# Gangeruki

> Gangeruki (Grewia tenax (Forssk.) Fiori) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Tiliaceae (Malvaceae sensu lato) family. Not listed in WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants; documented in Ayurvedic and Siddha pharmacopoeias; recognized in African traditional medicine systems for iron deficiency management.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Grewia tenax (Forssk.) Fiori
- **Family:** Tiliaceae (Malvaceae sensu lato)
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Not listed in WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants; documented in Ayurvedic and Siddha pharmacopoeias; recognized in African traditional medicine systems for iron deficiency management

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Gangeruki |
| Latin/Botanical | *Grewia tenax (Forssk.) Fiori* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- Lupenone
- [Betulin](/glossary/compounds-a-c/#betulin)
- Beta-[sitosterol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sitosterol)
- Beta-amyrin
- Triacontan
- Vitamin E ([tocopherols](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#tocopherols))
- 6,6-Dideutero-nonen-1-ol-3
- 3-Deoxy-d-mannoic lactone
- Methyl furfural
- [Phytosterols](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#phytosterols)

## How does it work?

- Betulin and lupenone [triterpenes](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#triterpenes) exhibit [hepatoprotective](/reference/hepatoprotective/) effects by reducing oxidative stress markers (MDA, SOD, catalase) and normalizing serum hepatic [enzymes](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#enzymes) (SGOT, SGPT, ALP) in CCl4-induced liver damage models
- [Flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/) and phytosterols provide [antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/) and radioprotective effects through scavenging of free radicals and upregulation of cellular defense enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase)
- Fruit extract mediates gut relaxant effects through calcium channel blocking mechanism and modulation of intestinal smooth muscle contractility

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Anti-anemia (iron supplementation) validated through comparative clinical study demonstrating efficacy similar to ferrous gluconate in women with iron deficiency anemia
- Antidiarrhoeal and gut-soothing effects validated through in vivo and ex vivo pharmacodynamic studies supporting traditional Ayurvedic use for Atisara (diarrhea)
- Hepatoprotective activity validated in CCl4-induced liver damage models, supporting traditional use for liver-related conditions

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Rehman NU, Ansari MN, Ahmad W and others 2022. [The Detailed Pharmacodynamics of the Gut Relaxant Effect and GC-MS Analysis of the Grewia tenax Fruit Extract: In Vivo and Ex Vivo Approach](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36558012/). *Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)*. PMID [36558012](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36558012/) · [doi:10.3390/molecules27248880](https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27248880)  
  G. tenax fruit extract showed dose-mediated antidiarrheal effect by inhibiting castor-oil-evoked diarrhea; GC-MS analysis identified key bioactive constituents responsible for gut relaxant activity.

*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

- Acute oral toxicity studies showed no adverse effects at 5000 mg/kg extract administration in animal models, indicating excellent oral safety profile
- Traditionally consumed as food (fruits eaten fresh, dried, or as flour) with long safety history across Africa and India
- No significant drug interactions documented; root extract used traditionally for fertility enhancement was found to be orally safe in preclinical evaluation

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (root powder), Kashayam (decoction), Tablet, Capsule, Kwath Ghana (solid extract)

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

**Bioavailability:** Grewia tenax / Grewia hirsuta (Gangeruki/Nagabalaa) root contains flavonoids, [tannins](/reference/tannins/), and mucilaginous [polysaccharides](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#polysaccharides). Flavonoid [glycosides](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#glycosides) have moderate bioavailability (15-25%). [Mucilage](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#mucilage) components are not systemically absorbed but act as prebiotic in the colon and modulate GI absorption of other constituents. Traditional Kashayam preparation extracts both flavonoids and mucilage effectively. Limited modern pharmacokinetic data available. Enhancement: standard approaches for flavonoid-rich herbs (phospholipid complexation, [piperine](/reference/piperine/) co-administration).

**Optimal Timing:** Before meals with warm water for general tonic effect; Kashayam morning and evening

**Standardized Extract:** Aqueous or hydroalcoholic root extract characterized by HPTLC fingerprint. Total flavonoid content NLT 1.5% (as [quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/) equivalent). Mucilage content NLT 5%. Extract ratio 5:1 to 8:1.

**Shelf Life:** 2 years (root powder); 2.5 years (tablet/capsule); 3 years (Kwath Ghana sealed)

**Storage:** Airtight containers below 25 deg C, protected from moisture. Mucilaginous root powder is hygroscopic - use moisture-barrier packaging.

**Marker Compounds:** Flavonoids (quercetin, [kaempferol](/reference/kaempferol/) glycosides), Beta-sitosterol, Mucilage (polysaccharides), Tannins (total tannin content), [Friedelin](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#friedelin)

### Extraction Methods

- Aqueous decoction of dried root (traditional)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (50:50 ethanol:water)
- Cold maceration for mucilage extraction
- Spray-dried aqueous extract

### Synergistic Combinations

- With [Bala](/herb/bala/) (Sida cordifolia) for strength-building [Rasayana](/reference/rasayana/)
- With [Ashwagandha](/herb/ashwagandha/) for [adaptogenic](/reference/adaptogenic/) and tonic synergy
- With [Gokshura](/herb/gokshura/) for urinary and reproductive tonic combination
- With [Shatavari](/herb/shatavari/) for nutritive and rejuvenative formulation

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

## 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.