Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Parnayavani

Coleus amboinicus

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 nameColeus amboinicus
FamilyLamiaceae · other entries in this family
OrderLamiales
Taxon identifiersGBIF 5341313 · Wikidata Q39087854 · NCBI Taxonomy 204180

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishParnayavani

Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

PropertyValueDescription
Rasa (Taste)Katu, TiktaPrimary taste
Guna (Quality)Laghu, TikshnaPhysical quality
Virya (Potency)UshnaHeating/Cooling effect
Vipaka (Post-digestive)KatuPost-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 and 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

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. Upadhyay S, Verma R, Gupta S. 2026. Nutritional Composition, Therapeutic Benefits, and Functional Food Potential of Coleus amboinicus: A Comprehensive ReviewFood science & nutrition. PMID 42266885 · doi:10.1002/fsn3.71419
  2. Santos Filipe M, Bangay G, Brauning FZ and others. 2025. Plectranthus amboinicus: A Systematic Review of Traditional Uses, Phytochemical Properties, and Therapeutic ApplicationsPharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 40430526 · doi:10.3390/ph18050707
  3. Paul K, Gowda BHJ, Hani U and others. 2024. Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Activities of Coleus amboinicus: A Comprehensive ReviewCurrent pharmaceutical design. PMID 38321896 · doi:10.2174/0113816128283267240130062600
  4. 2006. Coleus PMID 30000934

Laboratory and animal studies8

  1. Yugashini C, Prabhu S, Prabhu A. 2026. Comparative in vitro study of Coleus amboinicus and paclitaxel on oral cancer cellsJournal of oral and maxillofacial pathology : JOMFP. PMID 42064131 · doi:10.4103/jomfp.jomfp_108_25
  2. Kunjan F, Shanmugam R, Govindharaj S. 2024. Evaluation of Free Radical Scavenging and Antimicrobial Activity of Coleus amboinicus-Mediated Iron Oxide NanoparticlesCureus. PMID 38571817 · doi:10.7759/cureus.55472
  3. Sari MI, Lia Kusumawati R, Pane YS and others. 2023. Coleus Amboinicus Lour. Leaf Extract as an Antioxidant in SepsisMedical archives (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina). PMID 38313107 · doi:10.5455/medarh.2023.77.451-454
  4. Yanza YR, Szumacher-Strabel M, Lechniak D and others. 2022. Dietary Coleus amboinicus Lour. decreases ruminal methanogenesis and biohydrogenation, and improves meat quality and fatty acid composition in longissimus thoracis muscle of lambsJournal of animal science and biotechnology. PMID 35027089 · doi:10.1186/s40104-021-00654-3
  5. Leesombun A, Thanapakdeechaikul K, Suwannawiang J and others. 2022. Effects of Coleus amboinicus L. Essential Oil and Ethanolic Extracts on Planktonic Cells and Biofilm Formation of Microsporum canis Isolated from Feline DermatophytosisAntibiotics (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36551390 · doi:10.3390/antibiotics11121734
  6. Winter K, Virgo A, Garcia M and others. 2021. Constitutive and facultative crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) in Cuban oregano, Coleus amboinicus (Lamiaceae)Functional plant biology : FPB. PMID 32919492 · doi:10.1071/FP20127
  7. Ślusarczyk S, Cieślak A, Yanza YR and others. 2021. Phytochemical Profile and Antioxidant Activities of Coleus amboinicus Lour. Cultivated in Indonesia and PolandMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 34068950 · doi:10.3390/molecules26102915
  8. Yanza YR, Szumacher-Strabel M, Bryszak M and others. 2018. Coleus amboinicus (Lour.) leaves as a modulator of ruminal methanogenesis and biohydrogenation in vitroJournal of animal science. PMID 30085144 · doi:10.1093/jas/sky321

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