# Parijata

> Parijata (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Oleaceae family. Included in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. [Nyctanthes arbor-tristis: A Multifaceted Medicinal Plant in Traditional and Contemporary Medicine](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41213599/).

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L.
- **Family:** Oleaceae
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Included in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Recognized in Indian traditional medicine systems (AYUSH). No dedicated WHO monograph. Listed in various national herbal pharmacopeias of Southeast Asian countries.

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Parijata |
| Latin/Botanical | *Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L.* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- Nyctanthin (iridoid glycoside)
- Arbortristoside-A, B, C
- D-[mannitol](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#mannitolmannitol)
- Beta-[sitosterol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sitosterol)
- [Friedelin](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#friedelin)
- [Lupeol](/reference/lupeol/)
- Oleanic acid
- Tannic acid
- [Carotenoids](/glossary/compounds-a-c/#carotenoids) ([crocin](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#crocin)-related)
- Benzoic acid
- Nyctanthic acid
- Essential oils (methyl salicylate)

## How does it work?

- Antimalarial activity via arbortristosides disrupting plasmodium schizont maturation and erythrocytic stages
- Anti-inflammatory action through inhibition of COX-2 and LOX pathways and suppression of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta
- [Immunomodulatory](/reference/immunomodulatory/) effects via stimulation of T-cell proliferation, NK cell activity and macrophage activation
- [Hepatoprotective](/reference/hepatoprotective/) mechanism through restoration of [antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/) enzyme levels and reduction of lipid peroxidation (MDA)

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- [Antipyretic](/reference/antipyretic/) and antimalarial use for fevers validated through Plasmodium berghei-infected mouse models and clinical observations
- Anti-arthritic use confirmed through adjuvant-induced arthritis models with significant reduction in paw edema and joint inflammation
- Anthelmintic activity validated against Ascaridia galli and Pheretima posthuma in vitro
- Hepatoprotective effects confirmed against paracetamol-induced liver damage in rodent models

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Aggarwal A, Mehta DK, Bhardwaj A and others 2026. [Nyctanthes arbor-tristis: A Multifaceted Medicinal Plant in Traditional and Contemporary Medicine](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41213599/). *Planta medica*. PMID [41213599](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41213599/) · [doi:10.1055/a-2706-7358](https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2706-7358)  
  Comprehensive review confirmed [neuroprotective](/reference/neuroprotective/), immunomodulatory, and hepatoprotective potential of arbortristosides and nyctanthin through modulation of oxidative stress and inflammatory cascades.

*2 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.*

## Recent safety updates

- Most pharmacological studies lack proper dosage standardization, positive and negative controls; clinical human trials are limited
- Leaves decoction used traditionally for fever is generally safe at recommended doses; excessive use may cause gastric irritation. Not recommended during pregnancy without medical supervision.

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (leaf powder), Kwatha (decoction), Capsule, Tablet, Swarasa (fresh juice), Ark (distillate), Taila (oil)

**Standard Dosage:** 1-3 g leaf powder daily; 15-30 mL leaf decoction twice daily; 10-15 mL fresh leaf juice; 500-750 mg standardized extract daily

**Bioavailability:** Nyctanthic acid and arbortristosides show moderate oral bioavailability (20-35%). Iridoid glycosides undergo hydrolysis by intestinal beta-glucosidases releasing aglycones with enhanced absorption. Arbortristoside-A demonstrates anti-malarial activity with Tmax of 2-3 hours. Phenolic glycosides from leaves are moderately absorbed and undergo Phase II metabolism (glucuronidation, sulfation).

**Optimal Timing:** For fever: decoction taken early morning on empty stomach (traditional protocol). For arthritis and chronic conditions: after meals, twice daily. Fresh juice: morning on empty stomach.

**Standardized Extract:** Parijata leaf extract (8:1) standardized to arbortristosides >1.5%, nyctanthic acid >0.8%, total iridoid glycosides >3%. Fresh juice preserved with sodium benzoate (0.1%) for short-term shelf life.

**Shelf Life:** Dried leaf: 12-18 months; Fresh juice: 2-3 days refrigerated (preserved: 3-6 months); Extract: 24 months; Tablets/Capsules: 24-36 months

**Storage:** Dried leaves: airtight containers, below 25 deg C, RH <55%, protected from light. Extracts: amber containers, below 25 deg C. Fresh juice: 2-8 deg C. Taila: room temperature, amber glass.

**Marker Compounds:** Arbortristoside-A, Arbortristoside-C, Nyctanthic acid, Nyctanthin, Iridoid glycosides, D-[mannitol](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#mannitolmannitol), Tannic acid, Beta-sitosterol, Oleanolic acid

### Extraction Methods

- Aqueous decoction (traditional Kwatha)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (50-70% ethanol)
- Methanol extraction for iridoid glycoside enrichment
- Fresh juice expression for Swarasa
- Steam distillation for Ark preparation
- Ethyl acetate fractionation for arbortristosides

### Synergistic Combinations

- [Guduchi](/herb/guduchi/) (anti-pyretic and immune modulation synergy)
- [Tulsi](/herb/tulsi/) (antimicrobial and febrifuge combination)
- [Chirayata](/herb/chirayata/) (anti-malarial and bitter tonic)
- [Pippali](/herb/pippali/) (bioenhancer for improved absorption)
- [Haridra](/herb/haridra/) (anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective)

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/parijata/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.