Akarakarabha

Anacyclus pyrethrum (L.) Lag.

Akarakarabha (Anacyclus pyrethrum (L.) Lag.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Asteraceae (Compositae) family. Not in WHO monographs; listed in multiple traditional pharmacopeias including Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and Unani Pharmacopoeia; recognized in European herbal tradition.

Key facts
Botanical name	Anacyclus pyrethrum (L.) Lag.
Family	Asteraceae (Compositae) · other entries in this family
Order	Asterales
Pharmacopoeia status	Not in WHO monographs; listed in multiple traditional pharmacopeias including Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and Unani Pharmacopoeia; recognized in European herbal tradition
Taxon identifiers	GBIF 3148578 · Wikidata Q1855185 · NCBI Taxonomy 159698

Names and identification

Language	Name
English	Akarakarabha
Latin/Botanical	Anacyclus pyrethrum (L.) Lag.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

Pellitorine (N-isobutylamide)
Pyrethrin
Anacycline
Sesamin
Inulin (fructans)
Santolina alcohol (40.7% of essential oil)
Pyrrolo[3,2-g]isoquinoline alkaloids (12 newly described, 2024)

How does it work?

Anti-inflammatory activity through inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production in macrophages via novel alkaloid compounds
Aphrodisiac and testosterone-enhancing effect through modulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis
Analgesic and sialagogue action via N-isobutylamide (pellitorine) stimulation of nerve endings
Immunomodulatory activity through modulation of innate and adaptive immune responses

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

Aphrodisiac and male fertility enhancer (Vajikarana) - validated through studies showing increased testosterone and sperm parameters in animal models
Oral health and toothache remedy (Dantavedanashaka) - confirmed analgesic properties of pellitorine on nerve endings
Cognitive enhancer and nervine tonic (Medhya) - supported by neuropharmacological studies showing memory enhancement
Anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic - validated by in vivo anti-inflammatory studies

What do recent clinical trials show?

Chen H, Aisa HA 2025. Alkaloids from Anacyclus pyrethrum. Phytochemistry. PMID 39216630 · doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2024.114255
Twelve undescribed alkaloids including eight pyrrolo[3,2-g]isoquinoline and four pyrrolo[2,3-g]quinoline alkaloids were isolated from roots; some showed significant inhibition of NO production in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells.
Baz AE, Mrabti HN, Ashmawy NS and others 2024. Phytochemical characterization, antimicrobial properties and in silico modeling perspectives of Anacyclus pyrethrum essential oil. Heliyon. PMID 39220961 · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35079
Identified santolina alcohol as the major essential oil component (40.7%), followed by germacrene-D (8.9%); in silico molecular docking showed strong binding to bacterial target proteins.

1 further claim previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and has been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

Generally recognized as safe at recommended doses; high doses may cause excessive salivation, oral mucosal irritation, and gastrointestinal discomfort due to pellitorine content
Not recommended during pregnancy and lactation due to potential uterine stimulant effects; limited toxicological data for long-term use

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

Pellitorine
Sesamin
Inulin
Alkaloids
Pyrethrin
Anacycline
Santolina alcohol
Pyrrolo

Analytical Methods: HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Tablet, Capsule, Taila (medicated oil — external), Gutika (pills), Manjan (tooth powder)

Standard Dosage: 500mg-2g powder twice daily; 250-500mg extract capsule; external oil as needed for local application

Bioavailability: Good oral bioavailability due to alkylamide content (particularly pellitorine and anacyclin), which are lipophilic and rapidly absorbed across oral and GI mucosa. The characteristic tingling/sialagogue effect on the tongue indicates rapid transmucosal absorption. Alkylamides show 60-70% bioavailability. Co-administration with lipids or milk enhances systemic absorption.

Optimal Timing: Before meals with warm milk or honey for systemic indications; as tooth powder or local application for dental/oral conditions

Standardized Extract: Root extract (10:1) standardized to minimum 4% total alkylamides (as pellitorine equivalent). Anacyclin content minimum 1%.

