# Parpataka

> Parpataka (Fumaria parviflora) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Bitter principles stimulate digestive secretions providing local GI effects. Hepatoprotective activity is partly mediated through portal circulation, with efficient first-pass hepatic uptake being therapeutically beneficial.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Fumaria parviflora

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Parpataka |

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

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

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (whole herb powder), Kwatha (decoction), Capsule, Tablet, Swarasa (fresh juice), Hima (cold infusion)

**Standard Dosage:** 1-3 g dried powder twice daily; 15-30 mL decoction twice daily; 10-20 mL cold infusion; 500-750 mg standardized extract daily

**Bioavailability:** [Swertiamarin](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#swertiamarin) and other secoiridoid [glycosides](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#glycosides) from Parpataka (Fumaria indica/Oldenlandia corymbosa) show moderate oral bioavailability (25-40%). Bitter principles stimulate digestive secretions providing local GI effects. [Hepatoprotective](/reference/hepatoprotective/) activity is partly mediated through portal circulation, with efficient first-pass hepatic uptake being therapeutically beneficial. Fumaric acid derivatives are well absorbed (>60%).

**Optimal Timing:** Cold infusion (Hima): morning on empty stomach for liver and fever conditions. Decoction/powder: before meals for digestive and hepatic benefits.

**Standardized Extract:** Parpataka whole herb extract (8:1) standardized to swertiamarin >1.5% (if Fumaria species) or total [alkaloids](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#alkaloids) >0.5% (fumarine for Fumaria indica). HPTLC fingerprint mandatory for species confirmation.

**Shelf Life:** Dried herb: 12-18 months; Powder: 12-18 months; Extract: 24 months; Capsules: 24 months; Cold infusion: prepare fresh daily

**Storage:** Dried herb and powder: airtight containers, below 25 deg C, RH <55%, protected from light. Extracts: amber containers, below 25 deg C. Fresh juice and cold infusion: refrigerated, consume within 24 hours.

**Marker Compounds:** Swertiamarin (species-dependent), Fumarine, Fumaric acid, [Protopine](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#protopine), [Cryptopine](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#cryptopine), Oleanolic acid, Ursolic acid, Caffeic acid

### Extraction Methods

- Aqueous decoction
- Cold water infusion (Hima, overnight maceration)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (50-60% ethanol)
- Methanol extraction for secoiridoid profiling
- Fresh juice expression

### Synergistic Combinations

- [Guduchi](/herb/guduchi/) (hepatoprotective and fever management)
- Kutaki (liver protection and cholagogue action)
- [Nimba](/herb/nimba/) (blood purification and skin health)
- [Bhumyamalaki](/herb/bhumyamalaki/) (hepatoprotective combination)
- [Chirayata](/herb/chirayata/) (anti-pyretic and bitter tonic synergy)

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

## 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.