Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Simhamoola

Simhamoola is a substance used in the Ayurvedic materia medica. Terpenoid fraction is lipophilic and benefits from oil-based (taila) preparations. Traditional use with warm water or milk enhances absorption.

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishSimhamoola

Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

PropertyValueDescription
Rasa (Taste)Tikta, KatuPrimary taste
Guna (Quality)Laghu, RukshaPhysical quality
Virya (Potency)UshnaHeating/Cooling effect
Vipaka (Post-digestive)KatuPost-digestive effect

What is it made of?

Mineral/Elemental Profile

  • Primary component: Mineral-derived preparation
  • Note: Composition varies by specific preparation method

Analytical Methods: XRD, ICP-OES, SEM-EDS

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kwatha (decoction), Vati (tablet), Capsule, Taila (medicated oil)

Standard Dosage: 3-6 g root powder per day; 50-100 mL kwatha twice daily; 500-1000 mg capsule twice daily

Bioavailability: Phenolic and flavonoid constituents show moderate oral bioavailability (20-35%). Terpenoid fraction is lipophilic and benefits from oil-based (taila) preparations. Traditional use with warm water or milk enhances absorption.

Optimal Timing: After meals with warm water or milk for Vatahara (anti-Vata) action; taila for external application as needed

Standardized Extract: Root extract (6:1 in 60% ethanol), characterized by HPTLC fingerprint; standardized to NLT 2% total phenolics (as gallic acid equivalents) and NLT 1.5% total flavonoids

Shelf Life: 24 months for churna; 30 months for capsules; 24 months for taila

Storage: Store below 25 deg C in airtight containers, protected from light and moisture. Taila in amber glass bottles.

Marker Compounds: Beta-sitosterol, Lupeol, Oleanolic acid, Gallic acid, Quercetin

Extraction Methods

  • Aqueous decoction
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (50-60% ethanol)
  • Cold maceration in sesame oil for taila preparation
  • Percolation with graded ethanol

Synergistic Combinations

  • Eranda (anti-rheumatic and Vatahara combinations)
  • Rasna (pain management formulations)
  • Dashmool (anti-inflammatory combination)
  • Nirgundi (external pain relief applications)

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.