# Ajmoda

> Ajmoda (Apium leptophyllum) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Apiol and myristicin are well absorbed from the GI tract. Essential oil components enhance their own absorption and that of co-administered herbs. Piperine co-administration may further increase plasma levels of key constituents by 25-30%.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Apium leptophyllum

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Ajmoda |

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

| Property | Value | Description |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| **Rasa** (Taste) | Katu, Tikta | Primary taste |
| **Guna** (Quality) | Laghu, Ruksha | Physical quality |
| **Virya** (Potency) | Ushna | Heating/Cooling effect |
| **Vipaka** (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (powder), Capsule, Tablet, [Arka](/herb/arka/) (distillate), Taila (essential oil), Kwatha (decoction)

**Standard Dosage:** 1-3g powder twice daily; 500mg-1g extract capsule; 2-5 drops essential oil (diluted, for external use)

**Bioavailability:** Good oral bioavailability due to volatile oil content. Apiol and [myristicin](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#myristicin) are well absorbed from the GI tract. Essential oil components enhance their own absorption and that of co-administered herbs. [Piperine](/reference/piperine/) co-administration may further increase plasma levels of key constituents by 25-30%.

**Optimal Timing:** After meals with warm water for digestive complaints; before meals for appetite stimulation

**Standardized Extract:** Essential oil standardized to minimum 60% apiol. Seed extract standardized to minimum 3% volatile oil content and 1.5% total [coumarins](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#coumarins).

**Shelf Life:** 2 years (whole seeds); 1 year (powder, due to volatile loss); 3 years (capsules with sealed packaging); 3 years (essential oil in amber glass)

**Storage:** Airtight containers, cool and dry place, protected from light. Essential oil in amber glass bottles at 15-25°C. Seeds best stored whole until processing.

**Marker Compounds:** Apiol, Myristicin, [Thymol](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#thymol), [Carvacrol](/glossary/compounds-a-c/#carvacrol), [Limonene](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#limonene), Beta-pinene

### Extraction Methods

- Steam distillation for essential oil (yield 2-4%)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (70:30)
- Supercritical CO2 extraction for essential oil enrichment
- Aqueous decoction for traditional preparations

### Synergistic Combinations

- With [Hingu](/herb/hingu/) (asafoetida) for Vatanulomana (carminative action)
- With Sunthi and Maricha for digestive stimulation
- With [Ajwain](/herb/ajwain/) for colic and flatulence
- With [Saindhava lavana](/herb/saindhava-lavana/) for appetite stimulation

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

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- 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.