Kulattha
Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc. (syn. Dolichos biflorus L.)
Kulattha (Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc. (syn. Dolichos biflorus L.)) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Fabaceae (Leguminosae) family. Not listed in WHO monographs as a medicinal plant; widely recognized as a functional food legume; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia documents its medicinal properties.
| Botanical name | Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc. (syn. Dolichos biflorus L.) |
|---|---|
| Family | Fabaceae (Leguminosae) · other entries in this family |
| Order | Fabales |
| Pharmacopoeia status | Not listed in WHO monographs as a medicinal plant; widely recognized as a functional food legume; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia documents its medicinal properties |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 2976931 · NCBI Taxonomy 271171 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Kulattha |
| Latin/Botanical | Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc. (syn. Dolichos biflorus L.) |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Phenolic acids (gallic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid)
- Flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin, myricetin)
- Tannins (condensed tannins)
- Phytic acid
- Dietary fiber (high content)
- Proteins (22-25%)
- Iron and calcium (high mineral content)
- Phytosterols
- Saponins
- Antioxidant peptides
How does it work?
- Antilithiatic (anti-kidney stone) mechanism through inhibition of calcium oxalate crystal nucleation and growth, with diuretic action promoting stone fragment passage
- Antidiabetic action through alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibition by polyphenols, combined with high fiber content slowing carbohydrate absorption
- Cardioprotective mechanism involving reduction of oxidative LDL modification and improvement of lipid profiles through phytosterol and fiber-mediated cholesterol reduction
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
- Anti-urolithiatic (kidney stone dissolving) activity validated through in vitro and in vivo studies, confirming premier Ayurvedic use in Ashmari (renal calculi)
- Antidiabetic potential confirmed through enzyme inhibition and in vivo blood glucose studies, supporting traditional use in Prameha
- Bronchodilatory and anti-asthmatic properties supported by preliminary studies, partially validating traditional use in Shwasa (respiratory conditions)
What do recent clinical trials show?
- Oli P, Joshi K, Punetha S 2024. Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and nutraceutical potential of horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum): A systematic review. Journal of food science. PMID 39656760 · doi:10.1111/1750-3841.17594
Comprehensive systematic review documenting antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial, antidiarrheal, and neuroprotective effects of horse gram bioactive compounds.
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
- Widely consumed as a dietary legume across South and Southeast Asia with long-established culinary safety; contains anti-nutritional factors (phytic acid, tannins) that are significantly reduced by traditional cooking methods (soaking, boiling, sprouting)
- Excessive consumption may aggravate gout due to moderate purine content; Ayurvedic texts advise against use in Raktapitta (bleeding disorders) and Pitta-dominant conditions due to its heating nature
What is it made of?
Key Active Markers
- Flavonoids
- Kaempferol
- Quercetin
- Myricetin
- Tannins
- Proteins
- Phytosterols
- Saponins
Analytical Methods: HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Yusha (medicated soup), Churna (powder), Kashayam (decoction), Capsule, Kvatha concentrate
Standard Dosage: 20-40 g whole seeds for Yusha preparation; 5-10 g powder twice daily; 50-100 mL decoction; seed soup (200-300 mL) once daily
Bioavailability: Polyphenols (gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin) show 20-35% oral bioavailability. Anti-nutritional factors (trypsin inhibitors, phytic acid) reduce protein and mineral bioavailability — traditional soaking and cooking methods (Yusha preparation) reduce these by 60-80%. Isoflavones have moderate absorption enhanced by gut microbiome metabolism to equol. Iron and calcium bioavailability improved with ascorbic acid co-administration.
Optimal Timing: Yusha: at lunch (mid-day meal) for optimal digestion; decoction: morning on empty stomach for urinary calculi; powder: after meals
Standardized Extract: Seed extract standardized to minimum 5% total polyphenols (as gallic acid equivalents) and 0.3% total isoflavones; protein content >22%
Shelf Life: 24 months for whole dried seeds; 12 months for powder (nutrient oxidation); 24 months for capsules; Yusha consumed same day
Storage: Whole seeds in airtight containers at 15-30°C, protected from moisture and insects. Powder in nitrogen-flushed packaging due to lipid oxidation. Cool, dry storage essential.
Marker Compounds: Gallic acid, Catechin, Epicatechin, Genistein, Daidzein, Phytic acid (to be minimized), Beta-sitosterol, Stigmasterol
Extraction Methods
- Traditional Yusha (soup): soaked seeds boiled with spices and reduced
- Water decoction of whole/split seeds
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (50% ethanol)
- Germination/sprouting for enhanced nutrient profile
- Roasting followed by grinding for Churna
Synergistic Combinations
- Yavakshara (potassium carbonate) for urinary calculi dissolution synergy
- Gokshura for comprehensive urinary health
- Varuna for renal stone management
- Punarnava for kidney support
- Pashanbheda for lithotriptic formulations
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
Other clinical studies and reviews2
- 2026. Horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum) as a climate-resilient legume with functional and nutraceutical potentialFrontiers in plant science. PMID 42630898 · doi:10.3389/fpls.2026.1891496
- 2023. Exploring the nutritional and health benefits of pulses from the Indian Himalayan region: A glimpse into the region's rich agricultural heritageFood chemistry. PMID 37150115 · doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.136259
Laboratory and animal studies9
- 2024. Assessing the yield and nutrient potential of horse gram mutants (Macrotyloma uniflorum Lam. Verdc.) an underutilized legume through a multi-environment-based experimentScientific reports. PMID 39009646 · doi:10.1038/s41598-024-67282-5
- 2022. Nuclear magnetic resonance-based chemical signature and nutritional discrimination of Macrotyloma uniflorum accessions from the alpine HimalayasJournal of the science of food and agriculture. PMID 34173242 · doi:10.1002/jsfa.11401
- 2022. Metabolite profiling and protein quantification to a large library of 96 horsegram (Macrotyloma uniflorum) germplasmScientific reports. PMID 35552498 · doi:10.1038/s41598-022-11962-7
- 2021. Macrotyloma uniflorum a plant food alleviates the metabolic syndrome through modulation of adipokines and PPARsJournal of food biochemistry. PMID 33368458 · doi:10.1111/jfbc.13595
- 2021. Morphological and biochemical responses of Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc. to allelopathic effects of Mikania micrantha Kunth extractsHeliyon. PMID 34458640 · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07822
- 2020. Genome wide in-silico miRNA and target network prediction from stress responsive Horsegram (Macrotyloma uniflorum) accessionsScientific reports. PMID 33057204 · doi:10.1038/s41598-020-73140-x
- 2020. Comprehensive nutritional profiling and activity directed identification of lead antioxidant, antilithiatic agent from Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) VerdcFood research international (Ottawa, Ont.). PMID 33233199 · doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2020.109600
- 2020. Curcuma longa and Trigonella foenum graecum-enriched nutrient mixture from germinated Macrotyloma uniflorum and Vigna radiate ameliorate nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases in ratsJournal of food biochemistry. PMID 32017151 · doi:10.1111/jfbc.13159
- 2018. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of fixed oil of Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc. in mice and ratsPakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences. PMID 29618451
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.