Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Priyangu

Callicarpa macrophylla Vahl.

Priyangu (Callicarpa macrophylla Vahl.) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Anti-inflammatory activity confirmed in carrageenan-induced paw edema models. Listed in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (fruit indicated for emesis and giddiness).

Key facts
Botanical nameCallicarpa macrophylla Vahl.
FamilyLamiaceae · other entries in this family
OrderLamiales
Pharmacopoeia statusListed in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (fruit indicated for emesis and giddiness). No dedicated WHO monograph. Classified in Indian traditional medicine pharmacopeias under Verbenaceae.
Taxon identifiersGBIF 5609508 · Wikidata Q5021993 · NCBI Taxonomy 536997

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishPriyangu
Latin/BotanicalCallicarpa macrophylla Vahl.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

  • Calliterpenone (diterpenoid)
  • Calliterpenone monoacetate
  • Luteolin
  • Apigenin
  • Ursolic acid
  • Betulinic acid
  • Beta-sitosterol
  • Luteolin-7-O-glucuronide

How does it work?

  • Anti-inflammatory: Calliterpenone and luteolin inhibit pro-inflammatory mediators; demonstrated in carrageenan-induced edema models.
  • Uterine tonic action: Traditional Garbhashaya Shodhana (uterine cleansing) attributed to combined terpenoid and flavonoid activity on uterine smooth muscle.
  • Antipyretic: Reduces elevated body temperature through prostaglandin synthesis inhibition, comparable to paracetamol in animal models.
  • Antimicrobial: Flavonoids and terpenoids disrupt microbial cell membranes; effective against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
  • Antidiabetic: Alpha-glucosidase inhibition and insulin-sensitizing effects demonstrated in preclinical diabetes models.

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Anti-inflammatory activity confirmed in carrageenan-induced paw edema models.
  • Analgesic activity validated and found comparable to standard analgesics.
  • Antipyretic effects demonstrated in experimental fever models.
  • Antimicrobial activity confirmed against multiple pathogens.
  • Anti-arthritic potential validated in Freund’s adjuvant arthritis model.

What do recent clinical trials show?

4 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • Limited toxicity data available. Traditional use indicates generally safe within Ayurvedic recommended dosages.
  • Traditionally contraindicated during first trimester of pregnancy despite gynecological applications. Should be used under qualified practitioner guidance.
  • No significant adverse effects reported in available preclinical studies; however, comprehensive toxicological profiling is lacking.

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

  • Luteolin
  • Apigenin
  • Sitosterol
  • Calliterpenone
  • Calliterpenone monoacetate
  • Ursolic acid
  • Betulinic acid
  • Beta-
  • Luteolin-7-O-glucuronide

Analytical Methods: HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (flower/bark powder), Kwatha (decoction), Capsule, Tablet, Lepa (paste), Taila (oil), Anjana (collyrium)

Standard Dosage: 1-3 g flower powder twice daily; 15-20 mL decoction twice daily; 500 mg standardized extract twice daily; topical paste as needed

Bioavailability: Callicarpa macrophylla (Priyangu) flavonoids and terpenoids show moderate oral bioavailability (20-35%). Betulinic acid has limited oral bioavailability (~10-15%) due to poor aqueous solubility; nano-formulation or amorphous solid dispersion can improve this to 30-40%. Calliterpenone (specific to Callicarpa) shows moderate absorption. Topical paste application is effective for local skin conditions.

Optimal Timing: For gynecological conditions: begin 5-7 days before expected menses, continue through menstruation. General use: after meals. Topical: as needed, morning and evening.

Standardized Extract: Priyangu flower extract (8:1) standardized to total flavonoids >4%, betulinic acid >0.5%, calliterpenone >0.3%. HPTLC fingerprint for authentication.

Shelf Life: Dried flowers: 12-18 months; Flower powder: 12-18 months; Extract: 24 months; Capsules: 24 months; Taila: 18-24 months

Storage: Dried flowers: airtight containers, below 25 deg C, RH <50%, protected from light. Extracts: amber containers, cool and dry. Taila: amber glass, room temperature.

