# Nagadanti

> Nagadanti is a substance used in the Ayurvedic materia medica. Use with caution; purgative at higher doses. Bioavailability: Jatrophin and curcin (toxic proteins) have limited oral bioavailability due to GI degradation, but are still potent at low concentrations.

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Nagadanti |

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

| Property | Value | Description |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| **Rasa** (Taste) | Tikta | Primary taste |
| **Guna** (Quality) | Laghu, Ruksha | Physical quality |
| **Virya** (Potency) | Sheeta | Heating/Cooling effect |
| **Vipaka** (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |

## What is it made of?

### Mineral/Elemental Profile

- **Primary component:** Mineral-derived preparation
- **Note:** Composition varies by specific preparation method

**Analytical Methods:** XRD, ICP-OES, SEM-EDS

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (root/leaf powder), Kwatha (decoction), Capsules, Svarasa (leaf juice), Lepa (topical paste)

**Standard Dosage:** 1-3 g root powder per day; 3-5 g leaf powder; 20-40 mL decoction twice daily; 5-10 mL leaf juice. Use with caution; purgative at higher doses.

**Bioavailability:** Jatrophin and curcin (toxic [proteins](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#proteins)) have limited oral bioavailability due to GI degradation, but are still potent at low concentrations. [Flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/) show moderate absorption. Diterpene esters are lipophilic with variable oral absorption. Purgative principles (curcanoleic acid) act primarily on intestinal mucosa with minimal systemic absorption.

**Optimal Timing:** Morning on empty stomach for purgative action; as per Virechana Panchakarma schedule; topical as needed

**Standardized Extract:** Shodhita (purified) root extract with controlled purgative activity. Leaf extract (8:1 aqueous) for milder indications. Topical preparation at 5-10% extract concentration for skin conditions.

**Shelf Life:** Shodhita root powder: 18 months. Capsules: 24 months. Leaf powder: 18 months. Topical paste: 12 months.

**Storage:** Store below 25 deg C in airtight containers. Restricted access due to potent purgative action. Label 'Not for unsupervised use.' Protect from moisture and light. Keep raw material separately from finished products.

**Marker Compounds:** [Montanin](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#montanin), Baliospermin, Jatrophin, 12-Deoxyphorbol esters, Curcanoleic acid, Beta-[sitosterol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sitosterol), [Stigmasterol](/reference/stigmasterol/)

### Extraction Methods

- Aqueous decoction
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (50-60% ethanol)
- Cold maceration of leaves
- Fresh leaf juice expression
- Purification (Shodhana) of root per classical method

### Synergistic Combinations

- [Trivrit](/herb/trivrit/) (purgative combination for controlled Virechana)
- [Haritaki](/herb/haritaki/) (mild [laxative](/reference/laxative/) combination)
- [Eranda](/herb/eranda/)/Castor (laxative synergy)
- [Guduchi](/herb/guduchi/) ([hepatoprotective](/reference/hepatoprotective/) co-administration)
- [Nimba](/herb/nimba/) ([antimicrobial](/reference/antimicrobial/) topical combination)

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/nagadanti/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.