Gorakhmundi
Sphaeranthus indicus L.
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.
| 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 |
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?
- Anti-obesity and 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. 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; 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, and essential oil. Sesquiterpene lactones have moderate oral bioavailability (20-35%) with good GI absorption but hepatic first-pass metabolism. Flavonoid 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 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.
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, Beta-eudesmol, Quercetin, 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 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.
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 studies11
- 2026. Phytol from Sphaeranthus indicus: A Natural Insecticide Against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatusActa parasitologica. PMID 41670844 · doi:10.1007/s11686-026-01219-y
- 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
- 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
- 2012. Sphaeranthus indicus flower derived constituents exhibits synergistic effect against acetylcholinesterase and possess potential antiamnestic activityJournal of complementary & integrative medicine. PMID 23023564 · doi:10.1515/1553-3840.1618
- 2011. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of ethanolic extract of Sphaeranthus indicus LinnPakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences. PMID 21715276
- 2011. Sphaeranthus indicus attenuates testosterone induced prostatic hypertrophy in albino ratsPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 21503998 · doi:10.1002/ptr.3497
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