# Durva

> Durva (Cynodon dactylon) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Flavone C-glycosides (orientin, vitexin) are resistant to acid hydrolysis and absorbed intact through SGLT1 transporter with moderate bioavailability (20-35%). Apigenin has moderate oral bioavailability (~25%) improved by lipid co-administration.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Cynodon dactylon

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Durva |

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

| Property | Value | Description |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| **Rasa** (Taste) | Madhura, Kashaya | Primary taste |
| **Guna** (Quality) | Laghu | Physical quality |
| **Virya** (Potency) | Sheeta | Heating/Cooling effect |
| **Vipaka** (Post-digestive) | Madhura | Post-digestive effect |

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Swarasa (fresh juice), Churna (powder), Kashayam (decoction), Tablet, Capsule, Lepa (paste for external use), [Ghrita](/herb/ghrita/) (medicated ghee)

**Standard Dosage:** 10-20ml fresh juice twice daily; 3-6g powder twice daily; 50-100ml decoction twice daily; 500mg extract capsule twice daily

**Bioavailability:** Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda grass / Durva) contains [flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/) ([apigenin](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#apigenin), [luteolin](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#luteolin), [orientin](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#orientin), [vitexin](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#vitexin)), [triterpenoids](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#triterpenoids), and [phytosterols](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#phytosterols). Flavone C-[glycosides](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#glycosides) (orientin, vitexin) are resistant to acid hydrolysis and absorbed intact through SGLT1 transporter with moderate bioavailability (20-35%). [Apigenin](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#apigenin) has moderate oral bioavailability (~25%) improved by lipid co-administration. Fresh juice provides labile enzyme and [chlorophyll](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#chlorophyll) components lost during drying. Enhancement: self-microemulsifying delivery system (SMEDDS) for terpenoid fraction; cyclodextrin inclusion for flavonoid stabilization.

**Optimal Timing:** Fresh juice on empty stomach in the morning for blood purification and [hemostatic](/glossary/pharmacology/#hemostatic) effects; before meals for GI conditions; externally as needed

**Standardized Extract:** Aqueous or hydroalcoholic extract standardized to NLT 3% total flavonoids (as vitexin equivalent). Extract ratio 10:1. HPTLC fingerprint with characteristic orientin, vitexin, and luteolin bands.

**Shelf Life:** Fresh juice: use within 6 hours (or pasteurized: 3 months refrigerated); 2 years (powder); 3 years (tablet/capsule)

**Storage:** Dried herb in airtight, light-resistant containers below 25 deg C. Fresh grass: refrigerate, process within 24 hours. Juice: refrigerate at 2-8 deg C. Green powder darkens on light exposure - use opaque packaging.

**Marker Compounds:** Orientin, Vitexin, Luteolin, Apigenin, Beta-[sitosterol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sitosterol), Cynodin, Triterpenoids ([friedelin](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#friedelin), beta-amyrin)

### Extraction Methods

- Fresh juice expression (Swarasa - traditional, most valued)
- Aqueous decoction of dried herb
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (60:40)
- Cold maceration for heat-labile constituents
- Spray-dried juice for stable powder form

### Synergistic Combinations

- With [Ushira](/herb/ushira/) (vetiver) for hemostatic and Pitta-pacifying synergy
- With [Lodhra](/herb/lodhra/) for uterine tonic combination
- With [Nagakesara](/herb/nagakesara/) and [Ashoka](/herb/ashoka/) for menorrhagia management
- With [Chandana](/herb/chandana/) (sandalwood) for cooling and hemostatic Pitta formulations
- With Amalaki for [antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/) and [Rasayana](/reference/rasayana/) synergy

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

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- 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.