Shelf Life: 2 years (powder); 3 years (tablets/capsules); 2 years (medicated oil)

Storage: Airtight, moisture-proof containers. Store below 25°C. Protect from light. Roots store better whole — powder just before use.

Marker Compounds: Pellitorine, Anacyclin, N-isobutyldienediynamide, Hydrocarolin, Inulin

Extraction Methods

Hydroalcoholic extraction (70:30 ethanol-water) for alkylamide enrichment
n-Hexane extraction for lipophilic alkylamides
Ethyl acetate fractionation for pellitorine isolation
Aqueous decoction (limited — misses lipophilic actives)

Synergistic Combinations

With Ashwagandha for nervous system toning and Vajikarana (aphrodisiac)
With Jatiphala (nutmeg) for stammering and speech disorders
With Lavanga (clove) and Karpura (camphor) for toothache
With Pippali for bioenhancement and respiratory conditions

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Other clinical studies and reviews3

Elazzouzi H, Fadili K, Cherrat A and others. 2022. Phytochemistry, Biological and Pharmacological Activities of the Anacyclus pyrethrum (L.) Lag: A Systematic ReviewPlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36235444 · doi:10.3390/plants11192578
Khan AU, Akram M, Daniyal M and others. 2020. Awareness and current knowledge of epilepsyMetabolic brain disease. PMID 31605258 · doi:10.1007/s11011-019-00494-1
Abarikwu SO, Onuah CL, Singh SK. 2020. Plants in the management of male infertilityAndrologia. PMID 31989693 · doi:10.1111/and.13509

Laboratory and animal studies9

Chen H, Aisa HA. 2025. Alkaloids from Anacyclus pyrethrumPhytochemistry. PMID 39216630 · doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2024.114255
Tuersong T, Wu QF, Chen Y and others. 2025. Integrated network pharmacology, metabolomics, and microbiome studies to reveal the therapeutic effects of Anacyclus pyrethrum in PD-MCI micePhytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. PMID 40253741 · doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2025.156729
Baz AE, Mrabti HN, Ashmawy NS and others. 2024. Phytochemical characterization, antimicrobial properties and in silico modeling perspectives of Anacyclus pyrethrum essential oilHeliyon. PMID 39220961 · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35079
Chen H, Aisa HA. 2024. Alkaloid constituents from Anacyclus pyrethrumPhytochemistry. PMID 38692343 · doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2024.114116
Mahmoud AA, Shaaban MAM, Basal WT. 2024. Anacyclus pyrethrum enhances fertility in cadmium-intoxicated male rats by improving sperm functionsBMC complementary medicine and therapies. PMID 39604977 · doi:10.1186/s12906-024-04711-y
Qureshi MS, Jamil QA, Akhtar N and others. 2022. Formulation and characterization of Anacyclus Pyrethrum Emulgels and its in vitro and in vivo evaluation as cosmeceutical productJournal of cosmetic dermatology. PMID 36136047 · doi:10.1111/jocd.15404
Jawhari FZ, El Moussaoui A, Bourhia M and others. 2020. Anacyclus pyrethrum (L): Chemical Composition, Analgesic, Anti-Inflammatory, and Wound Healing PropertiesMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 33238392 · doi:10.3390/molecules25225469
Yousaf F, Shahid M, Riaz M and others. 2017. Immunomodulatory potential of Anacyclus pyrethrum (L.) and Mucuna pruriens (L.) In male albino ratsJournal of biological regulators and homeostatic agents. PMID 28685548
Mohammadi A, Mansoori B, Baradaran PC and others. 2017. Anacyclus Pyrethrum Extract Exerts Anticancer Activities on the Human Colorectal Cancer Cell Line (HCT) by Targeting Apoptosis, Metastasis and Cell Cycle ArrestJournal of gastrointestinal cancer. PMID 27796737 · doi:10.1007/s12029-016-9884-7

Cite this page. Age Ayurveda. “Akarakarabha.” Age Ayurveda Nighantu. Last reviewed 18 September 2026. https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/akarakarabha/
Machine-readable source: Markdown. Reviewed 2026-09-18.

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