# Chandrashura

> Chandrashura (Lepidium sativum L.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Brassicaceae (Cruciferae) family. Not listed in WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants; documented in Indian Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia as Chandrashura; FSSAI (India) recognizes it as a food supplement.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Lepidium sativum L.
- **Family:** Brassicaceae (Cruciferae)
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Not listed in WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants; documented in Indian Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia as Chandrashura; FSSAI (India) recognizes it as a food supplement

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Chandrashura |
| Latin/Botanical | *Lepidium sativum L.* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- Glucotropaeolin (benzyl glucosinolate)
- Sinapic acid
- Imidazole [alkaloids](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#alkaloids) (lepidine, semilepidine)
- Alpha-linolenic acid
- [Tocopherols](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#tocopherols)
- [Quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/)
- [Kaempferol](/reference/kaempferol/)
- [Sulforaphane](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sulforaphane)
- Benzyl isothiocyanate
- [Mucilage](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#mucilage) [polysaccharides](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#polysaccharides)

## How does it work?

- Glucosinolate metabolites (benzyl isothiocyanate, sulforaphane) activate Nrf2-ARE [antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/) pathway, upregulating phase II detoxification [enzymes](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#enzymes) and providing chemopreventive effects
- Mucilage polysaccharides form protective gel layer on gastrointestinal mucosa, reducing gastric acid damage and providing gastroprotective and [laxative](/reference/laxative/) effects
- Lepidine alkaloids and [isothiocyanates](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#isothiocyanates) exhibit [galactagogue](/glossary/pharmacology/#galactagogue) activity through modulation of prolactin secretion pathways, enhancing milk production in lactating women

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Galactagogue (milk-promoting) activity validated through traditional use documentation and preliminary pharmacological evidence supporting Ayurvedic use as Stanyajanana (milk-promoting herb)
- Bone strengthening and fracture healing validated through preclinical studies showing enhanced calcium absorption and osteoblast activity, supporting traditional use for Asthi-Sandhaniya (bone healing) in Ayurveda
- Antiasthmatic and [expectorant](/reference/expectorant/) effects confirmed in preclinical models supporting traditional use for Shwasa (asthma) and Kasa (cough)

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Gupta S, Gupta R 2024. [Research Update on the Therapeutic Potential of Garden Cress (Lepidium sativum Linn.) with Threatened Status](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37929722/). *Current drug research reviews*. PMID [37929722](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37929722/) · [doi:10.2174/0125899775273877231023102011](https://doi.org/10.2174/0125899775273877231023102011)  
  Updated review documenting diverse pharmacological activities including galactagogue, anticarcinogenic, [antidiabetic](/reference/antidiabetic/), antiasthmatic, and antidiarrheal properties with emphasis on need for human clinical trials.
- Vazifeh S, Kananpour P, Khalilpour M and others 2022. [Anti-inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Properties of Lepidium sativum](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35937400/). *BioMed research international*. PMID [35937400](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35937400/) · [doi:10.1155/2022/3645038](https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/3645038)  
  Garden cress seed extract significantly inhibited carrageenan-induced paw edema, reduced yeast-induced hyperpyrexia, and demonstrated dose-dependent [analgesic](/reference/analgesic/) activity.

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

## Recent safety updates

- Acute and subchronic toxicity studies in Wistar rats (14 weeks, 1-10% dietary incorporation) showed no mortality, no significant changes in body weight, organ weight, or hematological parameters - considered non-toxic and safe
- Majority of studies are animal-based; there is a critical need for human clinical efficacy and safety trials
- Potential goitrogenic effects due to glucosinolate content; caution in patients with thyroid disorders; avoid high doses during pregnancy due to potential uterotonic effects

## What is it made of?

### Key Active Markers

- Alkaloids
- Tocopherols
- Quercetin
- Kaempferol
- Sulforaphane
- Mucilage
- Polysaccharides
- Glucotropaeolin 

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

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (seed powder), Capsule, Tablet, Modaka (sweetmeat), Laddoo (traditional preparation), Oil

**Standard Dosage:** 3-6g seed powder twice daily with warm milk; 500mg extract capsule; seeds soaked in water overnight and consumed; seed oil 5-10ml

**Bioavailability:** Lepidium sativum (garden cress) seed [glucosinolates](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#glucosinolates) require [myrosinase](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#myrosinase) enzyme activation (released upon crushing/chewing) to form bioactive isothiocyanates. Isothiocyanates show rapid oral absorption (>80%). Iron content (5-6mg/100g) is moderately bioavailable; ascorbic acid co-administration enhances iron absorption. Mucilage content (20-25%) provides sustained release of embedded compounds. Omega-3 fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid: 28-32% of seed oil) are well absorbed.

**Optimal Timing:** With warm milk after meals for bone health; traditional Laddoo postpartum with meals; soaked seeds early morning for general health; oil with meals

**Standardized Extract:** Seed extract standardized to total glucosinolates NLT 3%; seed oil with alpha-linolenic acid NLT 28%. Iron content specification: NLT 5mg/100g seed.

**Shelf Life:** 2 years (whole seeds); 1 year (seed powder); 1 year (oil, nitrogen-flushed); 3 months (Laddoo)

**Storage:** Whole seeds in airtight containers (very stable). Powder susceptible to moisture absorption due to mucilage—airtight with desiccant. Oil in amber glass, refrigerated after opening. Laddoo in airtight containers, consume within 3 months.

**Marker Compounds:** Glucotropaeolin (benzyl glucosinolate), Benzyl isothiocyanate, Alpha-linolenic acid, Linoleic acid, Tocopherols, Beta-[sitosterol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sitosterol), [Campesterol](/glossary/compounds-a-c/#campesterol), Iron, Calcium

### Extraction Methods

- Mechanical grinding of seeds for powder
- Cold pressing for seed oil (oil yield: 20-25%)
- Aqueous soaking for mucilage extraction
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (60:40) for glucosinolate-rich fractions
- Supercritical CO2 for high-quality seed oil

### Synergistic Combinations

- With [Ashwagandha](/herb/ashwagandha/) for bone health and strength building
- With [Shatavari](/herb/shatavari/) for galactagogue (lactation) support
- With [Methi](/herb/methi/) (fenugreek) for postpartum recovery formulations
- With Jaggery and ghee in traditional Laddoo for iron supplementation
- With Til (sesame) for calcium and bone health

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

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases)
- 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.