Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Dhataki

Woodfordia fruticosa

Dhataki (Woodfordia fruticosa) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Primary traditional use is as fermentation agent in Aristha/Asava preparations. Bioavailability: Woodfordia fruticosa flowers are rich in tannins (particularly ellagitannins and gallotannins) and flavonoids.

Key facts
Botanical nameWoodfordia fruticosa
FamilyLythraceae · other entries in this family
OrderMyrtales
Taxon identifiersGBIF 5635525 · Wikidata Q2143225 · NCBI Taxonomy 141189

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishDhataki

Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

PropertyValueDescription
Rasa (Taste)Kashaya, TiktaPrimary taste
Guna (Quality)LaghuPhysical quality
Virya (Potency)SheetaHeating/Cooling effect
Vipaka (Post-digestive)KatuPost-digestive effect

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Pushpa (flower) powder, Kashayam (decoction), Aristha/Asava (as fermentation initiator), Tablet, Capsule, Kwath Ghana

Standard Dosage: 3-6g flower powder twice daily; 50-100ml decoction twice daily; 500mg extract capsule twice daily. Primary traditional use is as fermentation agent in Aristha/Asava preparations.

Bioavailability: Woodfordia fruticosa flowers are rich in tannins (particularly ellagitannins and gallotannins) and flavonoids. Tannin bioavailability is low in parent form but gut microbiota convert ellagitannins to urolithins (bioavailable metabolites). Flavonoid glycosides (myricetin, quercetin glycosides) have moderate oral bioavailability (10-25%). The flower’s traditional use as Sandhana Dravya (fermenter) introduces beneficial enzymes and yeasts. Enhancement: phytosome technology for flavonoid-rich fraction; nanoparticle formulation of tannin fraction.

Optimal Timing: After meals with warm water for GI conditions; between meals for menstrual disorders

Standardized Extract: Hydroalcoholic extract standardized to NLT 15% total tannins (as tannic acid equivalent) and NLT 2% total flavonoids (as quercetin equivalent). Extract ratio 6:1.

Shelf Life: 2 years (dried flowers in airtight container); 2 years (powder); 3 years (tablet/capsule)

Storage: Dried flowers and powder in airtight, light-resistant containers below 25 deg C. Protect from moisture - high tannin content makes powder hygroscopic. Flowers for fermentation use: store in jute bags in dry, ventilated area.

Marker Compounds: Ellagic acid, Gallic acid, Myricetin, Quercetin, Woodfordin C, Oenothein B, Norbergenin

Extraction Methods

  • Aqueous decoction of dried flowers
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (50:50 ethanol:water)
  • Ethyl acetate fraction for flavonoid enrichment
  • Traditional use: flowers added directly to Aristha/Asava fermentation process

Synergistic Combinations

  • As Sandhana Dravya (fermentation initiator) with all Aristha/Asava preparations
  • With Lodhra for uterine tonic and menstrual regulation
  • With Ashoka for gynecological conditions
  • With Nagakesara for hemostatic synergy
  • With Ushira for Pitta-pacifying and hemostatic combination

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 reviews3

  1. Kumari A, Chandila N, Bhutani R and others. 2026. Hepatoprotective Potential of Indian Medicinal PlantsCombinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening. PMID 39835553 · doi:10.2174/0113862073346295250107070310
  2. Aileni M, Bulle M, Malavath RN and others. 2023. Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz: in vitro biotechnological interventions and perspectivesApplied microbiology and biotechnology. PMID 37522947 · doi:10.1007/s00253-023-12695-x
  3. Das PK, Goswami S, Chinniah A and others. 2007. Woodfordia fruticosa: traditional uses and recent findingsJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 17276634 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2006.12.029

Laboratory and animal studies9

  1. Lee EB, Lee K. 2024. Woodfordia fruticosa fermented with lactic acid bacteria impact on foodborne pathogens adhesion and cytokine production in HT-29 cellsFrontiers in microbiology. PMID 38751719 · doi:10.3389/fmicb.2024.1346909
  2. Najda A, Bains A, Klepacka J and others. 2022. Woodfordia fruticosa extract nanoemulsion: Influence of processing treatment on droplet size and its assessment for in vitro antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activityFrontiers in nutrition. PMID 36225883 · doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.944856
  3. Tayab MA, Chowdhury KAA, Jabed M and others. 2021. Antioxidant-Rich Woodfordia fruticosa Leaf Extract Alleviates Depressive-Like Behaviors and Impede HyperglycemiaPlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 33546288 · doi:10.3390/plants10020287
  4. Najda A, Bains A, Chawla P and others. 2021. Assessment of Anti-Inflammatory and Antimicrobial Potential of Ethanolic Extract of Woodfordia fruticosa Flowers: GC-MS AnalysisMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 34885782 · doi:10.3390/molecules26237193
  5. Raghuwanshi N, Yadav TC, Srivastava AK and others. 2019. Structure-based drug designing and identification of Woodfordia fruticosa inhibitors targeted against heat shock protein (HSP70-1) as suppressor for Imiquimod-induced psoriasis like skin inflammation in mice modelMaterials science & engineering. C, Materials for biological applications. PMID 30573271 · doi:10.1016/j.msec.2018.10.061
  6. Birajdar VV, Mhase AG, Gurav AM and others. 2014. Preliminary pharmacognostic and phytochemical standardization of Dhataki [Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz.] leavesAyu. PMID 25972722 · doi:10.4103/0974-8520.153752
  7. Baravalia Y, Vaghasiya Y, Chanda S. 2012. Brine Shrimp Cytotoxicity, Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Properties of Woodfordia fruticosa Kurz FlowersIranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR. PMID 24250512
  8. Shah AS, Juvekar AR. 2010. In vitro and in vivo immunostimulatory activity of Woodfordia fruticosa flowers on non-specific immunityPharmaceutical biology. PMID 20731559 · doi:10.3109/13880200903490497
  9. Chandan BK, Saxena AK, Shukla S and others. 2008. Hepatoprotective activity of Woodfordia fruticosa Kurz flowers against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicityJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 18639619 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2008.06.020

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