Shephalika (Nyctanthes arbortristis) is an under shrub or shrub grown in forests and uplands. Nyctanthes means 'night flowering' and arbortristis means 'the sad tree'.
It blooms at night and loses its brightness during daytime. It produces fragrant white flowers.
Shephalika is useful in the treatment of several diseases both in the Ayurvedic and in the Homoeopathic systems of medicine. It cures cancer, fever and rheumatism. Other names are Parijatham, Harsinghar, Seoli and Coral.
