# Jambu

> Jambu (Syzygium cumini) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Ellagic acid has poor oral bioavailability (~1-2%) due to low solubility; metabolized by gut microbiota to urolithins which are well absorbed. Anthocyanins in fruit pulp have ~1-2% bioavailability.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Syzygium cumini

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Jambu |

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

| Property | Value | Description |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| **Rasa** (Taste) | Kashaya, Madhura | Primary taste |
| **Guna** (Quality) | Laghu, Ruksha | Physical quality |
| **Virya** (Potency) | Sheeta | Heating/Cooling effect |
| **Vipaka** (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (seed powder), Tablet, Capsule, Kashayam (bark decoction), Asava/Arishta (fermented preparation), Swarasa (fruit juice)

**Standard Dosage:** 3-6g seed powder twice daily; 500mg-1g extract; 50-100ml bark decoction; 20-40ml fruit juice

**Bioavailability:** Syzygium cumini (Java plum) seed contains mycaminose, [jamboline](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#jamboline), and ellagic acid. Ellagic acid has poor oral bioavailability (~1-2%) due to low solubility; metabolized by gut microbiota to urolithins which are well absorbed. [Anthocyanins](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#anthocyanins) in fruit pulp have ~1-2% bioavailability. Seed extract hypoglycemic components (jamboline) show moderate absorption. Nanoparticle formulations of seed extract show enhanced bioavailability.

**Optimal Timing:** Before meals for blood sugar support; seed powder with water 30 minutes before meals

**Standardized Extract:** Seed aqueous extract standardized to 20% [tannins](/reference/tannins/) (as gallic acid equivalent); hydroalcoholic seed extract standardized to 1% ellagic acid and 10% total [polyphenols](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#polyphenols)

**Shelf Life:** 2 years (seed powder); 3 years (standardized extract capsule/tablet); 6 months (fruit juice, preserved)

**Storage:** Cool, dry place below 25°C. Seed powder in airtight containers. Fruit juice refrigerated.

**Marker Compounds:** Ellagic acid, Gallic acid, Jamboline, Mycaminose, Delphinidin-3,5-diglucoside (fruit), Beta-[sitosterol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sitosterol), Oleanolic acid

### Extraction Methods

- Aqueous extraction of seeds (traditional)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (70% ethanol) of seeds
- Cold pressing of fruit for juice/pulp
- Ethyl acetate extraction for ellagic acid enrichment
- Spray-drying of aqueous extract for stable powder

### Synergistic Combinations

- With [Karela](/herb/karela/) ([bitter gourd](/herb/bitter-gourd/)) for blood sugar management
- With [Gudmar](/herb/gudmar/) (Gymnema) for anti-diabetic synergy
- With Amalaki for [antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/) enhancement
- With [Haridra](/herb/haridra/) for metabolic syndrome support

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

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- 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.