Gojihva

Names and identification

Language	Name
English	Gojihva
Latin/Botanical	Onosma bracteatum Wall.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

• Shikonins and onosmins (naphthoquinones - most significant)
• Naphthazarins and benzoquinones
• Lycopsamine and supindine viridiflorate (pyrrolizidine alkaloids in leaves)
• Choline and tannins
• Flavonoids and phenolic compounds
• Saponins and glycosides

How does it work?

• Studies of a hydro-alcoholic extract have reported anti-asthmatic activity, with mast cell stabilization and reduced bronchial hyper-responsiveness
• Studies have reported analgesic activity, with a dose-dependent increase in latency period
• Laboratory studies have reported anticancer mechanisms through shikonin/onosmin-mediated topoisomerase inhibition, ROS generation, and apoptosis induction
• Studies have reported anti-inflammatory action via inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators and stabilization of lysosomal membranes

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.

• Respiratory tonic (Shvasa-hara): traditionally used as a respiratory tonic and for asthma. Studies have reported mast cell stabilization and reduced bronchial hyper-responsiveness.
• Cooling and antipyretic (Jvarahara): traditionally used in Unani and Ayurvedic practice as a cooling herb for fever.
• Throat and oral health (Mukha-roga): traditionally used for throat and mouth conditions. Studies have reported antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity.
• Heart tonic (Hridya): traditionally used as a heart tonic.

What do recent studies show?

• Jabbar AA, Abdullah FO, Hassan AO and others 2022. Ethnobotanical, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Activity of Onosma (Boraginaceae): An Updated Review. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36557820 · doi:10.3390/molecules27248687
  Comprehensive review identifying shikonins and onosmins as the most significant bioactive constituents with potent anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
• Kumar A, Attri S, Kaur S and others 2022. Onosma L. as a source of anticancer agents: phytochemistry to mechanistic insight. Exploration of targeted anti-tumor therapy. PMID 36338520 · doi:10.37349/etat.2022.00109
  Reviewed anticancer potential of Onosma species with mechanistic insights into naphthoquinone-mediated apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest in cancer cells.

Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

• Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (lycopsamine, supindine viridiflorate) in leaves which are hepatotoxic with chronic use; should not be used long-term internally
• External use generally considered safe; internal use should be limited in duration and supervised; contraindicated in liver disease patients

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Swarasa (fresh juice), Churna (powder), Kashayam (decoction), Tablet, Capsule, Lepa (external paste)

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

Optimal Timing: After meals with warm water for respiratory and urinary conditions; traditionally used as a component in compound formulations rather than standalone

Storage: Airtight containers below 25 deg C, protected from moisture and light. Label must carry appropriate PA-related warnings if applicable to jurisdiction.

Marker Compounds: Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA content - SAFETY MONITORING, must be below limits), Anchusine (naphthoquinone), Onosmin, Beta-sitosterol, Flavonoids, Mucilage content

Synergistic Combinations

• With Vasa (Adhatoda) for respiratory and bronchial conditions
• With Yashtimadhu for demulcent and anti-tussive synergy
• With Behman (Centaurea behen) for cardiac tonic combination (Unani use)
• With Khatmi (Althaea) for soothing urinary tract conditions