Agastya — Hummingbird Tree

Ayurvedic herb Agastya (Sesbania grandiflora) — Hummingbird Tree. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Tikta, Virya Sheeta, Vipaka Katu. Balances Pitta.

Ayurvedic Herbs A–Z 1 min read

Sesbania grandiflora flowers and leaves are used for their cooling properties and in treating night blindness.

ⓘ Information

Property	Value	Description
Rasa	Tikta	Tikta (Bitter) — detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic
Guna	Laghu, Ruksha	Laghu (Light) — easy to digest, promotes lightness; Ruksha (Dry) — absorbs moisture, drying
Virya	Sheeta	Sheeta (Cold) — cooling, decreases Pitta and inflammation
Vipaka	Katu	Katu (Pungent) — post-digestive pungent, lightening
Prabhava	Jwaraghna, Chakshushya	Jwaraghna — antipyretic, reduces fever; Chakshushya — eye health promoter

Sanskrit Synonyms

In the classical Ayurvedic texts, Agastya is known by the following Sanskrit names:

Vangasena, Munidruma, Vratari, Dirghachhana

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Agastya are: pushpa, patra, twak.

Main Indications

Agastya is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Naktandhya, Pinasa, Jwara, Chardi, Kasa.

Dosha Effects

Agastya pacifies Pitta.

It may aggravate Vata, Kapha when used in excess or in sensitive individuals.

Usage

Agastya is used in classical Ayurvedic formulations. Consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner for appropriate dosage and preparation based on your constitution (Prakriti) and current imbalance (Vikriti).

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API)

Source: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India — Government of India, Ministry of AYUSH

Rasa (Taste)Kauu, Tikta

Guna (Quality)Laghu

Virya (Potency)Uṣḍa

Vipaka (Post-digestive effect)Kauu

Karma (Action)V¡tahara, Pittahara, Kaphahara, Kaḍuha¿odhana, Ras¡yana

Dose3-6 g in powder form.

Therapeutic Uses: Galagaḍta, Mūtrakrcchra, Viṣaroga

Important Formulations: Ratnagiri Rasa, Vajrakap¡ua Rasa.

Botanical Name: Sesbania sesban (Fabaceae)

Part Used: Lf.

Therapeutic Uses (IMPPAT Database)

Source: Indian Medicinal Plants, Phytochemistry And Therapeutics (IMPPAT) v1.0 — CC BY 4.0

