Ajmoda
Apium leptophyllum
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%.
| Botanical name | Apium leptophyllum |
|---|---|
| Identity source | Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I, Vol. I: AJAMODA (Fruit) |
| Also called | Trachyspermum roxburghianum (DC) Sprague, Syn. Carum roxburghianum Benth. Hook.f. (attribution recorded without a cited source) Apium graveolens L. (regional usage) |
| Currently accepted name | Cyclospermum leptophyllum (Pers.) Sprague — the name above is treated as a synonym by GBIF; both are in use |
| Family | Apiaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Apiales |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 5371895 · Wikidata Q17142977 · NCBI Taxonomy 2860399 |
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 (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 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%.
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.
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, Carvacrol, 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 (asafoetida) for Vatanulomana (carminative action)
- With Sunthi and Maricha for digestive stimulation
- With Ajwain for colic and flatulence
- With Saindhava lavana for appetite stimulation
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