Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Madhuka Pushpa

Madhuca longifolia

Madhuka Pushpa (Madhuca longifolia) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Natural sugars facilitate osmotic absorption in the GI tract. Flavonoid glycosides are hydrolyzed by gut bacteria releasing absorbable aglycones. Fermented preparations (Asava) show 50-70% better bioavailability of phenolic compounds.

Key facts
Botanical nameMadhuca longifolia
FamilySapotaceae · other entries in this family
OrderEricales
Also known asMadhuka Pushpa, MadhukaPushpa
Taxon identifiersGBIF 2883346 · Wikidata Q2720146 · NCBI Taxonomy 317856

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishMadhuka Pushpa

Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

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

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Fresh flowers (seasonal), Dried flower powder, Avaleha (flower confection), Asava (fermented), Syrup, Capsules, Spray-dried extract

Standard Dosage: 5-10 g dried flower powder per day; 10-20 g fresh flowers; 10-20 mL syrup twice daily; 15-30 mL Asava after meals

Bioavailability: High sugar content (up to 70% in dried flowers) provides immediate energy and enhances absorption of co-present flavonoids. Natural sugars facilitate osmotic absorption in the GI tract. Flavonoid glycosides are hydrolyzed by gut bacteria releasing absorbable aglycones. Fermented preparations (Asava) show 50-70% better bioavailability of phenolic compounds.

Optimal Timing: Morning for nutritive and energy-boosting effects; after meals for digestive benefits; Asava after meals diluted with water

Standardized Extract: Spray-dried flower extract (5:1) standardized to minimum 30% total sugars and 2% flavonoids (as quercetin equivalents). Fermented Asava with 5-8% self-generated alcohol and 15-20% total solids.

Shelf Life: Dried flowers: 12 months (hygroscopic). Spray-dried powder: 18 months with desiccant. Avaleha: 24 months. Asava: 5+ years (improves with age). Syrup: 18 months.

Storage: Dried flowers in airtight, moisture-proof containers with desiccant, below 25 deg C. Spray-dried powder in moisture-barrier sachets (aluminum foil laminate). Fresh flowers: 2-3 days refrigerated. Asava at room temperature in glass. Syrup refrigerate after opening.

Marker Compounds: Quercetin, Dihydroquercetin, Myricetin, Fructose, Glucose, Sucrose, Beta-carotene, Ascorbic acid

Extraction Methods

  • Aqueous infusion (fresh or dried flowers)
  • Fermentation with Dhataki flowers for Asava
  • Spray drying for instant powder
  • Low-temperature vacuum drying
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (40% ethanol)
  • Osmotic dehydration for semi-dried product

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 reviews4

  1. Yadav K, Pandey L, Sharma A and others. 2026. Madhuca longifolia as a Translational Food Biomaterial for Addressing the Triple Burden of MalnutritionFoods (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 42587903 · doi:10.3390/foods15152643
  2. Yadav G, Ghanghas N, Prabhakar PK. 2026. Mahua (Madhuca longifolia) deoiled seed cake as a sustainable protein source: Nutritional composition, antinutritional factors, protein extraction strategies, functional properties and food applicationsInternational journal of biological macromolecules. PMID 42264252 · doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.152980
  3. Sameeksha S, Puneet G, Ragini G. 2025. Exploring the bioactive-based therapeutic and culinary potential of Madhuca longifolia flower and delineating the research gaps in terms of scientific validationJournal of food science and technology. PMID 40612792 · doi:10.1007/s13197-025-06348-2
  4. Ramadan MF, Mohdaly AA, Assiri AM and others. 2016. Functional characteristics, nutritional value and industrial applications of Madhuca longifolia seeds: an overviewJournal of food science and technology. PMID 27407181 · doi:10.1007/s13197-015-2095-6

Laboratory and animal studies8

  1. Khare N, Barot M, Singh S and others. 2024. Network Pharmacology Reveals Key Targets and Pathways of Madhuca longifolia for Potential Alzheimer's Disease TreatmentCell biochemistry and biophysics. PMID 39009828 · doi:10.1007/s12013-024-01389-4
  2. Jha D, Prajapati SK, Deb PK and others. 2024. Madhuca longifolia-hydro-ethanolic-fraction reverses mitochondrial dysfunction and modulates selective GLUT expression in diabetic mice fed with high fat dietMolecular biology reports. PMID 38270737 · doi:10.1007/s11033-023-08962-9
  3. Simon JP, Evan Prince S. 2021. Ameliorative activity of aqueous leaf extract from Madhuca longifolia against diclofenac-administered toxicity on rat stomach and intestineJournal of histotechnology. PMID 33656414 · doi:10.1080/01478885.2020.1861917
  4. Chatterjee R, Mukherjee SK, Paul B and others. 2021. Comparative spectroscopic analysis, performance and emissions evaluation of Madhuca longifolia and Jatropha curcas produced biodieselEnvironmental science and pollution research international. PMID 34212317 · doi:10.1007/s11356-021-15081-0
  5. Sarkar MK, Kar A, Jayaraman A and others. 2021. Apoptotic mechanisms of myricitrin isolated from Madhuca longifolia leaves in HL-60 leukemia cellsMolecular biology reports. PMID 34156605 · doi:10.1007/s11033-021-06500-z
  6. Singh D, Yadav E, Kumar V and others. 2021. Madhuca longifolia Embedded Silver Nanoparticles Attenuate Diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-Induced Renal Cancer via Regulating Oxidative StressCurrent drug delivery. PMID 32914714 · doi:10.2174/1567201817666200910154301
  7. Won G, Jung JH, Sohn EJ and others. 2020. Misaponin B Induces G2/M Arrest, Cytokinesis Failure and Impairs AutophagyBioMed research international. PMID 32090100 · doi:10.1155/2020/5925094
  8. Song J, Liang JF, Mehrabi-Koushki M and others. 2019. Fungal Systematics and Evolution: FUSE 5Sydowia. PMID 31975743 · doi:10.12905/0380.sydowia71-2019-0141

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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.