# Gambhari Phala

> Gambhari Phala (Gmelina arborea Roxb.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Lamiaceae (formerly Verbenaceae) family. Not listed in WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants; Gmelina arborea documented in Indian Pharmacopoeia; Gambhari is one of the Dashamoola (ten roots) group in Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Gmelina arborea Roxb.
- **Family:** Lamiaceae (formerly Verbenaceae)
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Not listed in WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants; Gmelina arborea documented in Indian Pharmacopoeia; Gambhari is one of the Dashamoola (ten roots) group in Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | [Gambhari](/herb/gambhari/) Phala |
| Latin/Botanical | *Gmelina arborea Roxb.* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- Butyric acid
- Tartaric acid
- Arboreal
- [Verbascoside](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#verbascoside)
- Gmelinol
- Isoarboreol
- [Apigenin](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#apigenin)
- [Umbelliferone](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#umbelliferone)
- Balanophonin
- [Lignans](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#lignans) (iridoid [glycosides](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#glycosides))

## How does it work?

- Verbascoside ([acteoside](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#acteoside)) exhibits potent [antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/) activity through direct radical scavenging and inhibition of lipid peroxidation; also shows anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing NF-kB and AP-1 transcription factor activation
- Iridoid glycosides provide [hepatoprotective](/reference/hepatoprotective/) effects by enhancing glutathione levels and superoxide dismutase activity while reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in liver tissue
- [Apigenin](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#apigenin) and umbelliferone exert [cardioprotective](/reference/cardioprotective/) effects through inhibition of platelet aggregation and reduction of cardiac troponin levels in ischemia-reperfusion injury models

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Raktasthambhaka ([hemostatic](/glossary/pharmacology/#hemostatic)/anti-hemorrhagic) activity partially validated; Charaka Samhita states '[Gambhari](/herb/gambhari/) fruit is best among substances useful in bleeding disorders' - supported by tannin and phenolic content
- Brain tonic (Medhya) and nourishing properties supported by nutritional analysis showing significant protein, mineral, and vitamin content in fruit preparations
- Anti-inflammatory and [analgesic](/reference/analgesic/) effects validated in preclinical models supporting traditional use for Shotha (inflammation) and Jwara (fever)

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Warrier RR, Priya SM, Kalaiselvi R 2021. [Gmelina arborea- an indigenous timber species of India with high medicinal value: A review on its pharmacology, pharmacognosy and phytochemistry](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33217516/). *Journal of ethnopharmacology*. PMID [33217516](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33217516/) · [doi:10.1016/j.jep.2020.113593](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.113593)  
  Documented wide spectrum of pharmacological properties including wound healing, cytotoxic, cardioprotective, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antidiabetic potential.

*2 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.*

## Recent safety updates

- Fruits are edible and traditionally consumed as food; general safety profile supported by long traditional use as both food and medicine in Ayurveda
- Limited formal toxicity studies available; no significant adverse effects reported in traditional use at standard doses
- Use with caution in patients on anticoagulant therapy due to potential additive effects; avoid standardized extracts during pregnancy due to insufficient safety data

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Fresh fruit pulp, Dried fruit powder, Avaleha (fruit confection), Tablet, Capsule, Swarasa (fruit juice)

**Standard Dosage:** 10-20g fresh fruit or fruit pulp; 3-6g dried fruit powder twice daily; 500mg extract capsule twice daily; 15-30ml fruit juice

**Bioavailability:** Gmelina arborea fruit contains iridoid glycosides, flavonoids, organic acids, and natural sugars ([glucose](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#glucose), [fructose](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#fructose)). The fruit pulp provides a natural matrix that enhances dissolution and absorption of glycosidic actives. Sugar content aids osmotic absorption. Organic acids (citric, tartaric) may enhance mineral absorption. Fruit flavonoids have moderate bioavailability (15-30%). The sweet, mucilaginous fruit pulp serves as a natural sustained-release matrix. Enhancement generally not required for fruit preparations.

**Optimal Timing:** Fresh fruit or juice on empty stomach in the morning for nutritive tonic effect; Avaleha after meals; capsule twice daily with meals

**Standardized Extract:** Fruit extract standardized to NLT 1.5% total iridoid glycosides. Fruit powder: sugar content (Brix) 60-70% for dried powder. Extract ratio 4:1. HPTLC fingerprint matching reference standard.

**Shelf Life:** Fresh fruit: 3-5 days refrigerated; 2 years (dried fruit powder); 2 years (capsule/tablet); 1 year (Avaleha)

**Storage:** Fresh fruit: refrigerate at 2-8 deg C. Dried fruit powder: airtight, moisture-proof containers below 25 deg C with desiccant. Avaleha: airtight glass containers at room temperature.

**Marker Compounds:** Gmelinoside, Cerotic acid, Butyric acid, Beta-[sitosterol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sitosterol), [Apigenin](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#apigenin), Total sugar content, Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

### Extraction Methods

- Fresh fruit juice expression
- Aqueous extraction of dried fruit
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (50:50)
- Traditional Avaleha preparation (fruit cooked with sugar/jaggery)
- Spray-dried fruit juice

### Synergistic Combinations

- With Amalaki fruit for antioxidant and tonic synergy
- With [Yashtimadhu](/herb/yashtimadhu/) for cooling, soothing, and Pitta-pacifying combination
- With [Guduchi](/herb/guduchi/) for immune support and [Rasayana](/reference/rasayana/)
- With [Shatavari](/herb/shatavari/) for nutritive and [galactagogue](/glossary/pharmacology/#galactagogue) action

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/gambhari-phala/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases)
- 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.