Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Chandrashura

Lepidium sativum L.

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 nameLepidium sativum L.
FamilyBrassicaceae (Cruciferae)
OrderBrassicales
Pharmacopoeia statusNot listed in WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants; documented in Indian Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia as Chandrashura; FSSAI (India) recognizes it as a food supplement
Taxon identifiersGBIF 5376565 · Wikidata Q27033 · NCBI Taxonomy 33125

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishChandrashura
Latin/BotanicalLepidium sativum L.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

How does it work?

  • Glucosinolate metabolites (benzyl isothiocyanate, sulforaphane) activate Nrf2-ARE antioxidant pathway, upregulating phase II detoxification enzymes and providing chemopreventive effects
  • Mucilage polysaccharides form protective gel layer on gastrointestinal mucosa, reducing gastric acid damage and providing gastroprotective and laxative effects
  • Lepidine alkaloids and isothiocyanates exhibit 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 effects confirmed in preclinical models supporting traditional use for Shwasa (asthma) and Kasa (cough)

What do recent clinical trials show?

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 require 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, 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 for bone health and strength building
  • With Shatavari for galactagogue (lactation) support
  • With Methi (fenugreek) for postpartum recovery formulations
  • With Jaggery and ghee in traditional Laddoo for iron supplementation
  • With Til (sesame) for calcium and bone health

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 reviews4

  1. Gupta S, Gupta R. 2024. Research Update on the Therapeutic Potential of Garden Cress (Lepidium sativum Linn.) with Threatened StatusCurrent drug research reviews. PMID 37929722 · doi:10.2174/0125899775273877231023102011
  2. Vazifeh S, Kananpour P, Khalilpour M and others. 2022. Anti-inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Properties of Lepidium sativumBioMed research international. PMID 35937400 · doi:10.1155/2022/3645038
  3. Painuli S, Quispe C, Herrera-Bravo J and others. 2022. Nutraceutical Profiling, Bioactive Composition, and Biological Applications of Lepidium sativum LOxidative medicine and cellular longevity. PMID 35096265 · doi:10.1155/2022/2910411
  4. Prajapati VD, Maheriya PM, Jani GK and others. 2014. Lepidium sativum Linn.: a current addition to the family of mucilage and its applicationsInternational journal of biological macromolecules. PMID 24418343 · doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2014.01.008

Laboratory and animal studies8

  1. Shybyray Y, Liu L, Zhao H and others. 2025. Flavonoid glycosides in Lepidium sativum seeds and their bioactivitiesPhytochemistry. PMID 39832632 · doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2025.114410
  2. Detzlhofer A, Grechhamer C, Madikizela L and others. 2024. Uptake, translocation, and metabolization of amitriptyline, lidocaine, orphenadrine, and tramadol by cress and peaEnvironmental science and pollution research international. PMID 38363510 · doi:10.1007/s11356-024-32379-x
  3. Salehi H, Zhang L, Alp-Turgut FN and others. 2024. The exogenous application of naringenin and rosmarinic acid modulates functional traits in Lepidium sativumJournal of the science of food and agriculture. PMID 37994181 · doi:10.1002/jsfa.13160
  4. Gebreyohannes L, Egigu MC, Manikandan M and others. 2023. Allelopathic Potential of Lantana camara L. Leaf Extracts and Soils Invaded by It on the Growth Performance of Lepidium sativum LTheScientificWorldJournal. PMID 37214643 · doi:10.1155/2023/6663686
  5. Ahmad A, Tabassum H, Nabi R and others. 2022. Solid Lipid Nanoparticles of Lepidium Sativum L Seed Extract: Formulation, Optimization and In vitro Cytotoxicity StudiesDrug research. PMID 35504297 · doi:10.1055/a-1800-5956
  6. Sattari Vayghan H, Tavalaei S, Grillon A and others. 2020. Growth Temperature Influence on Lipids and Photosynthesis in Lepidium sativumFrontiers in plant science. PMID 32655589 · doi:10.3389/fpls.2020.00745
  7. Chatoui K, Harhar H, El Kamli T and others. 2020. Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Capacity of Lepidium sativum Seeds from Four Regions of MoroccoEvidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. PMID 32714416 · doi:10.1155/2020/7302727
  8. Attia ES, Amer AH, Hasanein MA. 2019. The hypoglycemic and antioxidant activities of garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) seed on alloxan-induced diabetic male ratsNatural product research. PMID 29237302 · doi:10.1080/14786419.2017.1413564

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