Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Shati

Hedychium spicatum Buch.-Ham. ex Sm.

Shati (Hedychium spicatum Buch.-Ham. ex Sm.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Zingiberaceae family. Not in WHO monographs; listed in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; recognized in Tibetan and Nepali traditional medicine systems.

Key facts
Botanical nameHedychium spicatum Buch.-Ham. ex Sm.
FamilyZingiberaceae · other entries in this family
OrderZingiberales
Pharmacopoeia statusNot in WHO monographs; listed in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; recognized in Tibetan and Nepali traditional medicine systems
Taxon identifiersGBIF 2758631 · Wikidata Q3628042 · NCBI Taxonomy 110723

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishShati
Latin/BotanicalHedychium spicatum Buch.-Ham. ex Sm.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

How does it work?

  • Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity through terpenoid-mediated inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis and COX pathways
  • Anti-asthmatic effect via antihistaminic action and bronchodilation through 1,8-cineole and other monoterpenes
  • CNS-depressant and tranquilizing activity through modulation of GABAergic neurotransmission
  • Hepatoprotective mechanism via antioxidant restoration and reduction of lipid peroxidation by hedychenone

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Cough and respiratory disorders (Kasa-hara, Shvasa-hara) - validated through confirmed antihistaminic, bronchodilatory, and expectorant properties
  • Fever reduction (Jvarahara) - confirmed antipyretic activity through anti-inflammatory mechanisms
  • Anti-emetic and nausea relief (Chhardi-nigrahana) - traditional digestive use supported by carminative and antiemetic studies
  • Anti-inflammatory (Shotha-hara) - validated through in vivo carrageenan-induced paw edema models

What do recent clinical trials show?

3 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

  • Generally safe at recommended Ayurvedic doses; essential oil may cause skin sensitization in topical applications at high concentrations
  • Limited chronic toxicity data available; not recommended during pregnancy due to potential uterine effects of terpenoids

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

  • Cineole
  • Camphene
  • Limonene
  • Myrcene
  • Sabinene
  • Sitosterol
  • Linalool
  • Hedychenone

Analytical Methods: HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kwatha (decoction), Avaleha (confection/jam), Capsule, Essential oil (inhalation), Vati (tablet)

Standard Dosage: 1-3 g rhizome powder per day; 50-100 mL kwatha twice daily; 5-10 g avaleha with honey twice daily; 500 mg capsule twice daily

Bioavailability: Sesquiterpene lactones and essential oil constituents show moderate to good oral bioavailability (30-50%). Volatile compounds (camphor, borneol) are rapidly absorbed through both oral and inhalation routes. Cucurbitacin content (if present) has dose-dependent toxicity — bioavailability monitoring important.

Optimal Timing: After meals for respiratory indications; avaleha with honey for cough (Kasa) management; inhalation as needed

Standardized Extract: Rhizome extract (8:1 in 60% ethanol), standardized to NLT 2% total sesquiterpene lactones by HPLC; essential oil standardized to NLT 15% 1,8-cineole and NLT 10% camphor by GC-MS

Shelf Life: 12 months for essential oil; 24 months for churna; 18 months for avaleha; 36 months for capsules

Storage: Essential oil in amber glass, nitrogen headspace, 15-25 deg C. Churna in airtight containers below 25 deg C. Avaleha in glass jars, protect from moisture.

Marker Compounds: 1,8-Cineole (eucalyptol), Camphor, Borneol, Hedychenone, Coronarin D, Beta-sitosterol

Extraction Methods

  • Steam distillation for essential oil (yield 0.5-1.5%)
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (60% ethanol)
  • Aqueous decoction
  • CO2 supercritical extraction for terpenoid enrichment
  • Traditional avaleha preparation with jaggery and honey

Synergistic Combinations

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses1

  1. Rawat S, Jugran AK, Bhatt ID and others. 2018. Hedychium spicatum: a systematic review on traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and future prospectusThe Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology. PMID 29484653 · doi:10.1111/jphp.12890

Other clinical studies and reviews3

  1. Maurya AK, Baliyan N, Kumar R and others. 2022. Synthesis of Sulfur-Containing Analogues of Hedychenone, a Labdane Diterpenoid from Hedychium spicatumJournal of natural products. PMID 35790346 · doi:10.1021/acs.jnatprod.2c00112
  2. Tavares WR, Barreto MDC, Seca AML. 2020. Uncharted Source of Medicinal Products: The Case of the Hedychium GenusMedicines (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 32354114 · doi:10.3390/medicines7050023
  3. Bisht GS, Awasthi AK, Dhole TN. 2006. Antimicrobial activity of Hedychium spicatumFitoterapia. PMID 16530343 · doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2006.02.004

Laboratory and animal studies8

  1. Xavier A, Gowda V. 2024. Characterization of SSR markers from draft genome assembly and genotypic data in Hedychium spicatum (Zingiberaceae)Data in brief. PMID 39183967 · doi:10.1016/j.dib.2024.110568
  2. Gangwar A, Tewari G, Pande C and others. 2024. Effect of drying conditions on the chemical compositions, molecular docking interactions and antioxidant activity of Hedychium spicatum Buch.-Ham. Rhizome essential oilScientific reports. PMID 39562660 · doi:10.1038/s41598-024-79712-5
  3. Farooq N, Anwar F, Saleem U and others. 2023. The wound healing potential of Hedychium spicatum Sm. and Zinnia peruviana (L.) ethanolic extracts against excision wound model in ratsJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 37001768 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2023.116404
  4. Ray A, Gadnayak A, Jena S and others. 2023. Hedychium spicatum rhizome essential oil induces apoptosis in human prostate adenocarcinoma PC-3 cells via mitochondrial stress and caspase activationHeliyon. PMID 36873474 · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13807
  5. Gupta H, Deeksha, Urvashi and others. 2023. Insecticidal and Detoxification Enzyme Inhibition Activities of Essential Oils for the Control of Pulse Beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) and Callosobruchus chinensis (L.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36677552 · doi:10.3390/molecules28020492
  6. Rawat A, Prakash OM, Nagarkoti K and others. 2023. Chemical composition, pesticidal activities and in-silico investigation of Hedychium spicatum Sm. chloroform extractAnais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias. PMID 37466542 · doi:10.1590/0001-3765202320220964
  7. Kalagatur NK, Kamasani JR, Siddaiah C and others. 2018. Combinational Inhibitory Action of Hedychium spicatum L. Essential Oil and γ-Radiation on Growth Rate and Mycotoxins Content of Fusarium graminearum in Maize: Response Surface MethodologyFrontiers in microbiology. PMID 30108550 · doi:10.3389/fmicb.2018.01511
  8. Rawat S, Jugran AK, Bahukhandi A and others. 2016. Anti-oxidant and anti-microbial properties of some ethno-therapeutically important medicinal plants of Indian Himalayan Region3 Biotech. PMID 28330226 · doi:10.1007/s13205-016-0470-2

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