# Tejapatra

> Tejapatra (Cinnamomum tamala) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Undergoes hepatic glucuronidation and sulfation. Cinnamaldehyde, when present, has good absorption but is rapidly metabolized to cinnamic acid and subsequently to hippuric acid.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Cinnamomum tamala

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Tejapatra |

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

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

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (powder), Kwatha (decoction), Essential oil, Capsule, Tablet, Tincture, Infusion

**Standard Dosage:** 1-3 g powder twice daily; 30-60 mL decoction twice daily; 1-2 drops essential oil in warm water

**Bioavailability:** [Eugenol](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#eugenol) (primary constituent) exhibits rapid oral absorption with bioavailability of approximately 45-55%. Undergoes hepatic glucuronidation and sulfation. [Cinnamaldehyde](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#cinnamaldehyde), when present, has good absorption but is rapidly metabolized to cinnamic acid and subsequently to hippuric acid. [Proanthocyanidins](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#proanthocyanidins) from the aqueous fraction have low oral bioavailability (<10%).

**Optimal Timing:** After meals for digestive benefits; morning and evening dosing

**Standardized Extract:** Essential oil standardized to >55% eugenol by GC-FID; hydroethanolic extract standardized to >4% total [polyphenols](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#polyphenols)

**Shelf Life:** Dried leaves: 12 months; Essential oil: 24-36 months; Capsules/Tablets: 24 months; Tincture: 36 months

**Storage:** Airtight, light-resistant containers at 15-25 deg C. Essential oil in amber glass under inert atmosphere. Dried leaves away from moisture and strong odors.

**Marker Compounds:** Eugenol, Cinnamaldehyde, [Linalool](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#linalool), alpha-Phellandrene, p-Cymene, beta-Caryophyllene, Cinnamyl acetate

### Extraction Methods

- Steam distillation for essential oil
- Hydroethanolic extraction (60-70% ethanol)
- Aqueous decoction
- Supercritical CO2 extraction
- Hydrodistillation

### Synergistic Combinations

- [Dalchini](/herb/twak-cinnamon/) (Cinnamomum verum) - complementary glycemic-management volatile profiles
- Ela (cardamom) - digestive synergy
- [Lavanga](/herb/lavanga/) (clove) - overlapping eugenol potentiation
- Maricha ([black pepper](/herb/black-pepper/)) - absorption enhancement

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

## 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.