Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Karkatashringi

Pistacia integerrima J.L. Stewart ex Brandis

Karkatashringi (Pistacia integerrima J.L. Stewart ex Brandis) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Anacardiaceae family. Included in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; recognized in Unani Pharmacopoeia; no standalone WHO monograph but documented in regional traditional medicine databases.

Key facts
Botanical namePistacia integerrima J.L. Stewart ex Brandis
Currently accepted namePistacia chinensis Bunge — the name above is treated as a synonym by GBIF; both are in use
FamilyAnacardiaceae · other entries in this family
OrderSapindales
Pharmacopoeia statusIncluded in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; recognized in Unani Pharmacopoeia; no standalone WHO monograph but documented in regional traditional medicine databases
Taxon identifiersGBIF 3662033 · Wikidata Q7198453 · NCBI Taxonomy 434235

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishKarkatashringi
Latin/BotanicalPistacia integerrima J.L. Stewart ex Brandis

Key Phytochemical Constituents

How does it work?

  • Bronchodilatory: Essential oil constituents (alpha-pinene, 1,8-cineole) relax bronchial smooth muscle and reduce airway inflammation through inhibition of PDE4
  • Anti-asthmatic: Tannins and flavonoids in galls stabilize mast cells and reduce histamine-mediated bronchoconstriction
  • Anticonvulsant: Alpha-pinene and terpineol modulate GABAergic neurotransmission, enhancing inhibitory signaling in CNS

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Anti-asthmatic use in children (Balaka Shwasa) supported by bronchial smooth muscle relaxation and mast cell stabilization in preclinical studies
  • Antitussive use (Kasa-hara) confirmed by reduction of cough frequency in SO2-induced cough model and citric acid-induced cough model
  • Digestive use (Deepana) supported by enhancement of gastric enzyme secretion and carminative activity of essential oil components

What do recent clinical trials show?

2 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • Generally safe at traditional Ayurvedic doses; insect galls are the primary medicinal part with centuries of safe pediatric use for cough and asthma
  • Essential oil at high concentrations may cause mucosal irritation; cross-reactivity possible in patients allergic to other Anacardiaceae (cashew, mango skin); limited formal toxicological data

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

  • Cineole
  • Aromadendrene
  • Catechin
  • Alpha-pinene
  • Beta-pinene
  • 1
  • Alpha-terpineol
  • Pistagremic acid
  • Gallic acid

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

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Avaleha (confection), Kashayam (decoction), Syrup, Capsule

Standard Dosage: 1-3 g powder twice daily with honey; 5-10 g Avaleha; 30-50 mL decoction; 5-10 mL syrup for children

Bioavailability: Tannins (gallotannins) are the primary actives with limited systemic absorption but excellent mucosal activity. Gallic acid released from tannin hydrolysis has good oral bioavailability (~40%). Phospholipid complexation (phytosome) of gallic acid improves absorption 2-3 fold. Honey as traditional Anupana enhances mucosal delivery for respiratory conditions.

Optimal Timing: After meals with honey for respiratory conditions; between meals for digestive astringent action

Standardized Extract: Standardized to minimum 40% total tannins (as tannic acid) and 5% free gallic acid by titrimetric and HPLC methods

Shelf Life: 36 months for powder (very stable due to high tannin content); 24 months for Avaleha; 18 months for syrup

Storage: Store in airtight containers at room temperature (15-30°C). Highly stable due to inherent tannin-mediated antioxidant activity. Protect from moisture to prevent caking.

Marker Compounds: Gallic acid, Ellagic acid, Tannic acid, Methyl gallate, 1,2,3,4,6-Penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose, Beta-sitosterol

Extraction Methods

  • Water decoction (traditional)
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (40-60% ethanol) for balanced tannin extraction
  • Hot water extraction for polysaccharide-rich fraction
  • Acetone-water (70:30) extraction for maximum tannin yield

Synergistic Combinations

  • Vasa (Adhatoda vasica) for pediatric respiratory formulations
  • Yashtimadhu (Licorice) for cough management
  • Pippali for bronchodilation synergy
  • Tulsi for respiratory infections in children
  • Sitopaladi Churna as a base respiratory 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.

Other clinical studies and reviews3

  1. Sharma A, Abubakar M, Yadav R and others. 2026. A multi-faceted pharmacology of Pistacia Integerrima mitigating asthma: a review on ethnopharmacology, phytochemicals, mechanisms, and formulations3 Biotech. PMID 41502477 · doi:10.1007/s13205-025-04664-0
  2. Ahmad R, Almubayedh H, Ahmad N and others. 2020. Ethnobotany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, biological activities and toxicity of Pistacia chinensis subsp. integerrima: A comprehensive reviewPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 32496629 · doi:10.1002/ptr.6720
  3. Bibi Y, Zia M, Qayyum A. 2015. Review-An overview of Pistacia integerrima a medicinal plant species: Ethnobotany, biological activities and phytochemistryPakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences. PMID 26004708

Laboratory and animal studies9

  1. Rauf A, Rashid U, Akram Z and others. 2024. In vitro and in silico antiproliferative potential of isolated flavonoids constitutes from Pistacia integerrimaZeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences. PMID 38549290 · doi:10.1515/znc-2023-0153
  2. Saini AK, Zahiruddin S, Newton KG and others. 2023. Validation and Standardization of Gallic Acid and Ellagic Acid in Quercus Infectoria, Terminalia Chebula, and Pistacia IntegerrimaJournal of AOAC International. PMID 37294736 · doi:10.1093/jaoacint/qsad070
  3. Kumar Paul G, Mahmud S, Aldahish AA and others. 2022. Computational screening and biochemical analysis of Pistacia integerrima and Pandanus odorifer plants to find effective inhibitors against Receptor-Binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein of SARS-Cov-2Arabian journal of chemistry. PMID 34909068 · doi:10.1016/j.arabjc.2021.103600
  4. Balkrishna A, Mulay VP, Verma S and others. 2022. Penta-O-Galloyl-β-D-Glucose in Pistacia integerrima Targets AMPK-ULK1 and ERK/STAT3 Signaling Axes to Induce ROS-Independent Autophagic Cell Death in Human Lung Cancer CellsFrontiers in pharmacology. PMID 35928273 · doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.889335
  5. Ishtiaq A, Bakhtiar A, Silas E and others. 2020. Pistacia integerrima alleviated Bisphenol A induced toxicity through Ubc13/p53 signallingMolecular biology reports. PMID 32770526 · doi:10.1007/s11033-020-05706-x
  6. Zahoor M, Zafar R, Rahman NU. 2018. Isolation and identification of phenolic antioxidants from Pistacia integerrima gall and their anticholine esterase activitiesHeliyon. PMID 30623127 · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e01007
  7. Rauf A, Uddin G, Siddiqui BS and others. 2016. Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of flavonoids isolated from Pistacia integerrima gallsComplementary therapies in medicine. PMID 27062961 · doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2016.02.002
  8. Bibi Y, Nisa S, Zia M and others. 2012. The Study of Anticancer and Antifungal Activities of Pistacia integerrima Extract in vitroIndian journal of pharmaceutical sciences. PMID 23626397 · doi:10.4103/0250-474X.107085
  9. Ahmad NS, Waheed A, Farman M and others. 2010. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Pistacia integerrima extracts in miceJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 20359528 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2010.03.017

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.

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