Photo: Dinesh Valke from Thane, India / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Danti दन्ती
Baliospermum montanum · Euphorbiaceae
Also known as: Wild Croton, Danti Mool
Part used: Root
Danti (Baliospermum montanum) is a shrub whose root is a classical purgative, used in Ayurveda for constipation, abdominal swelling and skin disease. It is a strong Virechana drug, related to the castor and croton family, and needs purification and careful dosing before use.
| Rasa (taste) | Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent) |
|---|---|
| Guna (qualities) | Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry) |
| Virya (potency) | Ushna (Hot) |
| Vipaka | Katu (Pungent) |
| Dosha | Balances Kapha & Vata |
| Prabhava | Classical systemic action |
Key takeaways
- Botanical name: Baliospermum montanum
- Part used: Root
- Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata
- Typical dose: Purified root powder in small, supervised doses for purgation.
Danti in other languages
Introduction
Danti (Baliospermum montanum) is a classical purgative herb whose root clears excess Pitta and Kapha through the bowels. Potent and downward-acting, it is used in controlled detoxification.
Classification
Of the Euphorbiaceae family, Danti is grouped among the Virechana (purgative) dravyas. Its pungent taste, sharp quality and heating potency mobilise and expel doshas downward.
Uses & benefits
Danti is a purgative drug, used in Virechana — the classical purgation therapy — and in obstinate constipation, abdominal swelling and skin disease where a downward clearing is wanted. It is a strong drug, given in measured doses and usually after Shodhana processing.
Danti for constipation
A classical Virechana drug, used where a gentle laxative has failed. Stronger than Aragvadha and correspondingly more carefully dosed.
Danti for abdominal swelling
Used in Udara-roga, where purgation is the classical approach to abdominal distension and fluid.
Danti for skin disease
Named among the Kushtaghna drugs, on the principle that clearing the bowel clears chronic skin conditions.
Danti for piles
Used in Arshas where hard stool aggravates the condition, softening and moving the bowel.
Danti for worms
A Krimighna drug, expelling intestinal parasites through its purgative action.
Danti in Panchakarma
One of the drugs used in therapeutic purgation, given under supervision as part of formal Virechana.
Danti for jaundice
Used in Kamala within compound formulations, again through the purgative route.
Danti for enlarged spleen
Named in Pliha-roga, always at small dose within a formulation.
Danti leaf externally
The leaf is applied to painful swellings and piles as a local application.
Danti in classical formulations
A component of Dantyarishta and several of the classical purgative and skin compounds.
Dosage — how much to take
Purified root powder in small, supervised doses for purgation. Follow your Vaidya's advice.
Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm with a qualified Vaidya.
Traditional uses — questions answered from the classical texts
Answers are drawn from the citations and properties recorded for this drug. No chapter-and-verse reference appears that the record does not carry.
Which classical texts describe Danti?
The citations held for Danti in this catalogue are: Charaka Samhita (Virechana context); Sharangdhara Samhita (Virechana Kalpana).
What does the Charaka Samhita record about Danti?
Cited for therapeutic purgation. Reference: Charaka Samhita — Virechana context.
What does the Sharangdhara Samhita record about Danti?
Described among purgative dravyas. Reference: Sharangdhara Samhita — Virechana Kalpana.
What is Danti traditionally used for in Ayurveda?
Danti is a purgative drug, used in Virechana — the classical purgation therapy — and in obstinate constipation, abdominal swelling and skin disease where a downward clearing is wanted. It is a strong drug, given in measured doses and usually after Shodhana processing.
What are the Ayurvedic properties of Danti?
Rasa Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent), Guna Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry), Virya Ushna (Hot), Vipaka Katu (Pungent). Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata. Prabhava: Classical systemic action.
Why is Danti classified the way it is?
In dravya-guna a drug's dosha action follows from its taste, qualities, potency and post-digestive effect. Danti carries Ushna (Hot) virya and Katu (Pungent) vipaka, which together give the recorded action: Balances Kapha & Vata.
Which part of Danti is used medicinally?
The part used is Root.
How much Danti is taken, and how?
Purified root powder in small, supervised doses for purgation. Follow your Vaidya's advice. Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm it with a qualified Vaidya.
When should Danti be avoided?
A potent purgative — use only in purified form and appropriate doses under supervision. Avoid in pregnancy and weakness.
Where does Danti grow?
Danti is a shrub of the hill forests and waste ground across India, its root used medicinally.
Classical references
- Sharangdhara Samhita — Virechana Kalpana
Described among purgative dravyas. - Charaka Samhita — Virechana context
Cited for therapeutic purgation.
Modern research
-
Protective effect of extracts of Baliospermum montanum (Willd.) Muell.-Arg. against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity: an in vivo and in vitro study
(see source). Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine (2015)
A study reporting Baliospermum montanum (Danti) extract protected against paracetamol-induced liver damage, comparably to silymarin, alongside its classical purgative use.
View study doi:10.4103/0257-7941.147427
Safety & precautions
A potent purgative — use only in purified form and appropriate doses under supervision. Avoid in pregnancy and weakness.
Where it grows
Danti is a shrub of the hill forests and waste ground across India, its root used medicinally.
Frequently asked questions
What is Danti used for?
Danti root is a strong classical purgative used for stubborn constipation, abdominal swelling, chronic skin disease, piles and worms. It is a Panchakarma drug used in formal therapeutic purgation rather than an everyday laxative.
Is Danti safe to take?
Only purified, correctly dosed, and preferably under supervision. It belongs to the same family as croton and castor, and unpurified or excessive doses cause violent purging, cramping and dehydration. This is not a herb for self-medication.
What is the dose of Danti?
Purified root powder 500 mg – 2 g, as a physician directs, and not for continuous use. The dose is deliberately narrow because the margin between effective purgation and violent purging is small.
Who should avoid Danti?
Avoid in pregnancy, in children, in the elderly and frail, in inflammatory bowel disease and in any dehydrated state. Anyone with a bowel obstruction must not take a purgative of any kind.
What is Danti called in Hindi?
Danti or Jamalgota — though Jamalgota more commonly refers to Croton tiglium, a different and considerably more dangerous purgative. Confirm the botanical name, because the two are not interchangeable.
What is the difference between Danti and Aragvadha?
Aragvadha (Cassia fistula) is the mildest classical purgative, safe for children and the elderly. Danti is a strong one used where mild measures have failed. They sit at opposite ends of the same therapeutic category.
Can Danti be used for weight loss?
No. Using a purgative for weight loss causes dehydration and electrolyte loss without addressing fat, and repeated use damages bowel function. Its classical indications are specific and do not include this.
