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 used in Ayurveda, 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 name	Garcinia pedunculata Roxb. ex Buch.-Ham. (primary); Rheum emodi Wall. ex Meissn. (substitute)
Family	Clusiaceae (Garcinia) / Polygonaceae (Rheum)
Order	Malpighiales
Pharmacopoeia status	Not in WHO monographs as Amlavetasa; Rheum species have WHO/European Pharmacopoeia monographs as rhubarb (Rhei Radix); Garcinia pedunculata recognized in regional Indian pharmacopeias
Taxon identifiers	GBIF 3713251 · Wikidata Q10935878 · NCBI Taxonomy 1220708

Names and identification

Language	Name
English	Amlavetasa
Latin/Botanical	Garcinia pedunculata Roxb. ex Buch.-Ham. (primary); Rheum emodi Wall. ex Meissn. (substitute)

Key Phytochemical Constituents

Garcinol (polyisoprenylated benzophenone)
Hydroxycitric acid (HCA)
Xanthones (mangostin derivatives)
Garpedunchromones A-C (new chromones, 2024)
Nujiangbiflavone A (new biflavonoid)
Anthraquinones (emodin, chrysophanol - in Rheum emodi)

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?

Digestive stimulant and carminative (Deepana-Pachana) - validated through studies showing enhanced digestive enzyme activity
Anti-obesity and lipid management (Medohara) - HCA-mediated lipogenesis inhibition confirmed in clinical studies on related Garcinia species
Hepatoprotective (Yakrit-shodhana) - validated through preclinical studies demonstrating liver protection from chemical toxins
Laxative (Bhedana) - confirmed for Rheum emodi through anthraquinone-mediated mechanisms

What do recent clinical trials show?

Fan X, Guo J, Feng D and others 2024. Chromones and biflavonoids from Garcinia pedunculata and Garcinia nujiangensis and their anti-inflammatory activity. Phytochemistry. PMID 38810815 · doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2024.114166
Isolated four new compounds (garpedunchromones A-C and nujiangbiflavone A) along with 15 known analogs; demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity of isolated compounds.
Yang X, Dai L, Yan F and others 2024. The phytochemistry and pharmacology of three Rheum species: A comprehensive review with future perspectives. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. PMID 38852474 · doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155772
Comprehensive review on Rheum emodi documenting new compound isolation from both aerial parts and roots/rhizomes; highlighted anthraquinones and stilbenes as key bioactive classes.

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

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

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

Dosage forms and preparation

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

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

Bioavailability: Good oral bioavailability. Garcinia pedunculata (or Rheum emodi in some traditions — identity debated). Hydroxycitric acid (HCA, if Garcinia) is water-soluble with good absorption (60-70% oral bioavailability). Anthraquinones (if Rheum) are absorbed and undergo extensive hepatic metabolism. Traditional use with Saindhava lavana enhances absorption.

Optimal Timing: Before meals with warm water for hyperacidity; after meals for digestive support

Standardized Extract: If Garcinia pedunculata: standardized to minimum 30% hydroxycitric acid (HCA). If Rheum emodi: standardized to minimum 2% total anthraquinones. Specify botanical source on label.

Shelf Life: 2 years (powder); 3 years (capsules/tablets); 18 months (decoction concentrate)

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

Extraction Methods

Aqueous extraction (hot water) for HCA-rich fraction
Hydroalcoholic extraction (60:40)
Standardized HCA extraction (if Garcinia species)
Ethanol extraction for anthraquinone enrichment (if Rheum species)

Synergistic Combinations

Part of Avipattikar Churna for acid dyspepsia
With Ela (cardamom) for digestive comfort
With Draksha (raisins) for mild laxative action
With Sunthi for Amla Pitta (hyperacidity)

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

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
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 studies8

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
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
Zou D, Liu F, Liu L and others. 2024. Cytotoxic xanthones from Garcinia pedunculata fruitsPhytochemistry. PMID 37875167 · doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2023.113898
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
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
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
Hossain MA, Dey P, Joy RI. 2021. Effect of osmotic pretreatment and drying temperature on drying kinetics, antioxidant activity, and overall quality of taikor (Garcinia pedunculata Roxb.) slicesSaudi journal of biological sciences. PMID 34867031 · doi:10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.08.038
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

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

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