# Gorakhmundi

> Gorakhmundi (Sphaeranthus indicus L.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Asteraceae (Compositae) family. Included in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; Meratrim formulation has undergone formal regulatory toxicological evaluation; no standalone WHO monograph.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Sphaeranthus indicus L.
- **Family:** Asteraceae (Compositae)
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Included in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; Meratrim formulation has undergone formal regulatory toxicological evaluation; no standalone WHO monograph

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Gorakhmundi |
| Latin/Botanical | *Sphaeranthus indicus L.* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- Sphaeranthol (sesquiterpene)
- 7-Hydroxyeudesm-4-en-6,12-olide (eudesmenolide)
- Sphaeranthanolide
- Sphaeranthine (alkaloid)
- Beta-eudesmol
- Ilicic acid
- Indicusene
- Alpha-terpinene

## How does it work?

- Anti-obesity: Inhibits adipogenesis by suppressing PPAR-gamma and C/EBP-alpha transcription factors; promotes lipolysis through AMPK activation in adipocytes
- Anti-inflammatory: Eudesmenolides and sphaeranthol inhibit COX-2, 5-LOX, and suppress pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-alpha, IL-6) production via NF-kB inhibition
- [Anxiolytic](/reference/anxiolytic/)/Neuroleptic: Sphaeranthine modulates GABAergic and serotonergic neurotransmission, reducing anxiety-like behavior in animal models

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Anti-obesity and [hypolipidemic](/glossary/pharmacology/#hypolipidemic) use validated through multiple RCTs showing significant weight loss and improved lipid parameters
- Anxiolytic use confirmed through modulation of GABAergic neurotransmission in elevated plus maze and open field test models
- Anti-diabetic use (Prameha-hara) supported by antihyperglycemic activity and insulin resistance prevention in glucocorticoid-induced diabetes model

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Kang S, Kim H, Bang C and others 2024. [The Herbal Blend of Sphaeranthus indicus and Garcinia mangostana Reduces Adiposity in High-Fat Diet Obese Mice](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39335940/). *Foods (Basel, Switzerland)*. PMID [39335940](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39335940/) · [doi:10.3390/foods13183013](https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13183013)  
  Meratrim (450 mg/kg) significantly reduced body weight and fat mass without affecting food consumption in C57BL/6NTac mice on high-fat diet.
- Saiyed ZM, Sengupta K, Krishnaraju AV and others 2015. [Safety and toxicological evaluation of Meratrim®: an herbal formulation for weight management](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25680508/). *Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association*. PMID [25680508](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25680508/) · [doi:10.1016/j.fct.2015.02.010](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2015.02.010)  
  LD50 > 5000 mg/kg (acute oral) and > 2000 mg/kg (dermal); non-mutagenic in genotoxicity studies; confirmed safe for weight management applications.

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

## Recent safety updates

- Well-tolerated in clinical trials; LD50 > 5000 mg/kg (acute oral); non-mutagenic; most common side effect is mild GI discomfort (>5% of participants)
- Contraindicated in pregnancy due to lack of safety data; limited data for children, elderly, and patients with severe comorbidities; headache and dizziness reported uncommonly (1-5%)

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (whole plant powder), Kashayam (decoction), Swarasa (fresh juice), Tablet, Capsule, Taila (medicated oil for external use)

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

**Bioavailability:** Sphaeranthus indicus (Gorakhmundi) contains sesquiterpene lactones (7-alpha-hydroxyeudesmanolide, sphaeranthanolide), [flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/), and essential oil. Sesquiterpene lactones have moderate oral bioavailability (20-35%) with good GI absorption but hepatic first-pass metabolism. Flavonoid [glycosides](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#glycosides) show typical moderate bioavailability (15-25%). The essential oil fraction (eudesmanolides) is well absorbed but rapidly metabolized. Fresh juice provides labile constituents. Enhancement: lipid-based delivery systems for sesquiterpene lactones; phospholipid complexation; co-administration with [piperine](/reference/piperine/) for CYP inhibition.

**Optimal Timing:** Before meals with warm water for metabolic and anti-inflammatory effects; fresh juice on empty stomach in the morning

**Standardized Extract:** Hydroalcoholic extract standardized to NLT 3% total sesquiterpene lactones (as 7-alpha-hydroxyeudesmanolide) by HPLC. Extract ratio 10:1. Also available: standardized to NLT 15% total [polyphenols](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#polyphenols).

**Shelf Life:** Fresh juice: use within 6 hours; 2 years (powder); 2.5 years (tablet/capsule); 2 years (Taila)

**Storage:** Dried herb and powder: airtight, light-resistant containers below 25 deg C. Protect from moisture. Sesquiterpene lactones are relatively stable when protected from light and heat.

**Marker Compounds:** 7-Alpha-hydroxyeudesmanolide, Sphaeranthanolide, Sphaeranthol, Cryptomeridiol, [Stigmasterol](/reference/stigmasterol/), Beta-eudesmol, [Quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/), Eudesmanolides

### Extraction Methods

- Fresh plant juice expression (Swarasa)
- Aqueous decoction (whole plant)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (70:30 ethanol:water)
- Supercritical CO2 for sesquiterpene-enriched fraction
- Steam distillation for essential oil

### Synergistic Combinations

- With [Guduchi](/herb/guduchi/) for immune-modulation and anti-inflammatory synergy
- With [Ashwagandha](/herb/ashwagandha/) for [adaptogenic](/reference/adaptogenic/) and anti-stress combination
- With [Punarnava](/herb/punarnava/) for anti-inflammatory and [hepatoprotective](/reference/hepatoprotective/) action
- With [Haridra](/herb/haridra/) for comprehensive anti-inflammatory formulation
- With [Bala](/herb/bala/) for neuromuscular and tonic effects

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

## 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.