Taruni
Rosa centifolia
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.
| Botanical name | Rosa centifolia |
|---|---|
| Identity source | Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I, Vol. III: SATAPATRIKA (Flower) |
| Also called | Rosa damascena (attribution recorded without a cited source) |
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Order | Rosales |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 3002410 · NCBI Taxonomy 396733 |
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, citronellol, and nerol (major essential oil components) are well absorbed orally with bioavailability >40%. 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. 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, Cyanidin-3,5-di-O-glucoside, Quercetin, 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 - female reproductive tonic synergy
- Chandan (sandalwood) - cooling and cardiotonic combination
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