Gulakanda
Gulakanda is a classical Ayurvedic avaleha, a semi-solid herbal confection. Gallic acid and geraniol are well-absorbed orally. Rose phenolics have moderate-to-good oral bioavailability. Slow maceration process extracts water-soluble antioxidants effectively.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Gulakanda |
Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)
| Property | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | Madhura | Primary taste |
| Guna (Quality) | Guru, Snigdha | Physical quality |
| Virya (Potency) | Sheeta | Heating/Cooling effect |
| Vipaka (Post-digestive) | Madhura | Post-digestive effect |
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
No published research is cited on this page. Classical formulations are researched largely in journals that PubMed does not index, so an absence here reflects the reach of the index rather than the state of the evidence.
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Lehya/Gulkand (rose petal confection), Capsules (modern), Spread (modern)
Standard Dosage: 10-20 g (1-2 teaspoons) once or twice daily, as per Unani/Ayurvedic classical texts
Optimal Timing: After meals as a digestive, or at bedtime for its cooling (Sheeta Virya) properties. Traditionally used in Pitta conditions and in the summer season.
Storage: Store in airtight glass jars in a cool, dry place. Sun-set preparation should be sealed after maturation. Temperature not exceeding 25°C. Refrigeration extends shelf life.
Marker Compounds: Geraniol, Citronellol, Gallic acid, Quercetin, Kaempferol, Cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside
Vehicle (Anupana): Can be taken with warm milk or cold water. Often mixed into paan (betel leaf).
Synergistic Combinations
- Praval Pishti
- Muktashukti Bhasma
- Avipattikar Churna
- Shatavari Churna
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.
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