Gorakhmundi
Sphaeranthus indicus L.
Gorakhmundi (Sphaeranthus indicus L.) is a plant drug, also called Mundi and Gorakhamumdi, from the Asteraceae (Compositae) family. Included in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; Meratrim formulation has undergone formal regulatory toxicological evaluation; no standalone WHO monograph.
| Botanical name | Sphaeranthus indicus L. |
|---|---|
| Family | Asteraceae (Compositae) · other entries in this family |
| Order | Asterales |
| Pharmacopoeia status | Included in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; Meratrim formulation has undergone formal regulatory toxicological evaluation; no standalone WHO monograph |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 8302135 · Wikidata Q15231437 · NCBI Taxonomy 1205786 |
| Sanskrit | मुण्डी (muṇḍī) |
|---|---|
| Hindi | गोरखमुंडी (gorakhamuṃḍī) |
| Tamil | கொட்டைக்கரந்தை |
Sources: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I Vol III, monograph 58 MUṆḌĪTIKĀ (leaf of Sphaeranthus indicus Linn.), Sanskrit: Muṇḍī, Śrāvaṇī, Kadamba, Puṣpikā, Alambusta; Flowers of India gives Sanskrit महामुंडी, तपस्विनी in Devanagari; DSAL / Madras Tamil Lexicon s.v. koṭṭai-k-karantai: 'Indian globe-thistle. See விஷ்ணுக்கரந்தை. (M. M. 910.)'; Flowers of India (Sphaeranthus indicus): 'Tamil: சிவகரந்தை (Sivakarantai), கொட்டை கரந்தை (Kottai Karantai)'; API Part I Vol III monograph 58 gives 'Kottakarthai'; Flowers of India (Sphaeranthus indicus) in Devanagari: 'Hindi: Chhagul-nudi, गोरखमुंडी (Gorakhmundi)'; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India Part I Vol III, monograph 58 MUṆḌĪTIKĀ (leaf of Sphaeranthus indicus Linn.) lists Gorakhmundi under Gujarati and Punjabi, with Hindi: Mundi.. How we source.
The evidence at a glance
12papers on this site for this drug, published 2011 to 2025, 11 with a DOI.
- 2Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
- 1Other clinical studies and reviews
- 9Laboratory and animal studies
A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.
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/Neuroleptic: Sphaeranthine modulates GABAergic and serotonergic neurotransmission, reducing anxiety-like behavior in animal models
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.
- Traditionally used as an anti-obesity and hypolipidemic herb. Clinical studies have reported weight loss and improved lipid parameters.
- Traditionally used as an anxiolytic. Animal studies have reported anxiolytic activity involving GABAergic neurotransmission in elevated plus maze and open field test models.
- Traditionally used as an anti-diabetic herb (Prameha-hara). Animal studies have reported antihyperglycemic activity and reduced insulin resistance in a glucocorticoid-induced diabetes model.
What do recent studies 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. Foods (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 39335940 · doi: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. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association. PMID 25680508 · doi:10.1016/j.fct.2015.02.010
LD50 > 5000 mg/kg (acute oral) and > 2000 mg/kg (dermal); non-mutagenic in genotoxicity studies.
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
- 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
Optimal Timing: Before meals with warm water for metabolic and anti-inflammatory effects; fresh juice on empty stomach in the morning
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, Beta-eudesmol, Quercetin, Eudesmanolides
Synergistic Combinations
- With Guduchi for immune-modulation and anti-inflammatory synergy
- With Ashwagandha for adaptogenic and anti-stress combination
- With Punarnava for anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective action
- With Haridra for comprehensive anti-inflammatory formulation
- With Bala for neuromuscular and tonic effects
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses2
- 2020. Effectiveness of herbal medicines for weight loss: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsDiabetes, obesity & metabolism. PMID 31984610 · doi:10.1111/dom.13973
- 2019. Herbal medicines for suppressing appetite: A systematic review of randomized clinical trialsComplementary therapies in medicine. PMID 31126562 · doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2019.04.019
Other clinical studies and reviews1
- 2013. Review on Sphaeranthus indicus Linn. (Koṭṭaikkarantai)Pharmacognosy reviews. PMID 24347924 · doi:10.4103/0973-7847.120517
Laboratory and animal studies9
- 2025. Phytochemical and nanoparticle-based therapeutic potential of Sphaeranthus indicus against hepatocellular carcinoma via cryptomeridiol targetingFrontiers in oncology. PMID 41323392 · doi:10.3389/fonc.2025.1691905
- 2024. The Herbal Blend of Sphaeranthus indicus and Garcinia mangostana Reduces Adiposity in High-Fat Diet Obese MiceFoods (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 39335940 · doi:10.3390/foods13183013
- 2024. Antimicrobial efficacy of extracts obtained from aerial part, leaves, and flowers of Sphaeranthus indicus on different periodontal pathogens: An in vitro studyJournal of Indian Society of Periodontology. PMID 40134391 · doi:10.4103/jisp.jisp_397_23
- 2023. A proprietary blend of Sphaeranthus indicus flower head and Mangifera indica bark extracts increases muscle strength and enhances endurance in young male volunteers: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trialFood & nutrition research. PMID 36794013 · doi:10.29219/fnr.v67.8972
- 2017. Four new Sesquiterpenoids from Sphaeranthus indicusNatural product research. PMID 28412842 · doi:10.1080/14786419.2017.1315576
- 2015. Safety and toxicological evaluation of Meratrim®: an herbal formulation for weight managementFood and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association. PMID 25680508 · doi:10.1016/j.fct.2015.02.010
- 2013. Sphaeranthus indicus induces apoptosis through mitochondrial-dependent pathway in HL-60 cells and exerts cytotoxic potential on several human cancer cell linesIntegrative cancer therapies. PMID 22914874 · doi:10.1177/1534735412451997
- 2012. Larvicidal efficacy of Sphaeranthus indicus, Cleistanthus collinus and Murraya koenigii leaf extracts against filarial vector, Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae)Parasitology research. PMID 22562235 · doi:10.1007/s00436-012-2927-5
- 2011. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of ethanolic extract of Sphaeranthus indicus LinnPakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences. PMID 21715276
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.
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