Kamala

Names and identification

Language	Name
English	Lotus
Latin/Botanical	Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

• Neferine (bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid - primary bioactive)
• Liensinine (alkaloid)
• Nuciferine (aporphine alkaloid)
• Kaempferol and kaempferol-3-O-robinobioside (flavonoids)
• Quercetin and quercetin-3-glucuronide
• Anthocyanins (cyanidin, delphinidin derivatives)
• Hyperoside (flavonoid glycoside)
• Gallic acid and other polyphenols

How does it work?

• Neferine anti-photoaging through UVB mitochondrial protection: Neferine was reported in cell studies to inhibit UVB-induced oxidative stress-mediated autophagy and mitochondrial dysfunction in skin cells
• Flavonoid tyrosinase and collagenase dual inhibition: Kaempferol derivatives and quercetin glucuronide have been reported in laboratory studies to inhibit tyrosinase (involved in melanin synthesis) and MMP-1/MMP-3 collagenase (involved in collagen breakdown)
• NF-kB and MAPK anti-inflammatory signaling: Lotus flavonoids and alkaloids modulate NF-kB, MAPK, and COX-2 pathways, with reported suppression of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, NO, and PGE2 production
• Liensinine and isoliensinine MMP-3 inhibition: Molecular dynamics studies identified liensinine and isoliensinine as potential MMP-3 inhibitors

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.

• Skin brightening and complexion (Varnya): traditionally used for skin brightening and complexion. A clinical study of cosmetics made with lotus callus extract reported a whitening effect.
• Anti-aging and skin rejuvenation: traditionally used for skin rejuvenation. In silico and in vitro studies reported kaempferol-3-O-robinobioside as an inhibitor of skin aging enzymes.
• Anti-inflammatory skin soothing (Pitta-shamana): traditionally used for soothing the skin. Studies have reported modulation of NF-kB, MAPK, and COX-2, with lower levels of inflammatory mediators in skin.

What do recent studies show?

• Nutho B, Tungmunnithum D 2023. Exploring Major Flavonoid Phytochemicals from Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. as Potential Skin Anti-Aging Agents: In Silico and In Vitro Evaluations. International journal of molecular sciences. PMID 38068894 · doi:10.3390/ijms242316571
  Among seven flavonoids studied, kaempferol-3-O-robinobioside showed the highest docking scores against three skin aging-related enzymes (MMP-1, elastase, tyrosinase), identifying it as the most promising anti-aging candidate from lotus.
• Moon SH, Kim E, Kim HI and others 2023. Skin-Whitening Effect of a Callus Extract of Nelumbo nucifera Isolate Haman. Plants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 38068559 · doi:10.3390/plants12233923
  Clinical trial with 21 volunteers confirmed significant whitening effect of cosmetics containing lotus callus extract, with demonstrated tyrosinase and collagenase inhibition in vitro supporting skin brightening and anti-aging claims.
• Choo JH, Lee SY, Min K and others 2025. Chemical Composition and Bioactivity of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. Flower Extract Fractions: In Vitro Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties. Current issues in molecular biology. PMID 41614829 · doi:10.3390/cimb47121065
  Flower extract fractions demonstrated potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, with stamen extracts showing strongest tyrosinase and collagenase inhibition relevant to anti-aging and skin whitening applications.

Recent safety updates

• Nelumbo nucifera has food-grade safety status globally; all parts (seeds, rhizomes, leaves, flowers) are consumed as food in Asian cuisines. Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) panel assessed lotus-derived ingredients for safety in 2025
• Nuciferine alkaloid may have sedative effects at high oral doses. Topical lotus extracts are generally well-tolerated with no significant adverse effects reported in clinical studies. Standardization of kaempferol content recommended for cosmetic consistency

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

• Neferine
• Liensinine
• Nuciferine
• Kaempferol
• Flavonoids
• Quercetin
• Anthocyanins

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder - flower, seed, root used differently), Capsule, Tablet, Kashayam (decoction), Taila (seed/flower oil), Lepa (paste), Beeja Churna (seed powder)

Standard Dosage: 3-6g flower powder twice daily; 500mg-1g extract; 3-5g seed powder; 50-100ml root decoction

Optimal Timing: Flower preparations: with cool water between meals. Seed: as snack or with milk. Leaf extract: before meals. Root decoction: before meals.

Storage: Cool, dry place below 25°C, protected from light and moisture. Flower preparations particularly sensitive to light and moisture. Seeds in airtight containers. Nitrogen-flushed packaging for standardized extracts.

Marker Compounds: Nuciferine (leaf), Neferine (seed embryo), Liensinine (seed embryo), Isoliensinine, Kaempferol-3-glucoside, Quercetin, Megastigmane glycosides (flower), Nelumboroside A

Synergistic Combinations

• With Ashoka for female reproductive health (flower)
• With Brahmi (leaf/nuciferine)
• With Chandana (sandalwood) for Pitta-pacifying formulations
• With Amalaki for antioxidant synergy