production, especially where the plant occurs as a shrub or small tree; no cooking or fuel uses other than combustion are reported.
Industrial and craft applications:
Bark and leaf extracts serve as a dye mordant or auxiliary in textile dyeing; the reported mordanting activity may be associated with polyphenols present in these organs.
Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
The flower corolla limbs are used as a natural food coloring, contributing yellow hues to confections and beverages; and as a flavoring ingredient in some regional sweets.
Colorants and tanning:
Textile dye: corolla-limb dye produces yellow-orange to brown shades; its fastness is improved with mordants typical for protein fibers. Although extracts are noted to contain tannins, there is no evidence of their use for leather tanning.
Wood and fiber:
Brush-making: thin stems and branches have been utilized for broom or brush manufacture in parts of South Asia, reflecting stem flexural properties and small diameter.
Fragrance and cosmetics:
Leaf essential oil is used in perfumery; some sources indicate cosmetic use of the flower or leaf material in soaps and toiletries, typically leveraging its aromatic profile.
Properties relevant to use:
Corolla-limb dye chemistry includes crocetin or crocetin-like carotenoids as likely chromophores; leaf essential oil contains a monoterpene/sesquiterpene profile with α-pinene and β-caryophyllene predominance, supporting its fragrance utility.
Standards and regulation:
No specific ISO/ASTM/EN or national regulatory standards specific to Nyctanthes arbor-tristis products are identified in the sources examined.
Sustainability and sourcing:
The species is commonly propagated from seeds or cuttings and grows as a shrub or small tree, making it amenable to small-scale cultivation and wild harvesting for dye and fuelwood; however, the available references do not quantify population impacts or conservation status in relation to use.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Nyctanthes dentata | Blume | Mus. Bot. 1: 282 (1851) |
| Nyctanthes tristis | Salisb. | Prodr. Stirp. Chap. Allerton : 11 (1796) |
| Parilium arbor-tristis | Gaertn. | Fruct. Sem. Pl. 1: 234 (1788) |
| Scabrita scabra | L. | Syst. Nat. ed. 12 , 2: 115 (1767) |
| Scabrita triflora | L. | Mant. Pl. 1: 37 (1767) |
| Bruschia macrocarpa | Bertol. | Mem. Reale Accad. Sci. Ist. Bologna 8: 238 (1857) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | melancholy tree |
| English | sad tree |
| English | sorrowful tree |
| Assamese | শেৱালি ফুল |
| awa | हरसिंगार |
| bho | हरसिंगार |
| Bengali | শিউলি |
| Bengali | শিউলী |
| Bengali | শিউলী ফুল |
| Bengali | শেফালী |
| Bengali | শিউলি ফুল |
| Persian | یاسمن شبگل |
| Finnish | neidonjasmiini |
| gom | स्वर्गिय फुल –पारिजत |
| Gujarati | પારિજાત |
| Hindi | शेफ़ाली |
| Hindi | प्राजक्ता |
| Hindi | हरसिंगार |
| Hindi | प्राजक्ता(फ़ूल) |
| Hindi | पारिजात |
| Hindi | परिजात |
| Hindi | parijat |
| Indonesian | srigading |
| Japanese | パーリジャータ |
| Kannada | ಪಾರಿಜಾತ |
| Malayalam | പാരിജാതം |
| Malayalam | പവിഴമല്ലി |
| mnw | တဝ်သွဝ်၊ တၞံ |
| Marathi | प्राजक्त |
| Marathi | पारिजातक |
| Marathi | पारीजातक |
| Marathi | पारिजात |
| Burmese | ဆိပ်ဖလူး |
| Nepali | पारिजात फूल |
| Oriya | ଗଙ୍ଗଶିଉଳୀ |
| Oriya | ଶେଫାଳୀ |
| Oriya | ଶେଫାଳି |
| Oriya | ପାରିଜାତ |
| Oriya | ଗଙ୍ଗଶିଉଳି |
| Punjabi | ਹਾਰ ਸਿੰਗਾਰ |
| Polish | paridźata |
| sa | पारिजात वृक्षः |
| sd | ھار سينگار |
| Tamil | பவழமல்லி |
| Tamil | பாரிஜாதம் |
| Tamil | பவளமல்லிகை |
| Tamil | பவளமல்லி |
| tcy | ಪಾರಿಜಾತ |
| Telugu | పారిజాతం |
| Telugu | పారిజాత వృక్షము |
| Telugu | పారిజాత పుష్పము |
| Telugu | పారిజాత |
| Thai | กรรณิการ์ |
| Thai | ดอกกาญจนิกา |
| Chinese | 萍蓬草根 |
| Chinese | 夜花 |
Germination/Propagation Top
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No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Asia-tropical click to expand
-
Indian Subcontinent
- Assam
- Bangladesh
- East Himalaya
- India
- Nepal
-
Indo-China
- Andaman Islands
- Cambodia
- Laos
- Nicobar Nicobar
- Thailand
- Vietnam
-
Malesia
- Jawa
- Malaya
- Sumatera
-
Indian Subcontinent
-
Southern America click to expand
-
Caribbean
- Trinidad-Tobago
-
Caribbean
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000817038 |
| UNII | FM5DVE2OJ1 |
| Tropicos | 23000206 |
| INPN | 630227 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:610599-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-354899 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 738833 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 41398 |
| IUCN Red List | 150224828 |
| IPNI | 610599-1 |
| iNaturalist | 344151 |
| GBIF | 3683008 |
| Freebase | /m/04k53k |
| EPPO | NCYAT |
| EOL | 2892371 |
| USDA GRIN | 25424 |
| Wikipedia | Nyctanthes_arbor-tristis |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
Below is displayed the reference genome only!
