# Patala

> Patala (Stereospermum chelonoides) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Lapachol is lipophilic and benefits from lipid-based delivery. Flavonoids (dinatin, scutellarein) show 15-30% bioavailability. Iridoid glycosides present are hydrolyzed by gut flora releasing aglycones with variable absorption kinetics.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Stereospermum chelonoides

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Patala |

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

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

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (bark powder), Kwatha (decoction), Capsule, Tablet, Arishtam

**Standard Dosage:** 3-6 g bark powder daily; 20-30 mL decoction twice daily; 500-750 mg standardized extract twice daily

**Bioavailability:** [Lapachol](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#lapachol) and other naphthoquinones from Stereospermum suaveolens (Patala) have moderate oral bioavailability (25-40%). Lapachol is lipophilic and benefits from lipid-based delivery. [Flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/) (dinatin, [scutellarein](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#scutellarein)) show 15-30% bioavailability. Iridoid [glycosides](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#glycosides) present are hydrolyzed by gut flora releasing aglycones with variable absorption kinetics.

**Optimal Timing:** After meals for general anti-inflammatory use. As part of Dashmool Kwatha: morning and evening between meals.

**Standardized Extract:** Patala stem bark extract (6:1) standardized to lapachol >0.5%, total flavonoids >3%. Root bark extract for Dashmool formulation with validated TLC/HPTLC profile.

**Shelf Life:** Bark powder: 18-24 months; Extract: 24-36 months; Tablets: 24-36 months; Arishtam: 5-10 years

**Storage:** Dried bark: airtight containers, below 25 deg C, protected from moisture and pest infestation. Extracts: amber containers, cool and dry. Arishtam: amber glass, room temperature.

**Marker Compounds:** Lapachol, Dinatin, Scutellarein, Beta-[sitosterol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sitosterol), [Stigmasterol](/reference/stigmasterol/), p-Coumaric acid, Stereolensin, Stereochenol A

### Extraction Methods

- Aqueous decoction of stem bark
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (60% ethanol)
- Methanol extraction for naphthoquinone isolation
- Sequential solvent extraction (hexane then ethanol) for fractionation
- Percolation for Arishtam preparation

### Synergistic Combinations

- Dashmool combination (key component of the ten-root formula for Vata disorders)
- [Bilva](/herb/bilva/) (digestive and anti-inflammatory combination)
- [Shyonaka](/herb/shyonaka/) (respiratory and anti-inflammatory synergy)
- [Gambhari](/herb/gambhari/) (Dashmool synergy for pyrexia)
- [Prasarini](/herb/prasarini/) (musculoskeletal pain combination)

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

## 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.