Jivaka
Malaxis acuminata D. Don
Jivaka (Malaxis acuminata D. Don) is a plant drug, from the Orchidaceae family. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India identifies Jivaka as Malaxis acuminata and its Ashtavarga pair Rishabhaka as Malaxis muscifera; some research papers swap the two. Not listed in WHO monographs; classified as endangered/critically endangered in IUCN categories; conservation priority species in Himalayan biodiversity programs.
| Botanical name | Malaxis acuminata D. Don |
|---|---|
| Currently accepted name | Crepidium acuminatum (D.Don) Szlach., the name above is treated as a synonym by GBIF; both are in use |
| Family | Orchidaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Asparagales |
| Pharmacopoeia status | Not listed in WHO monographs; classified as endangered/critically endangered in IUCN categories; conservation priority species in Himalayan biodiversity programs |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 2808062 · Wikidata Q11148044 · NCBI Taxonomy 421261 |
The evidence at a glance
3papers on this site for this drug, published 2017 to 2024, every one with a DOI.
- 1Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
- 2Laboratory 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 | Jivaka |
| Latin/Botanical | Malaxis acuminata D. Don |
| Family | Orchidaceae |
| Official substitute | Vidari (Pueraria tuberosa) |
Jivaka belongs to the Ashtavarga and is paired with Rishabhaka. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India identifies Jivaka as Malaxis acuminata and Rishabhaka as Malaxis muscifera, with Vidari as the official substitute for both, as tabulated in Virk JK and others 2017, Ashtawarga plants: suffering a triple standardization syndrome, Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. Some research papers assign the two species the other way round.
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Bitter principles (alkaloids)
- Flavonoids
- Glycosides
- Phenolic compounds
- Steroids
- Terpenoids
- Mucilage and polysaccharides
- Minerals (calcium, phosphorus)
How does it work?
- Anti-inflammatory mechanism involving inhibition of pro-inflammatory enzyme pathways (COX-2, 5-LOX) and cytokine production, as demonstrated in recent metabolite profiling studies
- Antioxidant and photoprotective action through free radical scavenging and UV-damage protection, mediated by phenolic and flavonoid constituents
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.
- Traditionally used in topical applications. In vitro enzyme inhibition assays have reported anti-inflammatory and photoprotective activity.
- Traditionally used as a rejuvenating (Rasayana) herb. Antioxidant profiling has reported strong free radical scavenging activity.
- Traditionally used as an Aphrodisiac. Studies on related Ashtavarga species, not on this herb itself, have reported adaptogenic properties.
What do recent studies show?
- Bose B, Choudhury H, Tandon P and others 2017. Studies on secondary metabolite profiling, anti-inflammatory potential, in vitro photoprotective and skin-aging related enzyme inhibitory activities of Malaxis acuminata, a threatened orchid of nutraceutical importance. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology. PMID 28743100 · doi:10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2017.07.010
Demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory potential and photoprotective activity with skin anti-aging enzyme inhibition properties of the metabolite profile.
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
- Traditionally used safely as an Ashtavarga component in Chyawanprash and other classical formulations; no documented toxicity in Ayurvedic literature
- Critically endangered orchid species with severe habitat loss; most commercial products contain substitutes, making safety evaluation of actual Jivaka specimens difficult
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (tuber powder), Kashayam (decoction), Capsule, Avaleha (confection), Chyawanprash ingredient
Standard Dosage: 3-6g tuber powder twice daily; 50-100ml decoction; as per Chyawanprash dosage
Optimal Timing: With warm milk or ghee as Rasayana (rejuvenative tonic); as part of Chyawanprash, 1-2 teaspoons daily
Storage: Cool, dry place below 25°C, protected from moisture (mucilaginous material is hygroscopic). Airtight containers.
Marker Compounds: Glucosides (general profiling), Mucilage polysaccharides, DNA barcode authentication (ITS/matK regions) is primary identification method
Synergistic Combinations
- With Rishabhaka (paired with Jivaka in Ashtavarga)
- With Ashtavarga group herbs for comprehensive Rasayana (rejuvenation)
- With Ashwagandha for strength and vitality
- As ingredient in Chyawanprash formulation
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-analyses1
- 2024. Distribution, Chemical Constituents and Biological Properties of Genus MalaxisChemistry & biodiversity. PMID 38289898 · doi:10.1002/cbdv.202301830
Laboratory and animal studies2
- 2022. De novo transcriptome based insights into secondary metabolite biosynthesis in Malaxis acuminata (Jeevak)-A therapeutically important orchidFrontiers in plant science. PMID 36330257 · doi:10.3389/fpls.2022.954467
- 2017. Studies on secondary metabolite profiling, anti-inflammatory potential, in vitro photoprotective and skin-aging related enzyme inhibitory activities of Malaxis acuminata, a threatened orchid of nutraceutical importanceJournal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology. PMID 28743100 · doi:10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2017.07.010
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.
Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.