Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Draksha

Vitis vinifera

Draksha (Vitis vinifera) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Resveratrol has low oral bioavailability (<1% as free resveratrol) due to rapid glucuronidation and sulfation. However, resveratrol metabolites (resveratrol-3-O-glucuronide, resveratrol-3-sulfate) retain partial biological activity.

Key facts
Botanical nameVitis vinifera
FamilyVitaceae
OrderVitales
Taxon identifiersGBIF 5372392 · Wikidata Q30046 · NCBI Taxonomy 29760

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishDraksha

Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

PropertyValueDescription
Rasa (Taste)Madhura, AmlaPrimary taste
Guna (Quality)Guru, SnigdhaPhysical quality
Virya (Potency)SheetaHeating/Cooling effect
Vipaka (Post-digestive)MadhuraPost-digestive effect

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Swarasa (juice), Churna (dried fruit powder), Avaleha (confection/jam), Kashayam (decoction), Mridvika preparation, Capsule, Tablet

Standard Dosage: 10-20g dried grapes (Munakka) soaked and consumed; 50-100ml fresh juice; 5-10g powder twice daily; 1-2 teaspoons Avaleha twice daily

Bioavailability: Vitis vinifera (grape/raisin) contains polyphenols including resveratrol, proanthocyanidins (OPCs), and anthocyanins. Resveratrol has low oral bioavailability (<1% as free resveratrol) due to rapid glucuronidation and sulfation. However, resveratrol metabolites (resveratrol-3-O-glucuronide, resveratrol-3-sulfate) retain partial biological activity. OPCs have moderate bioavailability (10-15% for monomers/dimers; lower for oligomers). Enhancement: trans-resveratrol in piperine combination increases bioavailability 1544% (clinical data); cyclodextrin complexation improves aqueous solubility 400x; nanoparticle formulation; liposomal delivery. Traditional Drakshavaleha preparation with ghee may enhance lipophilic compound absorption.

Optimal Timing: Soaked Munakka in the morning on empty stomach for mild laxative effect; juice/Avaleha after meals for digestive and tonic purposes; at bedtime with milk for Rasayana effect

Standardized Extract: Grape seed extract (GSE): standardized to NLT 95% total polyphenols and NLT 80% OPCs (oligomeric proanthocyanidins) by UV spectrophotometry. Resveratrol extract: NLT 50% trans-resveratrol. Whole fruit extract ratio 4:1.

Shelf Life: 1 year (whole dried fruit in sealed pack); 2 years (powder); 3 years (GSE capsule/tablet); 1 year (Avaleha)

Storage: Dried fruit: airtight, moisture-proof packaging below 25 deg C - susceptible to moisture absorption and microbial growth. Extracts and capsules: cool, dry place, light-protected. Avaleha: airtight glass/food-grade container at room temperature.

Marker Compounds: trans-Resveratrol, Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), Catechin, Epicatechin, Quercetin-3-glucoside, Malvidin-3-glucoside (anthocyanin), Gallic acid

Extraction Methods

  • Cold-pressing of fresh grapes for juice
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction of dried fruit (70:30 ethanol:water)
  • Ethyl acetate extraction for polyphenol-rich fraction
  • Supercritical CO2 for resveratrol extraction from grape seeds/skin
  • Enzymatic extraction for enhanced OPC yield

Synergistic Combinations

  • With Amalaki for antioxidant synergy and Rasayana effect
  • With Yashtimadhu for respiratory and GI soothing combination
  • With Pippali for enhanced resveratrol bioavailability
  • With Guduchi for immune-tonic (Rasayana) formulation
  • Used as Anupana (vehicle) for many formulations due to mild, sweet nature

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.

Randomised controlled trials1

  1. Rayyan M, Terkawi T, Abdo H and others. 2018. Efficacy of grape seed extract gel in the treatment of chronic periodontitis: A randomized clinical studyJournal of investigative and clinical dentistry. PMID 29349878 · doi:10.1111/jicd.12318

Other clinical studies and reviews11

  1. Bhatt V, Tiwari AK. 2023. Sirtuins, a key regulator of ageing and age-related neurodegenerative diseasesThe International journal of neuroscience. PMID 35549800 · doi:10.1080/00207454.2022.2057849
  2. Afnan, Saleem A, Akhtar MF and others. 2022. Anticancer, Cardio-Protective and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Natural-Sources-Derived Phenolic AcidsMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36364110 · doi:10.3390/molecules27217286
  3. Naidu KCB, Kumar NS, Banerjee P and others. 2021. A review on the origin of nanofibers/nanorods structures and applicationsJournal of materials science. Materials in medicine. PMID 34117944 · doi:10.1007/s10856-021-06541-7
  4. Barbalho SM, Bueno Ottoboni AMM, Fiorini AMR and others. 2020. Grape juice or wine: which is the best option?Critical reviews in food science and nutrition. PMID 31920107 · doi:10.1080/10408398.2019.1710692
  5. Dhariwala MY, Ravikumar P. 2019. An overview of herbal alternatives in androgenetic alopeciaJournal of cosmetic dermatology. PMID 30980598 · doi:10.1111/jocd.12930
  6. Rauf A, Imran M, Butt MS and others. 2018. Resveratrol as an anti-cancer agent: A reviewCritical reviews in food science and nutrition. PMID 28001084 · doi:10.1080/10408398.2016.1263597
  7. Parker M, Capone DL, Francis IL and others. 2018. Aroma Precursors in Grapes and Wine: Flavor Release during Wine Production and ConsumptionJournal of agricultural and food chemistry. PMID 28220693 · doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.6b05255
  8. Jezek M, Zörb C, Merkt N and others. 2018. Anthocyanin Management in Fruits by FertilizationJournal of agricultural and food chemistry. PMID 29297687 · doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.7b03813
  9. Öztürk E, Arslan AKK, Yerer MB and others. 2017. Resveratrol and diabetes: A critical review of clinical studiesBiomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie. PMID 28843911 · doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2017.08.070
  10. Jadoon S, Karim S, Bin Asad MH and others. 2015. Anti-Aging Potential of Phytoextract Loaded-Pharmaceutical Creams for Human Skin Cell LongetivityOxidative medicine and cellular longevity. PMID 26448818 · doi:10.1155/2015/709628
  11. Howes MJ, Simmonds MS. 2014. The role of phytochemicals as micronutrients in health and diseaseCurrent opinion in clinical nutrition and metabolic care. PMID 25252018 · doi:10.1097/MCO.0000000000000115

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.