Himsra

Capparis spinosa L.

Himsra (Capparis spinosa L.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Capparaceae family. (Capparaceae): A Scoping Review of Phytochemistry, Ethnopharmacology and Pharmacological Activities](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41011598/). Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). Yousefi E, Abedi M, Aghajanzadeh TA and others 2025.

Key facts
Botanical name	Capparis spinosa L.
Family	Capparaceae · other entries in this family
Order	Brassicales
Pharmacopoeia status	Not in WHO monographs as standalone; key ingredient in Liv.52 (Himalaya), which has undergone extensive clinical evaluation; recognized in traditional medicine systems of Mediterranean, Middle East, and Indian subcontinent
Taxon identifiers	GBIF 6370689 · Wikidata Q156251 · NCBI Taxonomy 65558

Names and identification

Language	Name
English	Himsra
Latin/Botanical	Capparis spinosa L.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

Glucocapparin (major aliphatic glucosinolate)
Rutin and quercetin (flavonoids)
Spermidine alkaloids (in roots)
Indole-3-acetonitrile (indole alkaloid)
Stachydrine (proline betaine)
Tocopherols and carotenoids

How does it work?

Hepatoprotective activity via rutin and quercetin-mediated antioxidant protection and anti-inflammatory action - key ingredient in Liv.52 formulation
Antidiabetic effect through reduction of fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and triglycerides (clinically validated at 400 mg TID for 2 months)
Anti-inflammatory mechanism via glucosinolate-derived isothiocyanate modulation of NF-kB and MAPK pathways
Neuroprotective activity through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protection of neuronal cells

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

Hepatoprotective (Yakrit-hara) - strongly validated as key ingredient in Liv.52; clinical studies confirm protection against drug-induced and alcoholic liver damage
Antidiabetic (Prameha-hara) - validated through clinical trial showing significant blood glucose and HbA1c reduction
Anti-inflammatory and analgesic (Vedana-sthapana) - confirmed through multiple preclinical anti-inflammatory models
Digestive stimulant (Rochana) - traditional appetizer use validated through clinical observations of improved appetite

What do recent clinical trials show?

Alsharif B, Boylan F 2025. Capparis L. (Capparaceae): A Scoping Review of Phytochemistry, Ethnopharmacology and Pharmacological Activities. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 41011598 · doi:10.3390/molecules30183705
Scoping review covering the entire genus documenting the diversity of bioactive compounds and their validated pharmacological activities including antidiabetic and anticancer potential.
Yousefi E, Abedi M, Aghajanzadeh TA and others 2025. Caper bush (Capparis spinosa L.) bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity as affected by adaptation to harsh soils. Scientific reports. PMID 40195406 · doi:10.1038/s41598-025-97298-4
Demonstrated that caper plants adapted to harsh soil conditions maintain high levels of bioactive compounds including glucosinolates, phenolics, and flavonoids with strong antioxidant capacity.

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

Generally recognized as safe for culinary and medicinal use; clinical trial at 400 mg TID for 2 months showed no adverse effects on liver or kidney function
May cause allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals from fresh plant sap; excessive consumption of raw buds may cause bloating

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

Rutin
Quercetin
Flavonoids
Spermidine
Alkaloids
Stachydrine
Betaine
Tocopherols

Analytical Methods: HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Tablet, Capsule, Kashayam (decoction), Syrup, Standardized extract

Standard Dosage: 3-6g powder twice daily; 250-500mg extract twice daily; 15-30ml decoction

Bioavailability: Capparis spinosa (caper bush) contains flavonoids (rutin, quercetin) and alkaloids (stachydrine) with moderate oral bioavailability. Rutin bioavailability is enhanced when deglycosylated to quercetin by gut microbiota. Stachydrine shows good water solubility and absorption. Lipid-based formulations may enhance flavonoid absorption.

