Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Durva

Cynodon dactylon

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 nameCynodon dactylon
FamilyPoaceae · other entries in this family
OrderPoales
Taxon identifiersGBIF 6109637 · NCBI Taxonomy 28909

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishDurva

Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

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

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Swarasa (fresh juice), Churna (powder), Kashayam (decoction), Tablet, Capsule, Lepa (paste for external use), 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 (apigenin, luteolin, orientin, vitexin), triterpenoids, and phytosterols. 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. Fresh juice provides labile enzyme and 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 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, Cynodin, Triterpenoids (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 (vetiver) for hemostatic and Pitta-pacifying synergy
  • With Lodhra for uterine tonic combination
  • With Nagakesara and Ashoka for menorrhagia management
  • With Chandana (sandalwood) for cooling and hemostatic Pitta formulations
  • With Amalaki for antioxidant and Rasayana synergy

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. Nischitha R, Singh SK. 2025. Endophytic fungi of Cynodon dactylon: a treasure trove of bioactive compoundsArchives of microbiology. PMID 40349267 · doi:10.1007/s00203-025-04296-1
  2. Sun X, Fu Q, Song Y and others. 2024. Research Progress and Prospects of Molecular Breeding in Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon)International journal of molecular sciences. PMID 39769020 · doi:10.3390/ijms252413254
  3. Reasor EH, Brosnan JT, Trigiano RN and others. 2016. The genetic and phenotypic variability of interspecific hybrid bermudagrasses (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. × C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy) used on golf course putting greensPlanta. PMID 27448290 · doi:10.1007/s00425-016-2573-8

Laboratory and animal studies9

  1. Entio LJ, Taggart CB, Muir JP and others. 2024. Biochar and Dairy Manure Amendment Effects on Cynodon dactylon Performance and Soil PropertiesPlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 38256792 · doi:10.3390/plants13020242
  2. Cabrera-Pérez C, Royo-Esnal A, Català B and others. 2024. Cover crops terminated with roller-crimper to manage Cynodon dactylon and other weeds in vineyardsPest management science. PMID 38148292 · doi:10.1002/ps.7953
  3. Falik O, Novoplansky A. 2023. Interspecific Drought Cuing in PlantsPlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36904059 · doi:10.3390/plants12051200
  4. Cai X, Li X, Peng L and others. 2023. Effects of mowing on Pb accumulation and transport in Cynodon dactylon (L.) PersEnvironmental science and pollution research international. PMID 36973620 · doi:10.1007/s11356-023-26623-z
  5. Vinayagam R, Santhoshkumar M, Lee KE and others. 2021. Bioengineered gold nanoparticles using Cynodon dactylon extract and its cytotoxicity and antibacterial activitiesBioprocess and biosystems engineering. PMID 33606108 · doi:10.1007/s00449-021-02527-5
  6. Ye T, Wang Y, Feng YQ and others. 2021. Physiological and metabolomic responses of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) to alkali stressPhysiologia plantarum. PMID 32909624 · doi:10.1111/ppl.13209
  7. Hansen TL, Chizek EL, Zugay OK and others. 2019. Digestibility and Retention Time of Coastal Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) Hay by HorsesAnimals : an open access journal from MDPI. PMID 31847350 · doi:10.3390/ani9121148
  8. Murali KS, Sivasubramanian S, Vincent S and others. 2015. Anti-chikungunya activity of luteolin and apigenin rich fraction from Cynodon dactylonAsian Pacific journal of tropical medicine. PMID 26003593 · doi:10.1016/S1995-7645(14)60343-6
  9. Mangathayaru K, Umadevi M, Reddy CU. 2009. Evaluation of the immunomodulatory and DNA protective activities of the shoots of Cynodon dactylonJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 19429359 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2009.02.036

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