# Badara

> Badara (Ziziphus mauritiana) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Ziziphus mauritiana (Indian jujube/Ber) fruit contains vitamin C (well absorbed), flavonoids (moderate absorption), and cyclopeptide alkaloids (variable absorption). Betulinic acid has limited oral bioavailability (~5%) but is enhanced by lipid co-administration.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Ziziphus mauritiana

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Badara |

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

| Property | Value | Description |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| **Rasa** (Taste) | Madhura, Amla | Primary taste |
| **Guna** (Quality) | Guru, Snigdha | Physical quality |
| **Virya** (Potency) | Sheeta | Heating/Cooling effect |
| **Vipaka** (Post-digestive) | Madhura | Post-digestive effect |

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (fruit/seed powder), Swarasa (fresh fruit juice), Avaleha (fruit confection), Capsule, Tablet, Phalasava (fruit wine/fermented), Majja (fruit pulp preparation)

**Standard Dosage:** 3-6g fruit powder twice daily; 20-50ml fresh juice; 5-10g Avaleha daily; 500mg-1g extract capsule

**Bioavailability:** Good oral bioavailability for water-soluble constituents. Ziziphus mauritiana (Indian jujube/Ber) fruit contains vitamin C (well absorbed), [flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/) (moderate absorption), and cyclopeptide [alkaloids](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#alkaloids) (variable absorption). Betulinic acid has limited oral bioavailability (~5%) but is enhanced by lipid co-administration. [Polysaccharides](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#polysaccharides) (jujuban A, B) act as immunomodulators via Peyer's patches. Fruit [pectin](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#pectin) aids sustained delivery of co-administered compounds.

**Optimal Timing:** Fruit/juice as snack or with meals for nutritional support. Seed kernel powder at bedtime with warm milk for sleep. Avaleha anytime for general health.

**Standardized Extract:** Fruit extract (10:1) standardized to minimum 2% total flavonoids (as [rutin](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#rutin) equivalent) and minimum 1% betulinic acid. Seed extract standardized to minimum 3% jujubosides (for sedative/[anxiolytic](/reference/anxiolytic/) indication). Vitamin C content minimum 200mg/100g in fresh fruit preparation.

**Shelf Life:** 2 days (fresh fruit); 2 years (dried fruit powder); 3 years (capsules/tablets); 1 year (preserved juice); 5 years (Phalasava)

**Storage:** Fresh fruit refrigerated (2-8°C). Dried fruit and powder in airtight containers, cool and dry. Phalasava in amber glass at room temperature.

**Marker Compounds:** Betulinic acid, Oleanolic acid, Ursolic acid, Jujuboside A, Jujuboside B, Rutin, [Quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/), Ziziphin, Vitamin C, Ceanothic acid

### Extraction Methods

- Fresh juice extraction (cold press)
- Aqueous decoction of dried fruit
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (70:30) for flavonoid enrichment
- Methanol extraction for alkaloid profiling
- Spray-drying of juice for instant powder
- Fermentation for Phalasava

### Synergistic Combinations

- With [Ashwagandha](/herb/ashwagandha/) for anxiolytic and sleep-promoting synergy
- With [Brahmi](/herb/brahmi/) for cognitive support and stress relief
- With [Yashtimadhu](/herb/yashtimadhu/) for sore throat and cough
- With [Draksha](/herb/draksha/) (raisins) for blood nourishment and general debility
- With [Ghrita](/herb/ghrita/) (ghee) for Vata pacification and nourishment

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/badara/

## 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.