# Upodika

> Upodika (Basella alba) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Oxalic acid is highly bioavailable and can contribute to calcium oxalate kidney stone risk at high doses. Saponins from Basella have low oral bioavailability (<10%) but act locally as mucosal demulcents.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Basella alba

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Upodika |

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

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

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** [Shaka](/glossary/concepts-m-y/#shaka) (cooked vegetable), Svarasa (fresh juice), Churna (powder), Capsule, Kwatha (decoction)

**Standard Dosage:** Cooked greens: 50-100 g daily as food; Fresh juice: 20-40 mL twice daily; Powder: 3-5 g twice daily

**Bioavailability:** Betalains (betacyanins and betaxanthins) show moderate oral bioavailability (20-30%) with rapid absorption. Oxalic acid is highly bioavailable and can contribute to calcium oxalate kidney stone risk at high doses. [Saponins](/reference/saponins/) from Basella have low oral bioavailability (<10%) but act locally as mucosal demulcents. Iron and calcium bioavailability is moderate but reduced by the high oxalate content; co-administration with vitamin C improves iron absorption.

**Optimal Timing:** With meals as food; fresh juice in morning on empty stomach for nutritive effect

**Standardized Extract:** Freeze-dried powder preserving >70% of fresh betalain content; hydroethanolic extract standardized to >2% total saponins (by gravimetric hemolytic method)

**Shelf Life:** Fresh greens: 2-3 days refrigerated; Freeze-dried powder: 18 months; Spray-dried powder: 12-18 months; Capsules: 24 months

**Storage:** Fresh material at 4-8 deg C in perforated bags. Dried products in airtight, light-resistant, moisture-proof containers at 15-25 deg C. Betalain-containing products in opaque packaging.

**Marker Compounds:** Basellasaponin A, Basellasaponin B, Betacyanin, Betaxanthin, [Rutin](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#rutin), [Kaempferol](/reference/kaempferol/), beta-[Sitosterol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sitosterol), Oxalic acid

### Extraction Methods

- Aqueous extraction (cooking/decoction)
- Cold pressing for juice
- Hydroethanolic extraction (40-60% ethanol)
- Freeze drying for color-preserving powder

### Synergistic Combinations

- Amalaki - vitamin C enhances iron absorption from Upodika
- Shunthi - digestive enhancement and anti-emetic synergy
- [Ghrita](/herb/ghrita/) (ghee) - vehicle for enhanced nutrient absorption and Pitta reduction
- [Mudga](/glossary/concepts-m-y/#mudga) (mung bean) - light, nutritious combination in convalescence diets

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

## 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.