Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Bharangi

Clerodendrum serratum (L.) Moon

Bharangi (Clerodendrum serratum (L.) Moon) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Lamiaceae (formerly Verbenaceae) family. Included in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; documented in regional WHO SEARO traditional medicine databases.

Key facts
Botanical nameClerodendrum serratum (L.) Moon
FamilyLamiaceae (formerly Verbenaceae) · other entries in this family
OrderLamiales
Pharmacopoeia statusIncluded in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; documented in regional WHO SEARO traditional medicine databases
Taxon identifiersGBIF 8355397 · Wikidata Q10865838 · NCBI Taxonomy 1158923

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishBharangi
Latin/BotanicalClerodendrum serratum (L.) Moon

Key Phytochemical Constituents

How does it work?

  • Anti-asthmatic: Saponins and terpenoids inhibit mast cell degranulation, reduce IgE levels, and suppress Th2 cytokine (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13) production
  • Anti-inflammatory: Oleanolic acid and hispidulin inhibit 5-LOX and COX-2, reducing leukotriene and prostaglandin synthesis
  • Hepatoprotective: Acteoside and flavonoids scavenge hepatic free radicals and restore glutathione levels in damaged liver tissue

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Anti-asthmatic use (Shwasa-Kasahara) validated through ovalbumin-induced asthma model showing reduction in bronchial inflammation and IgE
  • Anti-inflammatory use for joint disorders confirmed by significant inhibition of carrageenan-induced edema
  • Hepatoprotective traditional use supported by normalization of liver enzymes in CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity models

What do recent clinical trials show?

2 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • Non-toxic at therapeutic doses; LD50 > 2000 mg/kg in acute oral toxicity studies; seed extracts confirmed safe in recent 2025 evaluation
  • No significant drug interactions reported; however, patients on anti-asthmatic medications should use under medical supervision for potential synergistic effects

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

  • Mannitol
  • Hispidulin
  • Acteoside
  • Verbascoside
  • Scutellarein
  • Spinasterol
  • Serratumin A
  • Oleanolic acid
  • Alpha-

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

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kashayam (decoction), Tablet, Capsule, Kwath Ghana (solid extract), Vati (traditional pill)

Standard Dosage: 3-6g powder twice daily; 50-100ml decoction; 500mg extract capsule; traditionally 1-3g with honey for respiratory conditions

Bioavailability: Hispidulin and related flavonoids show moderate oral bioavailability (25-40%). Clerodane diterpenes have good lipophilicity favoring absorption. Administration with honey (traditional Anupana for Kapha disorders) enhances mucosal absorption and provides additional antimicrobial synergy. Piperine co-administration can enhance diterpene absorption.

Optimal Timing: Before meals with honey for respiratory conditions; with warm water for anti-inflammatory effects; twice daily for chronic conditions

Standardized Extract: Root extract standardized to hispidulin NLT 0.5%; total diterpenes NLT 2%; aqueous extract 8:1 concentration ratio

Shelf Life: 2 years (powder); 3 years (tablet/capsule); 1 year (decoction)

Storage: Cool, dry place away from light. Airtight containers for powder. Tablets in blister packs to protect from moisture.

Marker Compounds: Hispidulin, Scutellarein-7-glucuronide, Bharangin (clerodane diterpene), Clerosterol, Beta-sitosterol, Ursolic acid, Oleanolic acid

Extraction Methods

  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (70:30 ethanol:water)
  • Aqueous decoction for Kashayam
  • Methanol extraction for diterpene-rich fractions
  • Ethyl acetate partitioning for flavonoid isolation

Synergistic Combinations

  • With Kantakari for bronchial asthma and respiratory disorders
  • With Vasa (Adhatoda) for productive cough
  • With Tulsi for upper respiratory infections
  • With Pippali for enhanced bioavailability and Kapha reduction
  • With Haridra for anti-allergic formulations

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.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses1

  1. Gogoi B, Gogoi D, Silla Y and others. 2017. Network pharmacology-based virtual screening of natural products from Clerodendrum species for identification of novel anti-cancer therapeuticsMolecular bioSystems. PMID 28070575 · doi:10.1039/c6mb00807k

Other clinical studies and reviews1

  1. Patel JJ, Acharya SR, Acharya NS. 2014. Clerodendrum serratum (L.) Moon. - a review on traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological activitiesJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 24727551 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2014.03.071

Laboratory and animal studies10

  1. Suksanga A, Eawsakul K, Bunluepuech K. 2026. Preparation and Evaluation of Niosomal Clerodendrum serratum (Linn.) Moon Extract Formulations: Comparative In Silico and In Vitro Studies of Drying Methods for the Treatment of HemorrhoidsScientifica. PMID 42064586 · doi:10.1155/sci5/3662572
  2. Patel RR, Mishra A, Singh SK and others. 2025. Mechanistic evaluation of Clerodendrum serratum anti-biofilm potency against Mycobacterium speciesMicrobial pathogenesis. PMID 40812437 · doi:10.1016/j.micpath.2025.107985
  3. Vidyasagar, Patel RR, Singh SK and others. 2024. Facile green synthesis of silver nanoparticles derived from the medicinal plant Clerodendrum serratum and its biological activity against Mycobacterium speciesHeliyon. PMID 38799742 · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31116
  4. Hasan A, Devi Ms S, Sharma G and others. 2023. Vathasura Kudineer, an Andrographis based polyherbal formulation exhibits immunomodulation and inhibits chikungunya virus (CHIKV) under invitro conditionsJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 36181982 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2022.115762
  5. Arora P, Ansari SH, Nainwal LM. 2022. Clerodendrum serratum extract attenuates production of inflammatory mediators in ovalbumin-induced asthma in ratsTurkish journal of chemistry. PMID 38143476 · doi:10.3906/kim-2107-22
  6. Tiwari RK, Chanda S, M U and others. 2021. Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Arthritic Potential of Standardized Extract of Clerodendrum serratum (L.) MoonFrontiers in pharmacology. PMID 33912046 · doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.629607
  7. Mahajan H, Singh Arora D, Singh H and others. 2021. Scientific validation of the antimicrobial and antiproliferative potential of Clerodendrum serratum (L.) Moon, its phytoconstituents and their biosafety by acute oral toxicity studyDrug and chemical toxicology. PMID 31368375 · doi:10.1080/01480545.2019.1643875
  8. Vasudev S, More VS, Ananthraju KS and others. 2021. Potential of herbal cocktail of medicinal plant extracts against 'big four' snake venoms from IndiaJournal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine. PMID 34334287 · doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2021.04.006
  9. Joshi B, Panda SK, Jouneghani RS and others. 2020. Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antiviral, and Anthelmintic Activities of Medicinal Plants of Nepal Selected Based on Ethnobotanical EvidenceEvidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. PMID 32382275 · doi:10.1155/2020/1043471
  10. Vazhayil BK, Rajagopal SS, Thangavelu T and others. 2017. Neuroprotective effect of Clerodendrum serratum Linn. leaves extract against acute restraint stress-induced depressive-like behavioral symptoms in adult miceIndian journal of pharmacology. PMID 28458420 · doi:10.4103/0253-7613.201028

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