Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Kamala

Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.

Kamala (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Nelumbo nucifera is listed in WHO traditional medicine references and multiple Asian pharmacopoeias including Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Indian Pharmacopoeia, and Japanese Pharmacopoeia.

Key facts
Botanical nameNelumbo nucifera Gaertn.
FamilyNelumbonaceae · other entries in this family
OrderProteales
Pharmacopoeia statusNelumbo nucifera is listed in WHO traditional medicine references and multiple Asian pharmacopoeias including Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Indian Pharmacopoeia, and Japanese Pharmacopoeia. GRAS food status supports topical safety. CIR safety review completed 2025.
Taxon identifiersGBIF 2882449 · Wikidata Q16528 · NCBI Taxonomy 4432

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishKamala
Latin/BotanicalNelumbo nucifera Gaertn.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

How does it work?

  • Neferine anti-photoaging through UVB mitochondrial protection: Neferine inhibits UVB-induced oxidative stress-mediated autophagy and mitochondrial dysfunction, providing robust photoprotective activity for skin cells
  • Flavonoid tyrosinase and collagenase dual inhibition: Kaempferol derivatives and quercetin glucuronide simultaneously inhibit tyrosinase (reducing melanin synthesis) and MMP-1/MMP-3 collagenase (preventing collagen breakdown), providing combined brightening and anti-aging effects
  • NF-kB and MAPK anti-inflammatory signaling: Lotus flavonoids and alkaloids modulate NF-kB, MAPK, and COX-2 pathways, suppressing TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, NO, and PGE2 production for anti-inflammatory skin protection
  • Liensinine and isoliensinine MMP-3 inhibition: Molecular dynamics studies identified liensinine and isoliensinine as potent MMP-3 inhibitors, preventing extracellular matrix degradation and maintaining skin structural integrity

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Skin brightening and complexion (Varnya): Validated by clinical trial showing significant whitening effect in 21 volunteers with lotus callus extract cosmetics
  • Anti-aging and skin rejuvenation: Validated by in silico and in vitro studies identifying kaempferol-3-O-robinobioside as potent inhibitor of skin aging enzymes
  • Anti-inflammatory skin soothing (Pitta-shamana): Validated by demonstrated NF-kB, MAPK, and COX-2 modulation reducing inflammatory mediators in skin

What do recent clinical trials show?

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
  • Quercetin
  • Anthocyanins

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

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

Bioavailability: Nelumbo nucifera (sacred lotus) contains alkaloids (nuciferine, liensinine, neferine), flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin glycosides), and megastigmanes. Nuciferine has moderate oral bioavailability (~20-30%) with good lipophilicity (logP 3.2) and crosses blood-brain barrier. Neferine has ~35% oral bioavailability in animal models. Liensinine shows variable absorption. Seed contains resistant starch acting as prebiotic. Different plant parts have distinctly different phytochemistry and applications.

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

Standardized Extract: Leaf extract standardized to 2% nuciferine (weight management applications); seed extract standardized to 1% neferine (cardiac applications); flower extract standardized to 5% total flavonoids (antioxidant applications); stamen extract per traditional methods

Shelf Life: 2 years (flower/leaf/seed powder); 3 years (standardized extract capsule/tablet); 1 year (fresh rhizome); 2 years (dried rhizome)

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

Extraction Methods

  • Hydroalcoholic extraction of leaves/flowers (70:30) for alkaloid and flavonoid fraction
  • Aqueous extraction of rhizome (starch-rich)
  • Seed protein and starch extraction
  • Ethanol extraction of stamens for flavonoid-enriched extract
  • CO2 supercritical extraction for alkaloid-enriched fraction
  • Cold pressing of seeds for oil

Synergistic Combinations

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

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

  1. Huang M, Cople-Rodrigues CDS, Waitzberg DL and others. 2023. Changes in the Gut Microbiota after the Use of Herbal Medicines in Overweight and Obese Individuals: A Systematic ReviewNutrients. PMID 37432344 · doi:10.3390/nu15092203

Randomised controlled trials1

  1. Ye L, Wang X, Konno T and others. 2022. Fat reducing effects of Nelumbo nucifera leaf extract in overweight patientsNatural product research. PMID 34852695 · doi:10.1080/14786419.2021.2010196

Other clinical studies and reviews10

  1. Zhao D, Ma L, Brownlie J and others. 2025. Neuroprotective Potential of Major Alkaloids from Nelumbo nucifera (Lotus): Mechanisms and Therapeutic ImplicationsInternational journal of molecular sciences. PMID 40943200 · doi:10.3390/ijms26178280
  2. Liu H, Wang S, Qiu K and others. 2024. Preparation, structural characterization, and biological activities of lotus polysaccharides: A reviewInternational journal of biological macromolecules. PMID 39216588 · doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.135191
  3. Ren X, Chen H, Wang H and others. 2024. Advances in the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of Nelumbo nucifera gaertn. Extract nuciferineJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 38670406 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2024.118262
  4. Wang Z, Li Y, Ma D and others. 2023. Alkaloids from lotus (Nelumbo nucifera): recent advances in biosynthesis, pharmacokinetics, bioactivity, safety, and industrial applicationsCritical reviews in food science and nutrition. PMID 34845950 · doi:10.1080/10408398.2021.2009436
  5. Zhao T, Zhu Y, Zhao R and others. 2023. Structure-activity relationship, bioactivities, molecular mechanisms, and clinical application of nuciferine on inflammation-related diseasesPharmacological research. PMID 37315822 · doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106820
  6. Chen S, Li X, Wu J and others. 2021. Plumula Nelumbinis: A review of traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and safetyJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 33011369 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2020.113429
  7. Manogaran P, Beeraka NM, Padma VV. 2019. The Cytoprotective and Anti-cancer Potential of Bisbenzylisoquinoline Alkaloids from Nelumbo nuciferaCurrent topics in medicinal chemistry. PMID 31738137 · doi:10.2174/1568026619666191116160908
  8. Zhang N, Lian Z, Peng X and others. 2017. Applications of Higenamine in pharmacology and medicineJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 28007527 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2016.12.033
  9. Jadoon S, Karim S, Bin Asad MH and others. 2015. Anti-Aging Potential of Phytoextract Loaded-Pharmaceutical Creams for Human Skin Cell LongetivityOxidative medicine and cellular longevity. PMID 26448818 · doi:10.1155/2015/709628
  10. Mukherjee PK, Mukherjee D, Maji AK and others. 2009. The sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) - phytochemical and therapeutic profileThe Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology. PMID 19298686 · doi:10.1211/jpp/61.04.0001

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