Jadwar Khatai | Jadwar | Delphinium denudatum | جدوار | جدوار خطائی

Jadwar (Delphinium denudatum, Ranunculaceae) is a perennial of the buttercup family that grows to about three feet in height with light blue, star-like flowers that bloom from July to August. It is hermaphroditic, containing both male and female reproductive organs on the same flower.

Also known as Nirvisha or Nirvishi, the roots are used in Ayurveda as a neuroprotective and cardioprotective against poison, as an appetite stimulant, and for abdominal issues. The herb is used to treat both snake and spider bites as well as digitalis toxicity. Jadwar is said to affect the brain, heart, liver, stomach, and nervous system and is considered hot, pungent, bitter, light, and dry. Medical properties include antitoxic, appetite stimulant, cardiac and digestive stimulant, cholagogue (promotes discharge of bile), aphrodisiac, antipyretic, depurative (purifies blood), and mucolytic. Internally, jadwar is used for jaundice, cough, asthma, dysmenorrhea, kidney stones, and the common cold.

In Unani medicine, classical texts have listed jadwar root as analgesic, anxiolytic, antibacterial, antifungal, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antifungal, sedative and a tonic for brain, nerves, teeth, stomach, and vision. It is used to treat epilepsy, hysteria, migraines, tremors, infant convulsions, arthritis, rheumatism, toothache, opium addiction, scorpion stings, and to improve skin complexion.

In Persian medicine, jadwar is known as Mar-Parvin, meaning moon and Pleaides, potentially because the flowers blossom when the Pleaides begin to rise at the beginning of summer in Iran. A small randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial conducted in Iran indicated that jadwar may be beneficial for helping with fatigue symptoms. As the trial was conducted on men alone, larger trials which include women are needed to confirm these findings.