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Amlavetasa

Garcinia pedunculata Roxb. ex Buch.-Ham. (primary); Rheum emodi Wall. ex Meissn. (substitute)

Amlavetasa (Garcinia pedunculata Roxb. ex Buch.-Ham. (primary); Rheum emodi Wall. ex Meissn. (substitute)) is a plant drug, from the Clusiaceae (Garcinia) / Polygonaceae (Rheum) family. Not in WHO monographs as Amlavetasa; Rheum species have WHO/European Pharmacopoeia monographs as rhubarb (Rhei Radix); Garcinia pedunculata recognized in regional Indian pharmacopeias.

Key facts
Botanical nameGarcinia pedunculata Roxb. ex Buch.-Ham. (primary); Rheum emodi Wall. ex Meissn. (substitute)
FamilyClusiaceae (Garcinia) / Polygonaceae (Rheum)
OrderMalpighiales
Pharmacopoeia statusNot in WHO monographs as Amlavetasa; Rheum species have WHO/European Pharmacopoeia monographs as rhubarb (Rhei Radix); Garcinia pedunculata recognized in regional Indian pharmacopeias
Taxon identifiersGBIF 3713251 · Wikidata Q10935878 · NCBI Taxonomy 1220708

The evidence at a glance

12papers on this site for this drug, published 2020 to 2025, every one with a DOI.

  • 2Other clinical studies and reviews
  • 10Laboratory and animal studies

A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Everything listed here is laboratory or animal work, which does not show an effect in people. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishAmlavetasa
Latin/BotanicalGarcinia pedunculata Roxb. ex Buch.-Ham. (primary); Rheum emodi Wall. ex Meissn. (substitute)

Key Phytochemical Constituents

How does it work?

  • Anti-inflammatory activity through garcinol-mediated inhibition of NF-kB, COX-2, and 5-LOX pathways
  • Anti-obesity effect via hydroxycitric acid (HCA)-mediated inhibition of ATP-citrate lyase, blocking de novo fatty acid synthesis
  • Hepatoprotective mechanism through antioxidant enzyme restoration and anti-inflammatory action of xanthones and chromones
  • Laxative effect (Rheum emodi) through anthraquinone-stimulated intestinal peristalsis

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.

  • Deepana-Pachana (digestive stimulant and carminative): traditionally used to stimulate digestion and as a carminative. Studies have reported increased digestive enzyme activity.
  • Medohara (anti-obesity): traditionally used to reduce excess fat. Clinical studies on related Garcinia species have reported that HCA inhibits lipogenesis.
  • Yakrit-shodhana (liver): traditionally used for the liver. Preclinical studies have reported protection of the liver from chemical toxins.
  • Bhedana (laxative): traditionally used as a laxative. Research on Rheum emodi has reported laxative action linked to anthraquinones.

What do recent studies show?

Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • Garcinia pedunculata fruit is generally safe for consumption; sour taste requires moderation in Pitta conditions; garcinol may interact with anti-inflammatory drugs
  • Rheum emodi (substitute) contains anthraquinones which may cause diarrhea and electrolyte imbalance with prolonged use; not recommended during pregnancy or for patients with intestinal obstruction

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

  • Garcinol
  • Xanthones
  • Anthraquinones
  • Emodin
  • Chrysophanol
  • Hydroxycitric acid
  • Garpedunchromones A-C
  • Nujiangbiflavone A

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Capsule, Tablet, Kashayam (decoction), Compound formulations

Standard Dosage: 1-3g powder twice daily; 500mg extract capsule; as component in compound formulations per classical proportion

Optimal Timing: After meals for digestive support

Storage: Cool, dry place below 25°C. Highly hygroscopic, use moisture-barrier packaging with desiccant. Protect from light.

Marker Compounds: Hydroxycitric acid (Garcinia), Emodin (Rheum), Chrysophanol (Rheum), Citric acid, Malic acid, Tartaric acid

Synergistic Combinations

  • With Ela (cardamom) for digestive comfort
  • With Draksha (raisins) for mild laxative action

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 reviews2

  1. Yang X, Dai L, Yan F and others. 2024. The phytochemistry and pharmacology of three Rheum species: A comprehensive review with future perspectivesPhytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. PMID 38852474 · doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155772
  2. Bhattacharjee S, Devi R. 2021. A Comprehensive Review of Garcinia pedunculata Roxb. and its Therapeutic PotentialMini reviews in medicinal chemistry. PMID 33596803 · doi:10.2174/1389557521666210217094152

Laboratory and animal studies10

  1. Fan X, Jia Y, Guo J and others. 2025. Xanthones from Garcinia pedunculata and Garcinia nujiangensis and their anti-inflammatory activityChinese journal of natural medicines. PMID 39986698 · doi:10.1016/S1875-5364(25)60826-0
  2. Borah T, Sarmah P, Konwar P and others. 2025. Physico-chemical, nutritional, and anti-inflammatory properties of processed Garcinia pedunculata fruit: A combined in vitro and in silico approachFood research international (Ottawa, Ont.). PMID 39849736 · doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2024.115580
  3. Fan X, Guo J, Feng D and others. 2024. Chromones and biflavonoids from Garcinia pedunculata and Garcinia nujiangensis and their anti-inflammatory activityPhytochemistry. PMID 38810815 · doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2024.114166
  4. Zou D, Liu F, Liu L and others. 2024. Cytotoxic xanthones from Garcinia pedunculata fruitsPhytochemistry. PMID 37875167 · doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2023.113898
  5. Zou D, Liu L, Liu F and others. 2024. α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Components from Garcinia pedunculata FruitsChemistry & biodiversity. PMID 38459792 · doi:10.1002/cbdv.202400409
  6. Dutta P, Dutta PP, Kalita P. 2024. Thermal performance study of a PV-driven innovative solar dryer with and without sensible heat storage for drying of Garcinia PedunculataEnvironmental science and pollution research international. PMID 37186184 · doi:10.1007/s11356-023-27041-x
  7. Gogoi S, Das P, Nayak PK and others. 2024. Optimizing Quality and Shelf-Life Extension of Bor-Thekera (Garcinia pedunculata) Juice: A Thermosonication Approach with Artificial Neural Network ModelingFoods (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 38338632 · doi:10.3390/foods13030497
  8. Dutta K, Verma AK, Gogoi M and others. 2024. Anti-inflammatory activity of the phenol rich fraction of Garcinia pedunculata Roxb (ex. Buch Ham): an in vitro and in vivo studyInflammopharmacology. PMID 38695971 · doi:10.1007/s10787-024-01484-1
  9. Hossain MA, Talukder S, Uz Zaman A and others. 2024. Effective drying processes for Taikor (Garcinia pedunculata Roxb.) fruit by ultrasound-assisted osmotic pretreatment: Analysis of quality and kinetic modelsUltrasonics sonochemistry. PMID 38295744 · doi:10.1016/j.ultsonch.2024.106784
  10. Bhuyan B, Deka T, Rajak P. 2020. Assessment of Garcinia pedunculata Roxb. Role on Biological Markers in Carbon Tetra Chloride Induced Rat ModelIndian journal of clinical biochemistry : IJCB. PMID 32647411 · doi:10.1007/s12291-019-00825-0

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.

Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.