Optimal Timing: Before meals with water for hepatoprotective action; twice daily for chronic liver support

Standardized Extract: Hydroalcoholic extract (1:4 drug-extract ratio) standardized to minimum 0.5% rutin and 0.1% stachydrine; aqueous extract as used in classical Ayurvedic liver formulations

Shelf Life: 2 years (powder); 3 years (standardized extract tablet/capsule); 2 years (syrup)

Storage: Cool, dry place below 25°C, protected from light. Flavonoids degrade in light; amber containers recommended.

Marker Compounds: Rutin, Quercetin, Stachydrine, p-Methoxy benzoic acid, Kaempferol, Beta-sitosterol

Extraction Methods

Hydroalcoholic extraction (70:30 ethanol:water)
Aqueous extraction
Standardized aqueous-ethanolic extract (used in Liv.52 formulation)
Supercritical CO2 for alkaloid-rich fraction

Synergistic Combinations

With Kasani (Cichorium) for hepatoprotective synergy (as in Liv.52)
With Bhringaraj for liver regeneration
With Katuki (Picrorhiza) for cholagogue activity
With Kalmegh for hepatic protection

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 reviews3

Alsharif B, Boylan F. 2025. Capparis L. (Capparaceae): A Scoping Review of Phytochemistry, Ethnopharmacology and Pharmacological ActivitiesMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 41011598 · doi:10.3390/molecules30183705
Zhang H, Ma ZF. 2018. Phytochemical and Pharmacological Properties of Capparis spinosa as a Medicinal PlantNutrients. PMID 29364841 · doi:10.3390/nu10020116
Vahid H, Rakhshandeh H, Ghorbani A. 2017. Antidiabetic properties of Capparis spinosa L. and its componentsBiomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie. PMID 28551550 · doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2017.05.082

Laboratory and animal studies9

Yousefi E, Abedi M, Aghajanzadeh TA and others. 2025. Caper bush (Capparis spinosa L.) bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity as affected by adaptation to harsh soilsScientific reports. PMID 40195406 · doi:10.1038/s41598-025-97298-4
Karimzadeh S, Safaie N, Mojerlou S and others. 2025. Identity and diversity of culturable endophytic fungi associated with Capparis spinosa L. in IranScientific reports. PMID 41285821 · doi:10.1038/s41598-025-25257-0
Sun Y, Chen Q, Dang R and others. 2024. Skin irritation assessment and potential mechanism of Capparis spinosa L. fruitsJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 38030023 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2023.117510
Zahedi Y, Shaddel R, Salamatian M and others. 2024. Nanoliposomal Encapsulation of Capparis spinosa Extract and Its Application in Jelly FormulationMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 38930869 · doi:10.3390/molecules29122804
Isagaliev M, Abakumov E, Turdaliev A and others. 2022. Capparis spinosa L. Cenopopulation and Biogeochemistry in South UzbekistanPlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 35807579 · doi:10.3390/plants11131628
Nazer MR, Jahanbakhsh S, Ebrahimi K and others. 2021. Cytotoxic and Antileishmanial Effects of Various Extracts of Capparis spinosa LTurkish journal of pharmaceutical sciences. PMID 33900699 · doi:10.4274/tjps.galenos.2020.87259
El Amri N, Errachidi F, Bour A and others. 2019. Morphological and Nutritional Properties of Moroccan Capparis spinosa SeedsTheScientificWorldJournal. PMID 31178668 · doi:10.1155/2019/8594820
Wojdyło A, Nowicka P, Grimalt M and others. 2019. Polyphenol Compounds and Biological Activity of Caper (Capparis spinosa L.) Flowers BudsPlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 31775254 · doi:10.3390/plants8120539
Moghadamnia Y, Mousavi Kani SN, Ghasemi-Kasman M and others. 2019. The Anti-cancer Effects of Capparis spinosa Hydroalcoholic ExtractAvicenna journal of medical biotechnology. PMID 30800242

Cite this page. Age Ayurveda. “Himsra.” Age Ayurveda Nighantu. Last reviewed 18 September 2026. https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/himsra/
Machine-readable source: Markdown. Reviewed 2026-09-18.

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