Dhava
Anogeissus latifolia
Dhava (Anogeissus latifolia) is a plant drug, also called Dhavala, Baakali and Dhaura. Tannin-rich fraction has low systemic bioavailability and is thought to act locally in the GI tract as an astringent; it is traditionally used for diarrhea. Ellagic acid undergoes gut microbial metabolism to urolithins. Flavonoid fraction has moderate bioavailability (15-30%).
| Botanical name | Anogeissus latifolia |
|---|---|
| Currently accepted name | Terminalia anogeissiana Gere & Boatwr., the name above is treated as a synonym by GBIF; both are in use |
| Family | Combretaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Myrtales |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 3189413 · Wikidata Q45166 · NCBI Taxonomy 1068672 |
| Sanskrit | धवल (dhavala) |
|---|---|
| Hindi | Baakali, धौरा (dhaurā), Dhav, धावड़ा (dhāvaṛā) |
| English | Axle wood |
| Tamil | Vellanagai, Vellanamai |
| Malayalam | Malukkanniram, Vellanava |
| Telugu | Chirimaanu, Dhaauyaa gaachh |
| Kannada | Dinduge |
| Marathi | Dhaavdaa, Dhaval |
| Bengali | Dhaauyaa gaachh |
| Gujarati | Dhaavado |
| Oriya | Dhaau |
Sources: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; India Flora Online (IISc) herbsheet for Anogeissus latifolia, Hindi: 'Bakla, Dhaura'.; India Flora Online (IISc) herbsheet for Anogeissus latifolia, Sanskrit: 'Madhuratvacha, Vakavruksha, Dhawala'.; hellobanswara.com Hindi article on Anogeissus latifolia: 'धावड़ा को धौरा, धव, धावडो, धमोडा आदि नामों से जाना जाता है'.. How we source.
The evidence at a glance
12papers on this site for this drug, published 2004 to 2024, every one with a DOI.
- 4Other clinical studies and reviews
- 8Laboratory and animal studies
A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Everything listed here is laboratory or animal work, which does not show an effect in people. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Dhava |
Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)
| Property | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | Kashaya | Primary taste |
| Guna (Quality) | Laghu, Ruksha | Physical quality |
| Virya (Potency) | Sheeta | Heating/Cooling effect |
| Vipaka (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kashayam (decoction), Kwath Ghana (solid extract), Tablet, Capsule
Standard Dosage: 3-6g bark powder twice daily; 50-100ml decoction twice daily; 500mg extract capsule twice daily
Optimal Timing: Before meals with warm water or honey for digestive conditions; after meals for diarrhea management
Storage: Airtight containers below 25 deg C, protected from moisture. Tannin-rich bark powder is hygroscopic - use moisture-proof packaging with desiccant.
Marker Compounds: Ellagic acid, Gallic acid, 3,3’-di-O-methylellagic acid, Beta-sitosterol, Anogeissinin, Quercetin
Synergistic Combinations
- With Kutaja for enhanced anti-diarrheal action
- With Dadima Twak for astringent synergy in dysentery
- With Musta for digestive disorder management
- With Lodhra for hemostatic and wound-healing applications
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
- 2024. Anogeissus Latifolia: A Comprehensive Review from Ethanobotanical Insights to Future Pharmacological FrontiersChemistry & biodiversity. PMID 39196821 · doi:10.1002/cbdv.202401378
- 2024. Gum Ghatti: A Comprehensive Review on Production, Processing, Remarkable Properties, and Diverse ApplicationsACS omega. PMID 38463282 · doi:10.1021/acsomega.3c08198
- 2017. Comparative evaluation of hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of various extract of Anogeissus latifolia bark in streptozotocin-induced diabetic ratsJournal of complementary & integrative medicine. PMID 28889731 · doi:10.1515/jcim-2016-0130
- 2016. The genus Anogeissus: A review on ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacologyJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 27566202 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2016.08.025
Laboratory and animal studies8
- 2021. Nephroprotective potential of Anogeissus latifolia Roxb. (Dhava) against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in ratsJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 33705920 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.114001
- 2021. The heparin-mimicking arabinogalactan sulfates from Anogeissus latifolia gum: Production, structures, and anti-herpes simplex virus activityInternational journal of biological macromolecules. PMID 34022307 · doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.05.107
- 2015. In Vitro Anticancer Activities of Anogeissus latifolia, Terminalia bellerica, Acacia catechu and Moringa oleiferna Indian PlantsAsian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP. PMID 26434854 · doi:10.7314/apjcp.2015.16.15.6423
- 2013. Identification of Anogeissus latifolia Wallich and analysis of refined gum ghattiJournal of natural medicines. PMID 22730002 · doi:10.1007/s11418-012-0678-3
- 2009. Hepatoprotective evaluation of Anogeissus latifolia: in vitro and in vivo studiesWorld journal of gastroenterology. PMID 19824117 · doi:10.3748/wjg.15.4816
- 2009. Characterization of gum ghatti (Anogeissus latifolia): a structural and rheological approachJournal of food science. PMID 19723196 · doi:10.1111/j.1750-3841.2009.01244.x
- 2006. Antiulcer and antimicrobial activity of Anogeissus latifoliaJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 16413714 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2005.12.002
- 2004. Antioxidant potential of Anogeissus latifoliaBiological & pharmaceutical bulletin. PMID 15305034 · doi:10.1248/bpb.27.1266
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.
Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.