Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Madhuka

Madhuca longifolia (J.Koenig ex L.) J.F.Macbr.

Madhuka (Madhuca longifolia (J.Koenig ex L.) J.F.Macbr.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Sapotaceae family. Listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. [Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity of Madhuca longifolia (Mahua) Stem Extract Against Streptococcus mutans: An In Vitro Study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38348007/).

Key facts
Botanical nameMadhuca longifolia (J.Koenig ex L.) J.F.Macbr.
FamilySapotaceae · other entries in this family
OrderEricales
Pharmacopoeia statusListed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Important ethnomedical plant in tribal medicine systems across India. No WHO monograph. Seeds are a source of edible/industrial oil recognized by Indian Standards.
Taxon identifiersGBIF 2883346 · Wikidata Q2720146 · NCBI Taxonomy 317856

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishMadhuka
Latin/BotanicalMadhuca longifolia (J.Koenig ex L.) J.F.Macbr.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

How does it work?

  • Anti-inflammatory activity via triterpenoid-mediated (madhucic acid, amyrins) inhibition of COX-2 and lipoxygenase pathways
  • Antidiabetic action through saponin-mediated (mowrin) enhancement of insulin secretion and improvement of glucose tolerance
  • Hepatoprotective effects via flavonoid-mediated (quercetin, myricetin) reduction of oxidative stress and restoration of liver enzymes
  • Antiurolithiatic mechanism through inhibition of crystal nucleation, aggregation and diuretic action

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Anti-inflammatory and analgesic use validated through carrageenan-induced paw edema and hot plate models
  • Antiulcer activity confirmed in aspirin-induced and ethanol-induced gastric ulcer models
  • Oral health use validated through antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans
  • Skin emollient use of seed oil (mahua butter) validated through moisturizing and barrier function studies

What do recent clinical trials show?

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

Recent safety updates

  • Toxicity studies reveal non-toxic effects even at larger doses in preclinical models; flower-based preparations are widely consumed by tribal communities as food
  • Mahua flowers contain natural sugars that ferment to produce alcohol; distilled mahua liquor should be consumed responsibly. Seed oil (mahua butter) is edible but may contain saponins requiring processing.

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kwatha (decoction), Taila (Mahua oil), Capsules, Tablets, Avaleha (confection), Asava/Arishta, Ghrita (medicated ghee)

Standard Dosage: 3-6 g bark/flower powder per day; 20-50 mL decoction twice daily; 5-10 mL Mahua oil externally; 500-1000 mg standardized extract daily

Bioavailability: Saponins show moderate oral bioavailability (15-25%). Sapogenins (bassic acid) are better absorbed than glycosylated forms. Madhuca longifolia oil is rich in oleic and stearic acids with good transdermal penetration. Flower sugars enhance palatability and serve as energy source. Ethanol in Asava preparations enhances saponin absorption significantly.

Optimal Timing: Before meals for gastric protective effects; morning for tonic and Rasayana effects; topical application at night for skin conditions

Standardized Extract: Bark extract (10:1) standardized to minimum 8% total saponins (as bassic acid equivalents). Flower extract standardized to minimum 40% total sugars and 3% flavonoids. Mahua oil (cold-pressed) meeting IP standards for topical use.

Shelf Life: 24 months for bark powder; 18 months for flower powder (hygroscopic); 24 months for capsules/tablets; 36 months for Mahua oil; 5+ years for Asava/Arishta

Storage: Bark powder below 25 deg C in airtight containers. Flower powder is extremely hygroscopic - store with desiccant, RH below 40%. Mahua oil in cool, dark conditions. Asava at room temperature in glass containers.

Marker Compounds: Mowrin (Mi-saponin), Bassic acid, Madhucic acid, Quercetin, Dihydroquercetin, Beta-amyrin, Oleic acid, Stearic acid

Extraction Methods

  • Aqueous extraction of flowers
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (50-70% ethanol) of bark
  • Cold pressing of seeds for Mahua oil
  • Solvent extraction (hexane) for oil
  • Fermentation for Madhwasava
  • Saponin enrichment via n-butanol partitioning

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. Fatma A, Ahuja V, Ahuja A and others. 2024. Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity of Madhuca longifolia (Mahua) Stem Extract Against Streptococcus mutans: An In Vitro StudyCureus. PMID 38348007 · doi:10.7759/cureus.52210
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. Roat P, Hada S, Chechani B and others. 2023. Madhuca indica: A Review on the Phytochemical and Pharmacological AspectsPharmaceutical chemistry journal. PMID 37313437 · doi:10.1007/s11094-023-02878-1
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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

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