Identification No.: SDACH/HG/055
Botanical Name
– Gardenia gummifera
Family Name
– Rubiaceae
Vernacular Names
– Hindi: Nadihingu, Dikamali
– English: Gum Gardenia
– Kannada: Nadi-Shenga
– Telugu: Bikshu
– Tamil: Madhurappattai
– Malayalam: Madhuram
Synonyms
“नादिहिङ्गुः स्मृतो दीप्तो ग्राही पित्तकफापहः।“
(Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Guduchyadi Varga)
Classification According to Charak, Sushruta, Vagbhata & Bhav Prakash
– Charak: Not explicitly mentioned; inferred under Shoolaprashamana (pain-relievers).
– Sushruta: Not directly classified.
– Bhav Prakash -Guduchyadi Varga (herbs with digestive and anti-inflammatory properties).
Habitat & Distribution
– Habitat: Dry deciduous forests, rocky terrains.
– Distribution:India (Deccan Plateau, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh), Sri Lanka.
Morphology (API/CCRAS Standards)
– Root/Stem: Hard, woody, exudes yellowish gum resin.
– Leaves: Oblong, glossy, arranged oppositely.
– Flowers: White, fragrant, solitary.
– Fruit:Oblong berry, turns orange when ripe.
Varieties
– Close relatives: Gardenia resinifera (substitute in some regions).
Substitute/Adulterant
– Substitute:Ferula assa-foetida (Hingu) in some formulations.
– Adulterant: Low-quality gum resins from other plants.
Phytochemicals
– Gum Resin:Contains gardenolic acid, flavonoids, tannins, essential oils.
– Root:Triterpenoids, saponins.
Rasapanchaka
– Rasa (Taste): Katu (pungent), Tikta (bitter)
– Guna (Quality): Laghu (light), Ruksha (dry)
– Virya (Potency): Ushna (hot)
– Vipaka (Post-digestive effect): Katu (pungent)
– Prabhava (Special effect): Deepana (appetite stimulant)
-Dosha Shamakta: Balances Kapha and Vata, aggravates Pitta in excess.
Karma (Rogaghnata)
– Digestive, carminative, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, wound-healing.
Amayika Prayoga/Therapeutic Uses
External:
– Gum Paste: Applied on wounds, ulcers, and rheumatic joints.
– Oil Infusion: Used for massage in arthritis.
Internal:
– Digestive Disorders: 1–2 gm gum powder with warm water for bloating.
– Respiratory Issues:Decoction with honey for cough.
Part Used
– Gum resin, root bark.
Dose
– Gum Powder:1–3 gm/day.
– Decoction ; 50–100 ml.
Yoga/Formulations
– Hingvadi Churna: For digestive issues.
– Nadihingu Taila:For joint pain.
IUCN Status : Least Concern
Research Updates
1. 2021:Antimicrobial study showed efficacy against E. coli (Journal of Ethnopharmacology).
2. 2022: Anti-arthritic potential validated in rodent models (Ayurveda Research Paper).
3. 2023: Phytochemical profiling identified novel triterpenoids (Phytochemistry Letters).
