Bhutika
Cymbopogon citratus
Bhutika (Cymbopogon citratus) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Primarily used in external and fumigation applications traditionally. Bioavailability: Limited modern pharmacokinetic data. Volatile aromatic compounds are rapidly absorbed via inhalation (fumigation route) and transdermally.
| Botanical name | Cymbopogon citratus |
|---|---|
| Identity source | Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I, Vol. V: KATTRNA (Whole Plant) |
| Also called | Trachyspermum ammi (reported in the literature) Cymbopogon martinii (attribution recorded without a cited source) Cymbopogon jwarancusa (attribution recorded without a cited source) Cymbopogon schoenanthus (attribution recorded without a cited source) |
| Family | Poaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Poales |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 2705275 · Wikidata Q33913 · NCBI Taxonomy 66014 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Bhutika |
Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)
| Property | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | Katu, 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 (powder), Kashayam (decoction), Swarasa (fresh juice), Lepa (paste), Dhupana (fumigation)
Standard Dosage: 2-4g powder twice daily; 10-20ml juice; 30-60ml decoction. Primarily used in external and fumigation applications traditionally.
Bioavailability: Limited modern pharmacokinetic data. Volatile aromatic compounds are rapidly absorbed via inhalation (fumigation route) and transdermally. Oral bioavailability of terpenoid constituents is moderate. Traditional use in Dhupana (fumigation) bypasses first-pass metabolism for volatile fractions. Note: limited modern evidence—further research needed.
Optimal Timing: Fumigation as needed for environmental purification; internal use before meals with warm water; external paste as needed
Standardized Extract: Essential oil yield NLT 1.5% v/w; whole plant extract standardized to volatile oil content. Further standardization research recommended.
Shelf Life: 18 months (powder); 2 years (essential oil in sealed container); 1 year (paste preparations)
Storage: Airtight, light-protected containers. Essential oils in amber glass with minimal headspace. Temperature below 25°C. Volatile components dissipate in open storage.
Marker Compounds: Thymol, Carvacrol, Para-cymene, Gamma-terpinene, Beta-pinene, Terpinen-4-ol
Extraction Methods
- Steam distillation for essential oil
- Hydrodistillation for aromatic fractions
- Aqueous decoction for internal use
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (50:50) for general extract
Synergistic Combinations
- With Guggulu for Dhupana (fumigation) formulations
- With Neem for antimicrobial and insecticidal applications
- With Vacha for aromatic and cognitive formulations
- With Tulsi for respiratory health
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