Part Used	Therapeutic Use	Identifiers	References
bark	Antipyretics	MESH:D058633,UMLS:C0003419, ICD-11:XM1RS7	ISBN:9788172363178
bark	Antitoxins	MESH:D000992,UMLS:C0003445, ICD-11:XM5CP2	Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
bark	Astringents	MESH:D001252,UMLS:C0004110, ICD-11:XM0VK6	ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172363178, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
bark	Colic	MESH:D003085,UMLS:C0232488, ICD-11:MD81.4	ISBN:9788171360536
bark	Diarrhea	MESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1	ISBN:9788171360536
bark	Dyspepsia	MESH:D004415,UMLS:C0013395, ICD-11:DD90.3	ISBN:9788171360536
bark	General tonic for rejuvenation	MESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016	ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172363178
bark	Smallpox	MESH:D012899,UMLS:C0037354, DOID:8736, ICD-11:1E70	ISBN:9788172361266, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
flower	Antipyretics	MESH:D058633,UMLS:C0003419, ICD-11:XM1RS7	ISBN:9788173717062
flower	Astringents	MESH:D001252,UMLS:C0004110, ICD-11:XM0VK6	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
flower	Bronchitis	MESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20	ISBN:9788171360536
flower	Common cold	MESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788172361266
flower	Cough	MESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
flower	Digestive system diseases	MESH:D004066,UMLS:C0012242, ICD-11:DE2Z	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
flower	Eye diseases	MESH:D005128,UMLS:C0015397, DOID:5614, ICD-11:9E1Z	ISBN:9788172363178
flower	Fever	MESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788173717062
flower	Headache	MESH:D006261,UMLS:C0018681, ICD-11:8A81.Z	ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172363178, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
flower	Leukorrhea	MESH:D007973,UMLS:C0023533, DOID:3766, ICD-11:MF3A	ISBN:9788171360536
flower	Night blindness	MESH:D009755,UMLS:C0028077, DOID:8499, ICD-11:MC1Y	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717062
flower	Pneumonia	MESH:D011014,UMLS:C0032285, DOID:552, ICD-11:CA40.0Z	ISBN:9788171360536
flower	Rhinitis	MESH:D012220,UMLS:C0035455, DOID:4483, ICD-11:CA09.0	ISBN:9788172363178, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
fruit	Anemia	MESH:D000740,UMLS:C0002871, DOID:2355, ICD-11:3A9Z	ISBN:9788171360536
fruit	Emaciation	MESH:D004614,UMLS:C0013911, ICD-11:5B51	ISBN:9788173717062
fruit	Flatulence	MESH:D005414,UMLS:C0016204, ICD-11:ME08	ISBN:9788173717062
fruit	Infection	MESH:D007239,UMLS:C3714514, ICD-11:1H0Z	ISBN:9788173717062
fruit	Laxatives	MESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3	ISBN:9788173717062
leaf	Anemia	MESH:D000740,UMLS:C0002871, DOID:2355, ICD-11:3A9Z	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
leaf	Anthelmintics	MESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
leaf	Common cold	MESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00	ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788173717062
leaf	Contusions	MESH:D003288,UMLS:C0009938, ICD-11:ND56.0	ISBN:9788172363178
leaf	Diuretics	MESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06	ISBN:9788173717062
leaf	Epilepsy	MESH:D004827,UMLS:C0014544, DOID:1826, ICD-11:8A6Z	ISBN:9788171360536
leaf	Headache	MESH:D006261,UMLS:C0018681, ICD-11:8A81.Z	ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172363178, ISBN:9788173717062, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
leaf	Hematemesis	MESH:D006396,UMLS:C0018926, ICD-11:ME24.A5	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
leaf	Laxatives	MESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788173717062
leaf	Memory disorders	MESH:D008569,UMLS:C0025261	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
leaf	Mouth diseases	MESH:D009059,UMLS:C0026636, DOID:403	ISBN:9788173717062
leaf	Neoplasms	MESH:D009369,UMLS:C0027651, DOID:162, ICD-11:2E2Z	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
leaf	Night blindness	MESH:D009755,UMLS:C0028077, DOID:8499, ICD-11:MC1Y	ISBN:9788173717062
leaf	Anti-poisoning	MESH:D011041, ICD-11:NE6Z	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
leaf	Pruritus	MESH:D011537,UMLS:C0033774, ICD-11:EC90	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
leaf	Rhinitis	MESH:D012220,UMLS:C0035455, DOID:4483, ICD-11:CA09.0	ISBN:9788172363178, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
leaf	Endocrine system diseases	MESH:D004700,UMLS:C0014130, DOID:28, ICD-11:5B3Z	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
root	Abdominal pain	MESH:D015746,UMLS:C0000737, SYMP:0000457, ICD-11:MD81.4	ISBN:9788173717062
root	Anthelmintics	MESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0	ISBN:9788173717062
root	Antipyretics	MESH:D058633,UMLS:C0003419, ICD-11:XM1RS7	ISBN:9788173717062
root	Arthralgia	MESH:D018771,UMLS:C0003862, ICD-11:ME82	ISBN:9788171360536
root	Common cold	MESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00	ISBN:9788171360536
root	Diarrhea	MESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1	ISBN:9788173717062
root	Dyspepsia	MESH:D004415,UMLS:C0013395, ICD-11:DD90.3	ISBN:9788173717062
root	Expectorants	MESH:D005100,UMLS:C0015314	ISBN:9788172363178
root	Scabies	MESH:D012532,UMLS:C0036262, DOID:8295, ICD-11:1G04	ISBN:9788173717062
seed	Suppuration	MESH:D013492,UMLS:C3203360	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
seed	Ulcer	MESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
	Antipyretics	MESH:D058633,UMLS:C0003419, ICD-11:XM1RS7	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9780387706375
	Astringents	MESH:D001252,UMLS:C0004110, ICD-11:XM0VK6	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9780387706375
	Common cold	MESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9780387706375
	Cough	MESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
	Diuretics	MESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06	ISBN:9788172363178
	Expectorants	MESH:D005100,UMLS:C0015314	ISBN:9788172363178
	Fever	MESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
	Histamine antagonists	MESH:D006633,UMLS:C0019590, ICD-11:XM5PK9	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9780387706375
	Laxatives	MESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3	ISBN:9788172363178
	Muscle strength	MESH:D053580,UMLS:C0517349	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
	General tonic for rejuvenation	MESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788172363178
	Skin pigmentation	MESH:D012880,UMLS:C0037290	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
	Smallpox	MESH:D012899,UMLS:C0037354, DOID:8736, ICD-11:1E70	ISBN:9788172363178