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Aranya Jeeraka

Centratherum anthelminticum

Aranya Jeeraka is the seed of Centratherum anthelminticum, in the Asteraceae family, also published under the synonym Vernonia anthelmintica. The Sanskrit name means wild cumin, which invites confusion with true cumin, Cuminum cyminum: that is a different plant, in the Apiaceae family.

Key facts
Botanical nameCentratherum anthelminticum
Identity sourceAyurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I, Vol. V: VANYAJIRAKA (Fruit)
Also calledVernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd. (nomenclatural synonym)
Baccharoides anthelmintica (L.) Moench (nomenclatural synonym)
Cuminum cyminum L. (attribution recorded without a cited source)
Carum carvi L. (attribution recorded without a cited source)
Currently accepted nameBaccharoides anthelmintica (L.) Moench, the name above is treated as a synonym by GBIF; both are in use
FamilyAsteraceae · other entries in this family
OrderAsterales
Also known asAranya Jeeraka, AranyaJeeraka
Taxon identifiersGBIF 3087257 · Wikidata Q50840345

The evidence at a glance

12papers on this site for this drug, published 2009 to 2025, 11 with a DOI.

  • 1Other clinical studies and reviews
  • 11Laboratory 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
EnglishAranya Jeeraka

Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

PropertyValueDescription
Rasa (Taste)TiktaPrimary taste
Guna (Quality)Laghu, TikshnaPhysical quality
Virya (Potency)UshnaHeating/Cooling effect
Vipaka (Post-digestive)KatuPost-digestive effect

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (seed powder), Capsule, Tablet, 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

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

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, p-Cymene, Beta-pinene, Gamma-terpinene, Limonene

Synergistic Combinations

  • With Jeeraka (cultivated cumin) for enhanced digestive action
  • With Hingu for carminative synergy
  • With Sunthi and Maricha for Deepana-Pachana (appetizer-digestive) action
  • With Dhanyaka (coriander) for digestive comfort

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. Mahmood R, Ikram R, Rizwani GH and others. 2019. Comparison of neuropharmacological activities of methanolic extracts of Cuminum nigrum (Linn.) and Centratherum anthelminticum (Linn.) in micePakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences. PMID 30772794

Laboratory and animal studies11

  1. Adil M, Deeba F, Tariq M and others. 2025. Therapeutic efficacy of Centratherum anthelminticum in subclinical mastitis: A biochemical and hematological assessment in lactating cattleVeterinary world. PMID 40689177 · doi:10.14202/vetworld.2025.1741-1747
  2. Hameed Husain J, Arumugam D, Nawabjohn MS and others. 2024. Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using centratherum anthelminticum Extract against Breast Cancer CellsAsian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP. PMID 39205569 · doi:10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.8.2711
  3. Kumar S, Mishra A, Singh SP and others. 2024. Anti-filarial efficacy of Centratherum anthelminticum: unravelling the underlying mechanisms through biochemical, HRAMS proteomics and MD simulation approachesRSC advances. PMID 39139251 · doi:10.1039/d4ra03461a
  4. Shoaib M, Saleem A, Zeb A and others. 2023. Chemical Characterization and Ameliorating Effect of Centratherum anthelminticum Extract against Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Wistar RatsInternational journal of endocrinology. PMID 37483646 · doi:10.1155/2023/4978562
  5. Baig N, Sultan R, Qureshi SA. 2022. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Centratherum anthelminticum (L.) Kuntze seed oil in diabetic nephropathy via modulation of Nrf-2/HO-1 and NF-κB pathwayBMC complementary medicine and therapies. PMID 36401276 · doi:10.1186/s12906-022-03776-x
  6. H Gopalkrishna A, M S, Muddaiah S and others. 2016. In vitro antifungal activity of different components of Centratherum anthelminticum and Ocimum sanctum seed oils and their synergism against oral pathogenic fungiJournal of dental research, dental clinics, dental prospects. PMID 27429725 · doi:10.15171/joddd.2016.015
  7. Looi CY, Moharram B, Paydar M and others. 2013. Induction of apoptosis in melanoma A375 cells by a chloroform fraction of Centratherum anthelminticum (L.) seeds involves NF-kappaB, p53 and Bcl-2-controlled mitochondrial signaling pathwaysBMC complementary and alternative medicine. PMID 23837445 · doi:10.1186/1472-6882-13-166
  8. Arya A, Looi CY, Cheah SC and others. 2012. Anti-diabetic effects of Centratherum anthelminticum seeds methanolic fraction on pancreatic cells, β-TC6 and its alleviating role in type 2 diabetic ratsJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 22954496 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2012.08.014
  9. Arya A, Cheah SC, Looi CY and others. 2012. The methanolic fraction of Centratherum anthelminticum seed downregulates pro-inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, and hyperglycemia in STZ-nicotinamide-induced type 2 diabetic ratsFood and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association. PMID 22939938 · doi:10.1016/j.fct.2012.08.012
  10. Ashok P, Koti BC, Thippeswamy AH and others. 2010. Evaluation of Antiinflammatory Activity of Centratherum anthelminticum (L) Kuntze SeedIndian journal of pharmaceutical sciences. PMID 21969740 · doi:10.4103/0250-474X.84577
  11. Purnima A, Koti BC, Tikare VP and others. 2009. Evaluation of Analgesic and Antipyretic Activities of Centratherum anthelminticum (L) Kuntze SeedIndian journal of pharmaceutical sciences. PMID 20502559 · doi:10.4103/0250-474X.57302

Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.

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