# Svetamarica

> Svetamarica is a substance used in the Ayurvedic materia medica. Piperine inhibits CYP3A4, CYP2D6, CYP1A2, and P-glycoprotein, thereby increasing bioavailability of co-administered compounds by 30-200%. White pepper (Svetamarica) has identical piperine content to black pepper but lacks the outer pericarp (and its associated compounds like chavicine).

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Svetamarica |

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

| Property | Value | Description |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| **Rasa** (Taste) | Katu | Primary taste |
| **Guna** (Quality) | Laghu, Tikshna | Physical quality |
| **Virya** (Potency) | Ushna | Heating/Cooling effect |
| **Vipaka** (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-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), Vati (tablet), Capsule, Essential oil, Oleoresin

**Standard Dosage:** 500 mg - 2 g powder per day; 250-500 mg extract capsule twice daily; primarily used as bioenhancer at 5-20 mg [piperine](/reference/piperine/) per dose

**Bioavailability:** Piperine has excellent oral bioavailability (>90%) and is itself one of the most studied bioavailability enhancers in pharmacology. Piperine inhibits CYP3A4, CYP2D6, CYP1A2, and P-glycoprotein, thereby increasing bioavailability of co-administered compounds by 30-200%. White pepper (Svetamarica) has identical piperine content to [black pepper](/herb/black-pepper/) but lacks the outer pericarp (and its associated compounds like [chavicine](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#chavicine)).

**Optimal Timing:** With meals (reduces GI irritation); co-administer simultaneously with target compound for bioenhancement; [Trikatu](/herb/trikatu/) traditionally taken before meals for Deepana-Pachana (digestive enhancement)

**Standardized Extract:** Piperine extract (BioPerine equivalent): NLT 95% piperine by HPLC. White pepper oleoresin: NLT 40% piperine. Essential oil: standardized to monoterpene and sesquiterpene profile by GC-MS.

**Shelf Life:** 36 months for piperine extract capsules; 24 months for churna; 18 months for essential oil; 24 months for oleoresin

**Storage:** Below 25 deg C in airtight containers. Piperine is light-sensitive — use amber or opaque packaging. Essential oil in amber glass with nitrogen headspace. RH <55%.

**Marker Compounds:** Piperine, [Piperyline](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#piperyline), [Piperanine](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#piperanine), [Piperettine](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#piperettine), Beta-caryophyllene (essential oil), [Limonene](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#limonene) (essential oil), [Sabinene](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sabinene)

### Extraction Methods

- Ethanol extraction (95% ethanol for piperine enrichment)
- Supercritical CO2 extraction for oleoresin
- Acetone extraction for high-purity piperine
- Steam distillation for essential oil
- Crystallization from ethanolic extract for piperine isolation

### Synergistic Combinations

- Virtually ALL Ayurvedic herbs ([Trikatu](/herb/trikatu/) component — universal bioenhancer)
- [Curcumin](/herb/curcumin/)/[Haridra](/herb/haridra/) (20x bioavailability enhancement — most studied combination)
- [Ashwagandha](/herb/ashwagandha/) (enhanced withanolide absorption)
- Boswellia/[Shallaki](/herb/shallaki/) (enhanced boswellic acid absorption)
- CoQ10, [Resveratrol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#resveratrolresveratrol), EGCG (nutraceutical bioenhancement)

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

## 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.