# Taruni

> Taruni (Rosa centifolia) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Anthocyanins and flavonoids from rose petals have low oral bioavailability (5-15%) due to instability at intestinal pH and extensive Phase II conjugation. Tannin-protein binding in GI tract further reduces polyphenol absorption.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Rosa centifolia

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Taruni |

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

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

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Gulkand (rose petal preserve), Ark (distillate/rose water), Churna (powder), Capsule, Syrup, Essential oil, Tincture

**Standard Dosage:** 1-2 teaspoons (5-10 g) gulkand twice daily; 15-30 mL rose water internally; 1-3 g powder twice daily

**Bioavailability:** [Geraniol](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#geraniol), [citronellol](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#citronellol), and [nerol](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#nerol) (major essential oil components) are well absorbed orally with bioavailability >40%. [Anthocyanins](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#anthocyanins) and [flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/) from rose petals have low oral bioavailability (5-15%) due to instability at intestinal pH and extensive Phase II conjugation. Tannin-protein binding in GI tract further reduces polyphenol absorption. Rose water (hydrosol) provides water-soluble aromatic compounds with good mucosal absorption.

**Optimal Timing:** Gulkand after meals for digestive cooling; rose water can be taken any time; powder formulations after meals

**Standardized Extract:** Rose essential oil (otto) standardized to >30% citronellol and >15% geraniol by GC-FID; hydroethanolic petal extract standardized to >3% total anthocyanins (as cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalent)

**Shelf Life:** Gulkand: 24 months; Rose water: 12 months; Essential oil: 36 months; Capsules: 24 months; Tincture: 36 months

**Storage:** Gulkand stored in glass jars at room temperature, protected from direct sunlight. Essential oil in sealed amber glass under nitrogen at 2-8 deg C. Rose water in dark glass bottles at 15-25 deg C. Petal powder in airtight, light-proof containers.

**Marker Compounds:** Citronellol, Geraniol, Nerol, Phenylethyl alcohol, [Eugenol](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#eugenol), Cyanidin-3,5-di-O-glucoside, [Quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/), [Kaempferol](/reference/kaempferol/), Gallic acid

### Extraction Methods

- Steam distillation for rose otto (essential oil)
- Hydrodistillation for rose water
- Solvent extraction with hexane for rose absolute
- Hydroethanolic extraction (40-60% ethanol) for polyphenol-rich extract
- Enfleurage (traditional) for delicate aroma compounds
- Supercritical CO2 extraction

### Synergistic Combinations

- Amalaki - cooling and Pitta-pacifying synergy
- Mishri (rock sugar) - traditional adjuvant in Gulkand
- [Shatavari](/herb/shatavari/) - female reproductive tonic synergy
- Chandan (sandalwood) - cooling and cardiotonic combination

---

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

## 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.