# Parnayavani

> Parnayavani (Coleus amboinicus) is a plant used in Ayurveda. These phenols undergo Phase II conjugation (glucuronidation, sulfation) in the liver. Inhalation route provides rapid pulmonary absorption of volatile compounds with near-complete bioavailability.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Coleus amboinicus

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Parnayavani |

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

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

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (powder), Capsule, Tablet, Swarasa (fresh juice), Essential oil (external), Kwatha, Cough syrup formulation

**Standard Dosage:** 1-2 g dried herb powder twice daily; 5-10 mL fresh juice daily; 300-500 mg extract twice daily; 2-3 drops essential oil for steam inhalation

**Bioavailability:** [Carvacrol](/glossary/compounds-a-c/#carvacrol) and [thymol](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#thymol) (major volatile phenols) have good oral bioavailability (50-70%) with rapid absorption from GI tract. These phenols undergo Phase II conjugation (glucuronidation, sulfation) in the liver. Inhalation route provides rapid pulmonary absorption of volatile compounds with near-complete bioavailability. Rosmarinic acid from the herb has moderate oral bioavailability (~25-35%).

**Optimal Timing:** For respiratory conditions: after meals or between meals, 2-3 times daily. Steam inhalation: as needed for congestion. Essential oil: not for internal use without proper formulation.

**Standardized Extract:** Essential oil standardized to carvacrol >40% and thymol >15%. Hydroalcoholic extract standardized to rosmarinic acid >3%, total phenolics >8% GAE.

**Shelf Life:** Dried herb: 12-18 months; Essential oil: 24-36 months; Extract: 24 months; Capsules/Tablets: 24-36 months; Syrup: 18-24 months

**Storage:** Dried herb: airtight containers, below 25 deg C, protected from light. Essential oil: amber glass, tightly sealed, 15-25 deg C. Syrup: amber glass, below 25 deg C, protect from microbial contamination.

**Marker Compounds:** Carvacrol, Thymol, Rosmarinic acid, p-Cymene, Gamma-terpinene, Beta-caryophyllene, Ursolic acid, Oleanolic acid

### Extraction Methods

- Steam distillation for essential oil (yield 1-2%)
- Hydrodistillation
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (60% ethanol) for phenolic acids
- Fresh juice expression
- Supercritical CO2 for carvacrol-enriched fraction
- Aqueous decoction

### Synergistic Combinations

- [Tulsi](/herb/tulsi/) (respiratory and [antimicrobial](/reference/antimicrobial/) synergy)
- Adrak/[Ginger](/herb/ginger/) (cough and cold combination)
- [Yashtimadhu](/herb/yashtimadhu/) (throat-soothing [expectorant](/reference/expectorant/) formula)
- [Vasa](/herb/vasa/) ([bronchodilator](/reference/bronchodilator/) and mucolytic combination)
- [Pippali](/herb/pippali/) (respiratory tract and bioenhancement)

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

## 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.