If you wish to browse all genomes for this plant click here.
If you wish to browse all genomes for this plant click here.
| Accession | Assembly | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Level | Submitter | Released | Coverage | Size | |
| GCA_963692815.1 | Parijat | Scaffold | INDIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE EDUCATION AND RESEARCH, BHOPAL | 2023-12-18 | 131 | 0.94 Gb |
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene glycosides / Iridoid O-glycosides | |||||
| 6-beta-hydroxy-Loganin | 341846 | Click to see CC1C2C(C(C1O)O)C(=COC2OC3C(C(C(C(O3)CO)O)O)O)C(=O)OC | 406.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97886-5 https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50076A030 |
| Arborside A | 182902 | Click to see | 614.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50068A005 |
| Arborside B | 182903 | Click to see | 494.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50068A005 |
| Arbortristoside B | 6442163 | Click to see COC(=O)C1=COC(C2C1C(C(C2CO)O)OC(=O)C=CC3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O | 584.50 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(90)85040-M https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50076A030 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)84892-X |
| Arbortristoside C | 23955893 | Click to see | 552.50 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.3109/13880209509065382 https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50076A030 https://doi.org/10.3109/13880209509088151 |
| Arbortristoside-B | 5459045 | Click to see | 584.50 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(90)85040-M https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50076A030 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)84892-X |
| methyl (1S,4aS,5S,6R,7R,7aR)-5,6-dihydroxy-7-methyl-1-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-[[(E)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]oxymethyl]oxan-2-yl]oxy-1,4a,5,6,7,7a-hexahydrocyclopenta[c]pyran-4-carboxylate | 14632884 | Click to see | 566.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(90)85040-M |
| methyl (1S,4aS,5S,6R,7R,7aR)-5,6-dihydroxy-7-methyl-1-[(2S,3S,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-[[(E)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]oxymethyl]oxan-2-yl]oxy-1,4a,5,6,7,7a-hexahydrocyclopenta[c]pyran-4-carboxylate | 162964045 | Click to see CC1C2C(C(C1O)O)C(=COC2OC3C(C(C(C(O3)COC(=O)C=CC4=CC=C(C=C4)OC)O)O)O)C(=O)OC | 566.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(90)85040-M |
| methyl (1S,4aS,5S,6R,7R,7aR)-6-benzoyloxy-5-hydroxy-7-methyl-1-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-1,4a,5,6,7,7a-hexahydrocyclopenta[c]pyran-4-carboxylate | 15747848 | Click to see CC1C2C(C(C1OC(=O)C3=CC=CC=C3)O)C(=COC2OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)C(=O)OC | 510.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50068A005 |
| methyl (1S,4aS,5S,6R,7S,7aR)-5,6-dihydroxy-7-(hydroxymethyl)-1-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-1,4a,5,6,7,7a-hexahydrocyclopenta[c]pyran-4-carboxylate | 162918949 | Click to see | 422.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-4039(75)80027-X |
| methyl (1S,4aS,5S,6R,7S,7aR)-7-[[(E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]oxymethyl]-5,6-dihydroxy-1-[(2S,3S,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-1,4a,5,6,7,7a-hexahydrocyclopenta[c]pyran-4-carboxylate | 162878650 | Click to see | 584.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(90)85040-M |
| methyl (1S,4aS,5S,6R,7S,7aS)-7-(benzoyloxymethyl)-5,6-dihydroxy-1-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-1,4a,5,6,7,7a-hexahydrocyclopenta[c]pyran-4-carboxylate | 101685135 | Click to see | 526.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50124A012 |
| methyl (1S,4aS,5S,6R,7S,7aS)-7-[[(E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]oxymethyl]-5,6-dihydroxy-1-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-1,4a,5,6,7,7a-hexahydrocyclopenta[c]pyran-4-carboxylate | 14632886 | Click to see | 584.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(90)85040-M |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| Friedelin | 91472 | Click to see | 426.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97886-5 |
| Oleanolic Acid | 10494 | Click to see | 456.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97886-5 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Steroid acids | |||||
| 3,4-Secooleana-4(23),12-dien-3-oic acid | 12313631 | Click to see | 440.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97886-5 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| beta-Sitosterol 3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside | 296119 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)C | 576.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97886-5 |
| Sitogluside | 5742590 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)C | 576.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)97886-5 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Coumaric acids and derivatives | |||||
| Calceolarioside A | 5273566 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1CCOC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)OC(=O)C=CC3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)O)O)O)O)O | 478.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2008-1034373 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| 5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-[[(2R,3R,4S,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxymethyl]oxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one | 154497089 | Click to see | 594.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-4039(75)80027-X |
| Astragalin | 5282102 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O | 448.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-4039(75)80027-X |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |