# Gambhari

> Gambhari (Gmelina arborea Roxb.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Lamiaceae (formerly Verbenaceae) family. Constituent of Dashamula in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; referenced in WHO regional traditional medicine databases for South-East Asia.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Gmelina arborea Roxb.
- **Family:** Lamiaceae (formerly Verbenaceae)
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Constituent of Dashamula in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; referenced in WHO regional traditional medicine databases for South-East Asia

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Gambhari |
| Latin/Botanical | *Gmelina arborea Roxb.* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- Gmelinol (lignan)
- Arboreol
- Isoarboreol
- Gmelanone
- [Luteolin](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#luteolin)
- [Apigenin](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#apigenin)-7-rutinoside
- [Verbascoside](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#verbascoside) (iridoid glycoside)
- Paulownin (lignan)

## How does it work?

- Anti-inflammatory: [Lignans](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#lignans) (gmelinol, paulownin) and [flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/) inhibit COX-2, LOX-5, and suppress TNF-alpha and IL-6 production
- [Cardioprotective](/reference/cardioprotective/): Iridoid [glycosides](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#glycosides) and flavonoids reduce myocardial oxidative stress and improve cardiac function through Nrf2 pathway activation
- [Immunomodulatory](/reference/immunomodulatory/): Verbascoside enhances macrophage phagocytic activity and modulates Th1/Th2 cytokine balance

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory use validated by 45% reduction in swelling in rodent arthritis models over 14 days
- Cardiotonic use (Hridya) supported by cardioprotective activity through reduction of myocardial oxidative stress
- Wound healing use confirmed by promotion of fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis in excision wound models

## 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)  
  Identified 69 phytochemicals including lignans, iridoid glycosides, flavonoids, and flavone glycosides; confirmed multiple pharmacological activities in vitro and in vivo.

*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

- No significant toxicity reported in acute and subacute animal studies; traditional Dashamula formulation has a long safety record
- Limited human clinical safety data; recommended to use within standard Ayurvedic dosage guidelines; not recommended in pregnancy without practitioner guidance

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (bark/fruit powder), Kashayam (decoction), Kwath Ghana (solid extract), Tablet, Capsule, Taila (medicated oil), Component of [Dashamoola](/herb/dashamoola/)

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

**Bioavailability:** Gmelina arborea root bark and fruit contain iridoid glycosides (gmelinoside, arboreol), flavonoids, and lignans. Iridoid glycosides have moderate oral bioavailability (20-40%) and are partially hydrolyzed in the GI tract to release aglycones with higher absorption. Fruit pulp provides natural sugars and [mucilage](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#mucilage) that may enhance dissolution and GI transit time for better absorption. The bark Kashayam form is traditionally favored for systemic effects. Enhancement: self-emulsifying formulations for lipophilic lignans; co-administration with [Trikatu](/herb/trikatu/) for general bioenhancement.

**Optimal Timing:** Before meals with warm water for general tonic and anti-inflammatory effects; Kashayam morning and evening

**Standardized Extract:** Root bark extract standardized to NLT 2% total iridoid glycosides by HPLC. Fruit extract: characterized by sugar profile and HPTLC fingerprint. Extract ratio 6:1 to 8:1.

**Shelf Life:** 2 years (bark powder); 2 years (fruit powder); 3 years (tablet/capsule); 3 years (Taila)

**Storage:** Bark powder: airtight containers below 25 deg C, protected from moisture. Fruit preparations: refrigerate fresh pulp, dried powder in moisture-proof containers. Taila: amber glass at room temperature.

**Marker Compounds:** Gmelinoside, Arboreol, Ursolic acid, Beta-[sitosterol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sitosterol), Luteolin, [Apigenin](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#apigenin), Hentriacontanol

### Extraction Methods

- Aqueous decoction of root bark (traditional Kashayam)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (60:40 ethanol:water)
- Cold maceration of fruit pulp
- Spray-dried aqueous extract for Kwath Ghana
- [Sesame oil](/glossary/concepts-m-y/#tila-taila) processing for Taila

### Synergistic Combinations

- Key ingredient in Dashamoola (10-root formulation)
- With [Bilva](/herb/bilva/) and [Shyonaka](/herb/shyonaka/) in Brihat Panchamoola
- With [Ashwagandha](/herb/ashwagandha/) for tonic and [adaptogenic](/reference/adaptogenic/) synergy
- With [Guduchi](/herb/guduchi/) for immunomodulatory combination
- With [Shatavari](/herb/shatavari/) for [Rasayana](/reference/rasayana/) (rejuvenation) formulation

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

## 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.