# Agastya

> Agastya (Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Pers.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Fabaceae family. Recognized in regional WHO traditional medicine directories; documented in WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy as a widely used medicinal food plant in Southeast Asian countries.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Pers.
- **Family:** Fabaceae
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Recognized in regional WHO traditional medicine directories; documented in WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy as a widely used medicinal food plant in Southeast Asian countries

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Agastya |
| Latin/Botanical | *Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Pers.* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- Isovestitol
- Medicarpin
- Sativan
- Betulinic acid
- [Kaempferol](/reference/kaempferol/)
- [Quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/)
- Vomifoliol
- Loliolide

## How does it work?

- [Antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/): Phenolic compounds and [flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/) (kaempferol, [quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/)) scavenge ROS and inhibit lipid peroxidation
- [Anticancer](/reference/anticancer/): Flavonoids and [alkaloids](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#alkaloids) activate caspase cascades and induce apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway
- Anti-fibrotic: Leaf extracts modulate TGF-beta signaling and reduce collagen deposition in fibrotic tissue

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Anti-inflammatory use validated through inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators and reduction of edema in animal models
- [Hepatoprotective](/reference/hepatoprotective/) traditional use confirmed by reduction of liver [enzymes](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#enzymes) (ALT, AST) in hepatotoxicity models
- Alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity of leaf flavonoids supports traditional [antidiabetic](/reference/antidiabetic/) use

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Arthanari S, Periyasamy P 2020. [Phenolic composition, antioxidant and anti-fibrotic effects of Sesbania grandiflora L. (Agastya) - An edible medicinal plant](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35813364/). *Ayu*. PMID [35813364](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35813364/) · [doi:10.4103/ayu.AYU_198_19](https://doi.org/10.4103/ayu.AYU_198_19)  
  Aqueous ethanol extract of leaves demonstrated significant antioxidant and anti-fibrotic capacity, with leaves showing greater activity than flowers.
- Mokhtar FA, Ahmed M, Al Dhanhani AS and others 2025. [Distribution, Phytochemical Insights, and Cytotoxic Potential of the Sesbania Genus: A Comprehensive Review of Sesbania grandiflora, Sesbania sesban, and Sesbania cannabina](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39861127/). *Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)*. PMID [39861127](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39861127/) · [doi:10.3390/ph18010064](https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18010064)  
  Comprehensive review revealing activation of caspase cascades and induction of apoptosis in cancer cells, attributed to flavonoids and alkaloids.
- Hasan N, Osman H, Mohamad S and others 2012. [The Chemical Components of Sesbania grandiflora Root and Their Antituberculosis Activity](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24280680/). *Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)*. PMID [24280680](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24280680/) · [doi:10.3390/ph5080882](https://doi.org/10.3390/ph5080882)  
  Isoflavanoids (isovestitol, medicarpin, sativan) and betulinic acid exhibited antituberculosis activity against M. tuberculosis H37Rv with MIC values of 50-100 mcg/mL.

## Recent safety updates

- Widely consumed as a food vegetable in Southeast Asia; flowers and leaves are edible with a long history of safe dietary use
- No significant adverse effects reported in animal toxicity studies; however, pregnant women should consult practitioners before medicinal use due to limited safety data

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (powder), Kashayam (decoction), Pushpa swarasa (flower juice), Capsule, Lehyam (confection)

**Standard Dosage:** 3-6g powder twice daily; 50-100ml decoction; 10-20ml flower juice

**Bioavailability:** Good oral bioavailability for water-soluble constituents (flavonoids, amino acids). Lipophilic compounds benefit from co-administration with ghee or warm milk. The high protein and free amino acid content enhances overall nutrient absorption.

**Optimal Timing:** Before meals with warm water or honey for respiratory conditions; with food for nutritional supplementation

**Standardized Extract:** Standardized to minimum 1.5% total flavonoids. Flower extract standardized to oleanolic acid content (min 0.5%).

**Shelf Life:** 18 months (powder); 2 years (capsules/tablets); 3 months (fresh juice, refrigerated)

**Storage:** Store in airtight containers away from light. Powder and capsules below 25°C, RH < 60%. Fresh preparations require refrigeration (2-8°C).

**Marker Compounds:** Oleanolic acid, Kaempferol, [Quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/), Cyanidin [glycosides](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#glycosides) (red variety), Sesbanimide

### Extraction Methods

- Aqueous decoction (traditional Kashaya method)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (60:40)
- Cold-pressed juice from fresh flowers
- Soxhlet extraction with ethanol for alkaloid enrichment

### Synergistic Combinations

- With [Vasa](/herb/vasa/) (Adhatoda) for respiratory conditions
- With [Haridra](/herb/haridra/) for anti-inflammatory synergy
- With [Yashtimadhu](/herb/yashtimadhu/) for bronchial support

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/agastya/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.