Katphala
Myrica esculenta
Katphala (Myrica esculenta) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Proanthocyanidin oligomers show better absorption profiles. Nasya (nasal) administration bypasses first-pass metabolism and provides rapid CNS delivery. Phospholipid complexation of myricetin improves bioavailability 4-fold.
| Botanical name | Myrica esculenta |
|---|---|
| Currently accepted name | Morella esculenta (Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don) I.M.Turner — the name above is treated as a synonym by GBIF; both are in use |
| Family | Myricaceae |
| Order | Fagales |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 5565387 · Wikidata Q3636681 · NCBI Taxonomy 385002 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Katphala |
Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)
| Property | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | Kashaya, Tikta, Katu | Primary taste |
| Guna (Quality) | Laghu, Tikshna | Physical quality |
| Virya (Potency) | Ushna | Heating/Cooling effect |
| Vipaka (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (bark powder), Kashayam (decoction), Nasya (nasal drops), Capsule, Taila (infused oil)
Standard Dosage: 1-3 g bark powder twice daily; 30-50 mL decoction; Nasya: 2-4 drops per nostril; 500 mg capsule twice daily
Bioavailability: Myricetin (primary flavonoid) has low oral bioavailability (~10-15%) due to extensive Phase II metabolism (glucuronidation and sulfation). Proanthocyanidin oligomers show better absorption profiles. Nasya (nasal) administration bypasses first-pass metabolism and provides rapid CNS delivery. Phospholipid complexation of myricetin improves bioavailability 4-fold.
Optimal Timing: After meals for internal use; Nasya: morning on empty stomach (classical timing); decoction for gargling: as needed for throat conditions
Standardized Extract: Bark extract standardized to minimum 5% myricetin and 15% total tannins (as tannic acid equivalents); Nasya oil standardized to minimum 0.1% myricetin by HPLC
Shelf Life: 24 months for bark powder; 18 months for capsules; 24 months for Nasya oil; 48 hours for fresh decoction
Storage: Store bark powder in airtight containers at 15-30°C. Nasya oil in amber glass dropper bottles. Protect from moisture and light.
Marker Compounds: Myricetin, Myricitrin, Gallic acid, Epigallocatechin gallate, Proanthocyanidins, Myricanol, Taraxerol, Beta-amyrin
Extraction Methods
- Water decoction (traditional)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (60-70% ethanol)
- Infusion in sesame/Anu Taila for Nasya preparation
- Supercritical CO2 for myricitrin-enriched fraction
Synergistic Combinations
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
- 2022. Myrica esculenta Buch.-Ham. (ex D. Don): A Review on its Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Nutritional PotentialCombinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening. PMID 36330658 · doi:10.2174/1386207325666220428105255
- 2020. Effects of Myricitrin and Relevant Molecular MechanismsCurrent stem cell research & therapy. PMID 30474534 · doi:10.2174/1574888X14666181126103338
- 2019. Myrica esculenta Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don: A Natural Source for Health Promotion and Disease PreventionPlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 31159283 · doi:10.3390/plants8060149
Laboratory and animal studies8
- 2026. Bioactive Compounds from Myrica esculenta: Antioxidant Insights and Docking Studies on H(+)K(+)-ATPase and H(2) Receptor TargetsMedicinal chemistry (Shariqah (United Arab Emirates)). PMID 39917935 · doi:10.2174/0115734064366819250125070619
- 2026. Isolation, characterization, quantification and antioxidant activity of compounds from Myrica esculentaNatural product research. PMID 39715675 · doi:10.1080/14786419.2024.2445196
- 2025. Structural and functional analysis of rhizospheric bacterial diversity in the Pranmati basin, Himalayan critical zone observatoryJournal of environmental management. PMID 39740461 · doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123872
- 2024. Comprehensive Analysis of Antioxidant Properties, GC-MS, and FTIR Profiles of Myrica esculenta Fruit Extracts from Western East Khasi Hills of MeghalayaChemistry & biodiversity. PMID 39229819 · doi:10.1002/cbdv.202401006
- 2021. Polyphenolic composition and antioxidant potential of underutilized Himalayan wild edible berries by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometryJournal of separation science. PMID 34633763 · doi:10.1002/jssc.202100455
- 2020. Neuroprotective potential of Myrica esulenta in Haloperidol induced Parkinson's diseaseJournal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine. PMID 32912644 · doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2020.06.007
- 2019. Pharmacognostic characterization of Myrica esculenta leavesJournal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine. PMID 29544902 · doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2017.07.012
- 2017. Nutraceutical potential of selected wild edible fruits of the Indian Himalayan regionFood chemistry. PMID 27542453 · doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.07.143
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.