Harsingar is a small ornamental tree with fragrant white flowers and is also known by many names such as sheuli, night jasmine, parijat. Its botanical name is Nyctanthes arbor-tristis. The plant has health benefits like it reduces pain and inflammation. It also reduces the pain of arthritis, stress, muscle tension, and rheumatism. It helps in treating vertigo and anxiety. Cures dandruff and prevents hair from turning grey and is a strong antibacterial and antiviral herb.

Our member Urvashi Puri writes 

“This beautiful plant is here on Earth from the ancient Vedic kaal’.
It sheds its flowers as soon as the sun rises, This is the only flowers which can be offered to divine even after their falling on the ground, It is because of the tremendous qualities it possesses,
Exactly before Pooja time, it starts giving flowers,
It is said in scriptures Vastushastra, that if it is planted at the entrance, it blocks every negative energy to enter the house, also it is very sensitive plant it needs your love and care, else it dies soon,

Its aura is very very divine, I personally feel that it covers all negativity and spreads love energy possess such medicinal qualities that if you boil its leaves and drink it clears vat-doshas, means joint pains, arthritis spondylitis, etc. It reduce s the blood acidity also, and numerous benefits still unknown to me. Its flowers are used in face packs to enhance the glow.”

Prerna Manchanda : Harsingar, flowers after October for 2-3 months, grows into a tree, gives plentiful seeds also. Amazing fragrance, flowers are edible also, the orange stem gives a yellowish color.

Ankita Borthakur : This flower is called “sewali phool” in Assamese and can also be fried and eaten. It’s a bit bitter to taste but has great medicinal value as per Assamese culture. Almost every home in our villages has one Sewali Phool tree to ward off negative energy from the surroundings. In reality, it is a great air detoxifying agent. If consumed it raw in empty stomach, helps fight malarial parasites too!

Ankita Chandra “Shiuli Phool”-I have very nostalgic memories of it!! Reminds me of my Kolkata days when early morning as kids we would collect this flower from below the tree just before the Durga Puja starts.
The flower dipped in the morning dew …. the aroma, nothing seemed more beautiful then!!

Yes this plant has a lot of benefits, however, we would urge you check with your doctor before trying any remedies