Agastya (Sesbania grandiflora)

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Agastya (Sesbania grandiflora)

Introduction to Agastya (Sesbania grandiflora):

  • Agastya (Sesbania grandiflora) is a prominent medicinal and culinary tree in the Ayurvedic tradition.
  • Known for its soft wood, rapid growth, and therapeutic flowers, this plant is highly valued for its role in supporting holistic health, plant-based therapy, and a variety of wellness protocols.
  • The beautiful, boat-shaped flowers (which may be red, white, blue, or yellow) bloom around September and October, adding ornamental value alongside wellness benefits.

Botanical Description and Parts Used of Agastya:

  • This medicinal plant typically reaches 3 to 8 meters, with regular, pinnate leaves and distinctive fruit pods housing 15-30 seeds.
  • Every portion of the edible flowers, pods, leaves, bark, and even the wood is used across cuisines, Ayurveda, and home remedies.
  • Due to its sturdy yet light wood, it also functions as a sustainable alternative to bamboo.

Natural Habitat, Cultivation, and Regional Varieties:

  1. Agastya (Sesbania grandiflora) is native to tropical regions like North America and Malaysia.
  2. But it is extensively cultivated for its resilience in Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Indonesia, and the Philippines. 
  3. It thrives in humid climates and is often grown with guinea grass or between rice fields.

Agastya (Sesbania grandiflora) in Ayurveda: Ancient Texts and Dosha Effects

  1. Classic Ayurvedic texts such as Charak Samhita, Sushrut Samhita, and Bhavprakash reference this versatile plant, categorized under Saka Varga (vegetable group) and Pushpa Varga (flower group).
  2. Agastya is said to bloom during Sharad Ritu, aligning with significant astrological days in Ayurveda.

Classification:

  • Kingdom: Plantae

  • Order: Fabales

  • Family: Fabaceae

Regional & Common Names of Agastya (Sesbania grandiflora):

Language Common Names
English Agathi, West Indian Tree, Vegetable Hummingbird, Flamingo Bill, White Dragon tree, Swamp pea, Sesban, Tree bean, Large-flowered Agato, Brede
Hindi Aghastya, Agast, Hathya, Basna, Bakpushpa, Vakrapushpa, Agasi, Chogachi
Sanskrit Vangasena, Agasti, Agastya
Bengali Olatkaombol, Bak
Tamil Sivappututti, Agati
Kannada Agase, Agache, Kempagase
Malayalam Aagatti, Atti, Akatti
Oriya Agasti
Gujarati Agathiyo, Ayathio
Filipino Gauai-gauai
French Pois valette
Nepali Agasti
Sinhala Kathuru
Cambodian Angkea day
Botanical Sesbania grandiflora

Ayurvedic Properties & Characteristics of Agastya:

Property Hindi/Sanskrit English Description
Rasa (Taste) Tikta Bitter Supports digestion, promotes bile secretion, stimulates appetite
Guna (Physical Property) Laghu, Ruksha Light, Dry Enhances digestive fire, reduces heaviness, supports lymphatic drainage
Virya (Potency) Sheeta Cold Balances excess heat and inflammation, cools digestive system
Vipaka (Post-Digestive Taste) Katu Pungent Stimulates metabolic processes, improves nutrient absorption

Effects on Doshas: How Agastya Balances Tridosha

Ayurvedic Text Classification Varga Reference
Charak Samhita Therapeutic herb — General Dosha reference
Sushrut Samhita Saka Varga Vegetable category Traditional classification
Vagbhata Pushpa Varga Flower category Therapeutic flowers
Bhavprakash Saka varga, Pushpa varga Multiple categories Comprehensive recognition
Rajnighantu Four varieties Flower color-based Specialized classification

Varieties Based on Flower Color (as per Rajnighantu - Specialized Classification):

Rajnighantu believes that Agastya comes in four different types based on the color of the flowers:

  • Lohita Agastya (Red flowers) - Warming properties, supports circulation, enhances Pitta-regulating benefits

  • Peeta Agastya (Yellow flowers) - Digestive support, promotes metabolism, aids detoxification

  • Neel Agastya (Blue flowers) - Cooling properties, calms inflammation, balances Pitta excess

  • Sita Agastya (White flowers) - Balancing properties, general wellness, constitutional harmony

Practical uses:

  • The plant's blossoms have an astringent effect on the body and a bitter flavor. Intermittent fever, night blindness, rhinitis, runny nose, abdominal pain, and many forms of liver and spleen diseases can all be treated with it.

  • If there is chronic toxicity brought on by bad dietary habits over time, it might be utilized to detoxify the body.

  • Agastya plant leaves are non-slimy, bitter, and have a hot potency. These can successfully balance kapha dosha despite being difficult to digest.

  • In cases of worm infestations and bleeding conditions like menorrhagia and ulcerative colitis, the leaves are beneficial. These also have the ability to be tonic for the body.

  • Fruits called Agastya are excellent for balancing pitta dosha. It promotes weight loss and supports the treatment of abdominal malignancies. Additionally, they aid in increasing intelligence and memory.

  • While the flowers aid in treating diarrhea, the bark helps to manage IBS symptoms and improves low digestive strength and constipation.

  • The plant's bark and roots are also applied topically to the body.

  • The leaves' juicy essence can be used as Nasya to treat epilepsy and upper respiratory tract diseases with a Kapha dominance.

  • You can use leaf paste to treat throat and mouth issues.

  • To treat gout and arthritis pain and inflammation, the root bark is applied topically. Rheumatism is treated using the paste of the red flower Agastya.

  • For people with epilepsy, Nasya uses a leaf juice extract.

Ayurvedic products:

Agastya haritaki avleha

Recent Research:

It has qualities that are both anti-anxiolytic and anti-proliferative (against human cancer cells).

Parts used:

  • Whole plant

  • Flowers

  • Tender fruits

  • Bark

  • Leaves

Dosage:

  • Flower: 5 - 10 g.

  • Leaf juice: 10 - 20 ml.

  • Decoction: 50 - 100 ml.