Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Jalavetasa

Vallisneria spiralis L. (aquatic medicinal plant grouped under Jalaj Aushadhi)

Jalavetasa (Vallisneria spiralis L. (aquatic medicinal plant grouped under Jalaj Aushadhi)) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Hydrocharitaceae family. Not listed in WHO monographs; very limited formal recognition in pharmacopeias; referenced under 'Jalaj Aushadhi' (water-born medicines) category in older Ayurvedic texts like Vrikshayurveda.

Key facts
Botanical nameVallisneria spiralis L. (aquatic medicinal plant grouped under Jalaj Aushadhi)
FamilyHydrocharitaceae
OrderAlismatales
Pharmacopoeia statusNot listed in WHO monographs; very limited formal recognition in pharmacopeias; referenced under 'Jalaj Aushadhi' (water-born medicines) category in older Ayurvedic texts like Vrikshayurveda
Taxon identifiersGBIF 2865526 · Wikidata Q159160 · NCBI Taxonomy 55324

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishJalavetasa
Latin/BotanicalVallisneria spiralis L. (aquatic medicinal plant grouped under Jalaj Aushadhi)

Key Phytochemical Constituents

How does it work?

  • Demulcent action through mucilaginous polysaccharide coating of inflamed mucosal surfaces in throat, gut, and urinary tract
  • Mild diuretic effect through flavonoid-mediated modulation of renal tubular function
  • Anti-inflammatory mechanism via quercetin-mediated inhibition of inflammatory mediators in local tissues

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Cooling and demulcent (Sheeta Virya) - supported by mucilaginous polysaccharide content providing soothing properties
  • Mild diuretic (Mutrala) - partially supported by traditional reports from Kerala healers; limited scientific validation
  • Skin soothing (Tvak Doshahara) - traditional topical use supported by anti-inflammatory flavonoid content

What do recent clinical trials show?

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

Recent safety updates

  • Very limited pharmacological and toxicological data available; considered relatively safe based on traditional use as food and medicine in aquatic-rich regions
  • May accumulate heavy metals from contaminated water bodies; sourcing from clean water environments is essential for safety

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

  • Polysaccharides
  • Flavonoids
  • Quercetin
  • Chlorophyll
  • Mucilaginous
  • Trace minerals
  • Cellulose and hemicellulose

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

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kashayam (decoction), Capsule

Standard Dosage: 3-6g powder twice daily; 50-100ml decoction

Bioavailability: Limited modern pharmacokinetic data. Salix caprea (goat willow) bark contains salicin (a prodrug of salicylic acid) with well-characterized bioavailability. Salicin is hydrolyzed to saligenin in the GI tract and oxidized to salicylic acid in the liver with overall bioavailability of ~80% for the active salicylic acid metabolite. Slower onset but longer duration compared to synthetic aspirin.

Optimal Timing: After meals with warm water to reduce gastric irritation; for pain relief, as needed up to 3 times daily

Standardized Extract: Bark extract standardized to 15-25% salicin (European standard for Salix preparations); aqueous extract per traditional Kashayam method

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

Storage: Cool, dry place below 25°C, protected from moisture. Bark powder in airtight containers.

Marker Compounds: Salicin, Salicortin, Tremulacin, Catechin, Flavonoids

Extraction Methods

  • Aqueous decoction (bark)
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (70:30 ethanol:water) for salicin-enriched extract
  • Dried aqueous extract (spray-dried)

Synergistic Combinations

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.

Laboratory and animal studies12

  1. Sui M, Yu J, Dong Y and others. 2025. Sediment-based biochar enhances growth, physiological and phytochemical properties of submerged plant Vallisneria spiralis via improving rhizosphere micro-ecological environmentJournal of environmental management. PMID 40408871 · doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.125811
  2. Chen X, Liu L, Wang Y and others. 2024. The combined effects of lanthanum-modified bentonite and Vallisneria spiralis on phosphorus, dissolved organic matter, and heavy metal(loid)sThe Science of the total environment. PMID 38301791 · doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170502
  3. Waykar R, Kumarapillai S. 2024. Cytotoxicity and molecular docking analysis of phytochemicals from Vallisneria spiralis with protein target 3CZH in breast cancer managementBioinformation. PMID 40230925 · doi:10.6026/9732063002002062
  4. Jarić S, Karadžić B, Paunović M and others. 2024. Relationship between potentially toxic elements and macrophyte communities in the Sava riverHeliyon. PMID 39144995 · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34994
  5. Saqira S, Chariton A, Hose GC. 2024. Multiple stressors unpredictably affect primary producers and decomposition in a model freshwater ecosystemEnvironmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987). PMID 38467363 · doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123680
  6. Yan W, He X, Wu T and others. 2023. A combined study on Vallisneria spiralis and lanthanum modified bentonite to immobilize arsenic in sedimentsEnvironmental research. PMID 36323350 · doi:10.1016/j.envres.2022.114689
  7. Wang R, Zhu J, Li B and others. 2023. Effects of attapulgite on the growth status of submerged macrophytes Vallisneria spiralis and sediment microenvironmentJournal of environmental management. PMID 37384996 · doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118496
  8. Bai G, Luo F, Zou Y and others. 2022. Effects of vermiculite on the growth process of submerged macrophyte Vallisneria spiralis and sediment microecological environmentJournal of environmental sciences (China). PMID 35305761 · doi:10.1016/j.jes.2021.08.038
  9. Tang X, Steinman AD, Xue Q and others. 2022. Simultaneous electrochemical removal of Microcystis aeruginosa and sulfamethoxazole and its ecologic impacts on Vallisneria spiralisThe Science of the total environment. PMID 34990666 · doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152769
  10. Li C, Ding S, Chen M and others. 2022. Mechanistic insights into trace metal mobilization at the micro-scale in the rhizosphere of Vallisneria spiralisThe Science of the total environment. PMID 34606867 · doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150735
  11. Han F, Zhang Y, Liu Z and others. 2020. Effects of maifanite on growth, physiological and phytochemical process of submerged macrophytes Vallisneria spiralisEcotoxicology and environmental safety. PMID 31761555 · doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.109941
  12. Dai Y, Wu J, Ma X and others. 2017. Increasing phytoplankton-available phosphorus and inhibition of macrophyte on phytoplankton bloomThe Science of the total environment. PMID 27884524 · doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.11.002

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