# Aranya Jeeraka

> Aranya Jeeraka (Centratherum anthelminticum) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Wild cumin Aranya Jeeraka, potentially Cuminum cyminum var. or Vernonia anthelmintica depending on tradition) — volatile oil constituents are well absorbed. Cuminaldehyde (if Cuminum) shows rapid GI absorption.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Centratherum anthelminticum

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Aranya [Jeeraka](/herb/jeeraka/)|Aranya Jeeraka |

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

| Property | Value | Description |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| **Rasa** (Taste) | Tikta | Primary taste |
| **Guna** (Quality) | Laghu, Tikshna | Physical quality |
| **Virya** (Potency) | Ushna | Heating/Cooling effect |
| **Vipaka** (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (seed powder), Capsule, Tablet, [Arka](/herb/arka/) (distillate), Essential oil (for external use)

**Standard Dosage:** 1-3g seed powder twice daily; 500mg extract capsule; 2-5 drops essential oil diluted for external use

**Bioavailability:** Moderate oral bioavailability. Wild [cumin](/herb/cumin/) (Aranya [Jeeraka](/herb/jeeraka/)|Aranya Jeeraka, potentially Cuminum cyminum var. or Vernonia anthelmintica depending on tradition) — volatile oil constituents are well absorbed. [Cuminaldehyde](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#cuminaldehyde) (if Cuminum) shows rapid GI absorption. Terpene compounds cross biological membranes effectively due to lipophilicity.

**Optimal Timing:** After meals with warm water for digestive support; before meals for appetite stimulation

**Standardized Extract:** Seed extract standardized to minimum 2% volatile oil. If Cuminum: cuminaldehyde content minimum 25% in essential oil. TLC fingerprint for batch-to-batch quality.

**Shelf Life:** 2 years (whole seeds); 1 year (powder due to volatile loss); 3 years (capsules in sealed packaging); 3 years (essential oil)

**Storage:** Seeds stored whole in airtight containers at room temperature. Essential oil in amber glass bottles. Powder in nitrogen-flushed packaging.

**Marker Compounds:** Cuminaldehyde, [Cuminol](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#cuminol), p-Cymene, Beta-pinene, Gamma-terpinene, [Limonene](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#limonene)

### Extraction Methods

- Steam distillation for essential oil (yield 2-4%)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (70:30) for non-volatile constituents
- Supercritical CO2 for terpenoid enrichment
- Aqueous decoction for traditional preparation

### Synergistic Combinations

- With [Jeeraka](/herb/jeeraka/) (cultivated [cumin](/herb/cumin/)) for enhanced digestive action
- With [Hingu](/herb/hingu/) for carminative synergy
- With Sunthi and Maricha for Deepana-Pachana (appetizer-digestive) action
- With [Dhanyaka](/herb/dhanyaka/) ([coriander](/herb/coriander/)) for digestive comfort

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/aranya-jeeraka/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.