Marker Compounds: Betulinic acid, Calliterpenone, Lupeol, Beta-sitosterol, Ursolic acid, Quercetin, Kaempferol, Oleanolic acid

Extraction Methods

  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (60% ethanol) of flowers
  • Aqueous decoction of bark
  • Methanol extraction for betulinic acid isolation
  • Oil infusion of flowers in sesame oil base
  • Cold maceration for gentle extraction of heat-sensitive flower compounds

Synergistic Combinations

  • Ashoka (uterine health and menorrhagia management)
  • Lodhra (astringent and gynecological synergy)
  • Nagakesara (hemorrhagic conditions)
  • Chandana (complexion-enhancing formulation)
  • Manjistha (blood purification and skin health)

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.

Laboratory and animal studies12

  1. Gou L, Li RS, Lai JL and others. 2026. Three new diterpenoids from the aerial parts of Callicarpa macrophyllaNatural product research. PMID 40403162 · doi:10.1080/14786419.2025.2505602
  2. Zhang X, Zhang Q, Ngina C and others. 2025. Phytochemical analysis of different Callicarpa species based on integrating metabolomics and chemometricsPhytochemical analysis : PCA. PMID 39313958 · doi:10.1002/pca.3451
  3. Du GX, Chen T, Wang G and others. 2023. Five undescribed abietane-type diterpenes of Callicarpa macrophyllaFitoterapia. PMID 37524125 · doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2023.105629
  4. Hung NH, Quan PM, Dai DN and others. 2023. Environmentally-Friendly Pesticidal Activities of Callicarpa and Karomia Essential Oils from Vietnam and Their MicroemulsionsChemistry & biodiversity. PMID 36732885 · doi:10.1002/cbdv.202200210
  5. Liu Y, Guo S, Bei J and others. 2022. The complete chloroplast genome of Callicarpa macrophylla VahlMitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources. PMID 36299710 · doi:10.1080/23802359.2022.2134749
  6. Pandey P, Pandey SS, Awasthi A and others. 2022. Calliterpenone, a natural plant growth promoter from a medicinal plant Callicarpa macrophylla, sustainably enhances the yield and productivity of cropsFrontiers in plant science. PMID 36226284 · doi:10.3389/fpls.2022.960717
  7. Pandey P, Pandey SS, Awasthi A and others. 2022. Corrigendum: Calliterpenone, a natural plant growth promoter from a medicinal plant Callicarpa macrophylla, sustainably enhances the yield and productivity of cropsFrontiers in plant science. PMID 36507453 · doi:10.3389/fpls.2022.1055825
  8. Lam DT, Le VTT, Quan PM and others. 2021. Two new terpenoids from the leaves of callicarpa macrophyllaNatural product research. PMID 31303054 · doi:10.1080/14786419.2019.1639180
  9. Wang ZH, Xu HJ, Zhai YY and others. 2019. Three new labdane-type diterpenoids from Callicarpa macrophylla VahlNatural product research. PMID 30445877 · doi:10.1080/14786419.2018.1509336
  10. Chandra M, Prakash O, Kumar R and others. 2017. β-Selinene-Rich Essential Oils from the Parts of Callicarpa macrophylla and Their Antioxidant and Pharmacological ActivitiesMedicines (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 28930267 · doi:10.3390/medicines4030052
  11. Wang ZH, Niu C, Zhou DJ and others. 2017. Three New Abietane-Type Diterpenoids from Callicarpa macrophylla VahlMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 28534843 · doi:10.3390/molecules22050842
  12. Xu J, Sun Y, Wang M and others. 2015. Bioactive Diterpenoids from the Leaves of Callicarpa macrophyllaJournal of natural products. PMID 26110519 · doi:10.1021/acs.jnatprod.5b00018

Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.

Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.