Madanaphala
Randia dumetorum (Retz.) Lam. (syn. Randia spinosa, Catunaregam spinosa)
Madanaphala (Randia dumetorum (Retz.) Lam. (syn. Randia spinosa, Catunaregam spinosa)) is a plant drug, from the Rubiaceae family. Included in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; recognized as prime emetic drug (Vamana Dravya) in classical Ayurveda texts; no standalone WHO monograph.
| Botanical name | Randia dumetorum (Retz.) Lam. (syn. Randia spinosa, Catunaregam spinosa) |
|---|---|
| Currently accepted name | Catunaregam spinosa (Thunb.) Tirveng., the name above is treated as a synonym by GBIF; both are in use |
| Family | Rubiaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Gentianales |
| Also known as | Randia dumetorum (Retz.) Lam. (syn. Randia spinosa, Catunaregam spinosa) |
| Pharmacopoeia status | Included in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; recognized as prime emetic drug (Vamana Dravya) in classical Ayurveda texts; no standalone WHO monograph |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 5339282 · Wikidata Q87614518 · NCBI Taxonomy 136894 |
The evidence at a glance
12papers on this site for this drug, published 1985 to 2023, 9 with a DOI.
- 1Other clinical studies and reviews
- 11Laboratory and animal studies
A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Everything listed here is laboratory or animal work, which does not show an effect in people. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Madanaphala |
| Latin/Botanical | Randia dumetorum (Retz.) Lam. (syn. Randia spinosa, Catunaregam spinosa) |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Randianin (saponin)
- Dumetoronins A-F (saponins)
- Randoside A (glycoside)
- 10-Methylixoside (iridoid glycoside)
- Ursosaponin
- Randia acid
- Tartaric acid
- Citric acid
How does it work?
- Emetic: Saponins (randianin, dumetoronins) irritate gastric mucosa and stimulate the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ), inducing therapeutic emesis (Vamana)
- Anti-inflammatory: Iridoid glycosides and triterpenoid saponins suppress IL-1beta, TNF-alpha production, and inhibit COX-2 expression
- Immunomodulatory: Saponins and glycosides enhance phagocytic function and modulate adaptive immune response through T-helper cell modulation
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.
- Traditionally used as a therapeutic emetic in Vamana.
- Traditionally used for respiratory disorders. An in vitro study in human lung epithelial cells reported reduced IL-1beta.
- Traditionally used for wound healing. Animal studies in excision wound models have reported antimicrobial activity and increased collagen synthesis.
What do recent studies show?
No study for this section could be traced to a published paper. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.
Recent safety updates
- Used therapeutically for Vamana (emesis) in Panchakarma; must be administered only under supervision of trained Ayurvedic practitioner to avoid dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
- Not for unsupervised self-medication; excessive use may cause severe vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain; contraindicated in pregnancy, debilitated patients, and children under 5
What is it made of?
Key Active Markers
- Saponins
- Citric Acid
- Randianin
- Dumetoronins A-F
- Randoside A
- Ursosaponin
- Randia acid
- Tartaric acid
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kwatha (decoction), Pippali-Madanaphala yoga (combination), Capsules, Tablets (for sub-emetic doses), Lepa (topical)
Standard Dosage: Emetic dose: 3-6 g powder with honey and rock salt for Vamana therapy. Sub-emetic dose: 500 mg-1 g for expectorant effect. External use as paste.
Optimal Timing: Early morning on empty stomach for Vamana procedure; before meals for expectorant effect; specific timing as per Panchakarma protocol
Storage: Store below 25 deg C in airtight containers. Protect from moisture as saponins are hygroscopic. Keep in restricted access storage due to emetic potency. Label clearly with ‘For Practitioner Use Only’ for Vamana preparations.
Marker Compounds: Randiasaponin I-IV, Randianin, Ursolic acid, Oleanolic acid, Saponin glycosides, Mannitol
Synergistic Combinations
- Pippali (Vamana Dravya combination)
- Vacha (emetic potentiation in Panchakarma)
- Yashtimadhu (emetic with gastric protection)
- Nimba (antiparasitic combination at sub-emetic doses)
- Madhu/Honey (traditional vehicle for emetic use)
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 reviews1
- 2021. Catunaregam spinosa (Thunb.) Tirveng: A Review of Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Activities, and Toxicological AspectsEvidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. PMID 34484388 · doi:10.1155/2021/3257732
Laboratory and animal studies11
- 2023. Isolation & identification of anti-inflammatory constituents of Randia dumetorum lamk. fruit: Potential beneficial effects against acute lung injuryJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 36216197 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2022.115759
- 2021. α-Amylase Inhibitory Activity of Catunaregam spinosa (Thunb.) Tirveng.: In Vitro and In Silico StudiesBioMed research international. PMID 34938807 · doi:10.1155/2021/4133876
- 2016. Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Potentiality of Randia dumetorum Lam. Leaf and Bark via Inhibition of Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory CytokinesFrontiers in pharmacology. PMID 27471465 · doi:10.3389/fphar.2016.00205
- 2014. Ethnomedicinal plants to cure skin diseases-an account of the traditional knowledge in the coastal parts of Central Western Ghats, Karnataka, IndiaJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 24239890 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.10.062
- 2012. Bronchorelaxant, mast cell stabilizing, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of Randia dumetorum (Retz.) Lamk. extractsActa poloniae pharmaceutica. PMID 22594261
- 2012. Pretreatment of Albino Rats with Methanolic Fruit Extract of Randia Dumetorum (L.) Protects against Alcohol Induced Liver DamageThe Korean journal of physiology & pharmacology : official journal of the Korean Physiological Society and the Korean Society of Pharmacology. PMID 22563258 · doi:10.4196/kjpp.2012.16.2.125
- 2011. A comparative study on Vamana Karma with Madanaphala and Krutavedhana in Ekakushtha (Psoriasis)Ayu. PMID 22661842 · doi:10.4103/0974-8520.96121
- 2006. Search for antibacterial and antifungal agents from selected Indian medicinal plantsJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 16678369 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2006.03.013
- 2003. In vitro propagation of emetic nut Randia dumetorum (Lamb.)Indian journal of experimental biology. PMID 15320509
- 1990. New biologically active triterpene-saponins from Randia dumetorumPlanta medica. PMID 2077549 · doi:10.1055/s-2006-961009
- 1985. Anti-implantation activity of some indigenous plants in ratsActa Europaea fertilitatis. PMID 3832714
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
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.