Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Amra Haridra

Curcuma amada

Amra Haridra (Curcuma amada) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Curcuma amada (mango ginger) contains curcuminoids similar to turmeric but in lower concentrations, plus unique difurocumenonol. Curcuminoid bioavailability is inherently low (<5%) but enhanced by piperine (20-fold increase) or lipid formulations.

Key facts
Botanical nameCurcuma amada
FamilyZingiberaceae · other entries in this family
OrderZingiberales
Also known asAmra Haridra, AmraHaridra
Taxon identifiersGBIF 2757535 · Wikidata Q3031235 · NCBI Taxonomy 105371

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishAmra Haridra

Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

PropertyValueDescription
Rasa (Taste)TiktaPrimary taste
Guna (Quality)LaghuPhysical quality
Virya (Potency)SheetaHeating/Cooling effect
Vipaka (Post-digestive)MadhuraPost-digestive effect

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Capsule, Tablet, Kashayam (decoction), Lepa (paste for topical use)

Standard Dosage: 2-4g powder twice daily; 500mg extract capsule twice daily; topical paste as needed

Bioavailability: Moderate oral bioavailability. Curcuma amada (mango ginger) contains curcuminoids similar to turmeric but in lower concentrations, plus unique difurocumenonol. Curcuminoid bioavailability is inherently low (<5%) but enhanced by piperine (20-fold increase) or lipid formulations. The volatile oil content aids absorption. Phospholipid complexation (phytosome) technology can increase bioavailability 5-10x.

Optimal Timing: With meals containing fat/oil for enhanced curcuminoid absorption; with warm milk at bedtime for anti-inflammatory and immune benefits

Standardized Extract: Rhizome extract standardized to minimum 1% total curcuminoids (as curcumin). Essential oil standardized to minimum 30% myrcene. Oleoresin with minimum 3% curcuminoids.

Shelf Life: 2 years (powder); 3 years (capsules/tablets); 3 years (essential oil); 18 months (oleoresin)

Storage: Cool, dry place below 25°C, protected from light (curcuminoids are photosensitive). Airtight containers. Essential oil in amber glass.

Marker Compounds: Curcumin, Demethoxycurcumin, Bisdemethoxycurcumin, Difurocumenonol, Myrcene, Beta-pinene, Ocimene, Curdione

Extraction Methods

  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (80:20 ethanol-water) for curcuminoids
  • Steam distillation for essential oil (yield 1-3%)
  • Supercritical CO2 for curcuminoid and oil co-extraction
  • Aqueous decoction for traditional preparation
  • Hexane extraction for oleoresin

Synergistic Combinations

  • With Maricha (black pepper) for piperine-enhanced curcuminoid absorption
  • With Haridra (common turmeric) for enhanced anti-inflammatory action
  • With Sunthi for digestive and anti-inflammatory synergy
  • With Guduchi for immune modulation

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 reviews1

  1. Jatoi SA, Kikuchi A, Gilani SA and others. 2007. Phytochemical, pharmacological and ethnobotanical studies in mango ginger (Curcuma amada Roxb.; Zingiberaceae)Phytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 17397131 · doi:10.1002/ptr.2137

Laboratory and animal studies11

  1. Maria JJ, Karuppiah K, Shariff M and others. 2023. Antimicrobial activity of Curcuma amada extract on Streptococcus mutans-An in vitro studyJournal of oral and maxillofacial pathology : JOMFP. PMID 37854916 · doi:10.4103/jomfp.jomfp_551_22
  2. Chandran A, Jayasankar V, Spagnuolo P and others. 2022. Bioactive Compounds from Curcuma amada and Their Effect on Acute Myeloid LeukemiaCritical reviews in oncogenesis. PMID 37183936 · doi:10.1615/CritRevOncog.2023047542
  3. Sarkar R, Mitra D, Ghosh P and others. 2022. Antiapoptotic and antioxidative efficacy of rhizomes of Curcuma amada on the management of diabetes-induced male infertility in albino rat: An effective fraction selection studyJournal of food biochemistry. PMID 35796441 · doi:10.1111/jfbc.14290
  4. Nissankara Rao LS, Kilari EK, Kola PK. 2021. Protective effect of Curcuma amada acetone extract against high-fat and high-sugar diet-induced obesity and memory impairmentNutritional neuroscience. PMID 31149894 · doi:10.1080/1028415X.2019.1616436
  5. Narayanankutty A, Sasidharan A, Job JT and others. 2021. Mango ginger (Curcuma amada Roxb.) rhizome essential oils as source of environmental friendly biocides: Comparison of the chemical composition, antibacterial, insecticidal and larvicidal properties of essential oils extracted by different methodsEnvironmental research. PMID 34297936 · doi:10.1016/j.envres.2021.111718
  6. Win NN, Ito T, Ngwe H and others. 2017. Labdane diterpenoids from Curcuma amada rhizomes collected in Myanmar and their antiproliferative activitiesFitoterapia. PMID 28827004 · doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2017.08.006
  7. Faiz Hossain C, Al-Amin M, Rahman KM and others. 2015. Analgesic principle from Curcuma amadaJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 25636664 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2015.01.018
  8. Crassina K, Sudha ML. 2015. Evaluation of rheological, bioactives and baking characteristics of mango ginger (curcuma amada) enriched soup sticksJournal of food science and technology. PMID 26345009 · doi:10.1007/s13197-014-1548-7
  9. Kullu J, Dutta A, Constales D and others. 2014. Experimental and modeling studies on microwave-assisted extraction of mangiferin from Curcuma amada3 Biotech. PMID 28324442 · doi:10.1007/s13205-013-0125-5
  10. Policegoudra RS, Aradhya SM, Singh L. 2011. Mango ginger (Curcuma amada Roxb.)--a promising spice for phytochemicals and biological activitiesJournal of biosciences. PMID 21857121 · doi:10.1007/s12038-011-9106-1
  11. Prasath D, El-Sharkawy I, Sherif S and others. 2011. Cloning and characterization of PR5 gene from Curcuma amada and Zingiber officinale in response to Ralstonia solanacearum infectionPlant cell reports. PMID 21594675 · doi:10.1007/s00299-011-1087-x

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