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Kamalakanda

Nelumbo nucifera

Kamalakanda (Nelumbo nucifera) is a plant drug, also called Kamalam, Padmakanda and Saluka. Co-administration with long pepper or ginger enhances absorption. Nanoparticle encapsulation improves delivery of aporphine alkaloids. Powder is hygroscopic and must be protected from humidity (RH < 55%).

Key facts
Botanical nameNelumbo nucifera
FamilyNelumbonaceae · other entries in this family
OrderProteales
Taxon identifiersGBIF 2882449 · Wikidata Q16528 · NCBI Taxonomy 4432
Names in other languages
Sanskritकमलम् (kamalam), पद्मकन्द (padmakanda), शालूक (śālūka)
Hindiकमल (kamala), कमल ककड़ी (kamala kakaṛī)
Tamilதாமரை, தாமரைக் கிழங்கு

Sources: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, KAMALA (rhizome of Nelumbo nucifera), Hindi slot "Kamal Kand, Kamal Kakdi"; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, KAMALA (rhizome of Nelumbo nucifera), Sanskrit slot "Padnakanda, Saluka, Ambhoruha"; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, KAMALA (rhizome of Nelumbo nucifera), Tamil slot "Tamardi Kizangu"; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, KAMALA (rhizome of Nelumbo nucifera), Tamil slot "Tamardi Kizangu"; KAMALA (flowers), Tamil "Tamarai".; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, KAMALA monograph (dried rhizome with roots of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.), Hindi slot "Kamal Kand, Kamal Kakdi" (api-all.txt line 42286 ff.).; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, KAMALA monograph (dried rhizome with roots of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.), Sanskrit slot "Padnakanda, Saluka, Ambhoruha" (api-all.txt line 42286 ff.; 'Padnakanda' is an OCR slip for Padmakanda); Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, monograph headed KAMALA for Nelumbo nucifera; Names of Plants in India:: Nelumbo nucifera, Sanskrit "कमलम् Kamalam".. How we source.

The evidence at a glance

12papers on this site for this drug, published 2022 to 2025, every one with a DOI.

  • 1Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
  • 1Randomised controlled trials
  • 10Other clinical studies and reviews

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

LanguageName
EnglishKamalakanda

Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

PropertyValueDescription
Rasa (Taste)Madhura, KashayaPrimary taste
Guna (Quality)Guru, SnigdhaPhysical quality
Virya (Potency)SheetaHeating/Cooling effect
Vipaka (Post-digestive)MadhuraPost-digestive effect

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kashayam (decoction), Kalka (paste), Capsule, Swarasa (fresh juice)

Standard Dosage: 3-6 g of powder twice daily; 10-20 mL fresh juice once daily; 50-100 mL decoction twice daily

Optimal Timing: Before meals on empty stomach for maximum alkaloid absorption; with meals for digestive applications

Storage: Store in cool, dry place at 15-25°C in moisture-proof containers. Powder is hygroscopic and must be protected from humidity (RH < 55%).

Marker Compounds: Nuciferine, Neferine, Liensinine, Isoliensinine, Armepavine, Starch polysaccharides

Synergistic Combinations

  • Musta (Cyperus rotundus), traditionally combined to support digestion
  • Vacha (Acorus calamus) for cognitive enhancement
  • Sariva for blood purification
  • Padmaka for cardiac support

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. Yang H, He S, Feng Q and others. 2024. Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera): a multidisciplinary review of its cultural, ecological, and nutraceutical significanceBioresources and bioprocessing. PMID 38647851 · doi:10.1186/s40643-024-00734-y
  3. Sahu B, Sahu M, Sahu M and others. 2024. An Updated Review on Nelumbo Nucifera Gaertn: Chemical Composition, Nutritional Value and Pharmacological ActivitiesChemistry & biodiversity. PMID 38327030 · doi:10.1002/cbdv.202301493
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. Zhao X, Zhao R, Yang X and others. 2023. Recent advances on bioactive compounds, biosynthesis mechanism, and physiological functions of Nelumbo nuciferaFood chemistry. PMID 36731239 · doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.135581
  8. Dhull SB, Chandak A, Chawla P and others. 2023. Modifications of native lotus (Nelumbo nucifera G.) rhizome starch and its overall characterization: A reviewInternational journal of biological macromolecules. PMID 37866555 · doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127543
  9. 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
  10. Bishayee A, Patel PA, Sharma P and others. 2022. Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) and Its Bioactive Phytocompounds: A Tribute to Cancer Prevention and InterventionCancers. PMID 35158798 · doi:10.3390/cancers14030529

Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.

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