Utpala
Utpala is a substance used in the Ayurvedic materia medica. Nuciferine and nornuciferine (aporphine alkaloids, if Nelumbo species) have good oral bioavailability (~35-45%). Flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol glycosides) undergo extensive Phase II metabolism with low systemic bioavailability (<15%) but gut microbiota conversion to bioactive aglycones.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Utpala |
Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)
| Property | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | Madhura, Kashaya | Primary taste |
| Guna (Quality) | Laghu, Snigdha | Physical quality |
| Virya (Potency) | Sheeta | Heating/Cooling effect |
| Vipaka (Post-digestive) | Madhura | 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), Kwatha (decoction), Svarasa (fresh juice), Capsule, Lepa (paste), Nasya (nasal drops), Eye drops (Netra Bindu)
Standard Dosage: 3-5 g powder twice daily; 50-100 mL decoction twice daily; Nasya: 2-4 drops per nostril
Bioavailability: Nymphayol (sterol) has moderate oral bioavailability (~20-30%), enhanced by lipid co-administration. Nuciferine and nornuciferine (aporphine alkaloids, if Nelumbo species) have good oral bioavailability (~35-45%). Flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol glycosides) undergo extensive Phase II metabolism with low systemic bioavailability (<15%) but gut microbiota conversion to bioactive aglycones. Intranasal delivery (Nasya) bypasses first-pass metabolism for CNS-active compounds.
Optimal Timing: Morning for Rasayana effect; Nasya in morning after sunrise; ophthalmic application as directed by physician
Standardized Extract: Hydroethanolic extract standardized to >0.5% nymphayol by HPLC; >2% total flavonoids (as quercetin equivalent); aromatic water (Arka) with characteristic floral bouquet
Shelf Life: Fresh flowers: 12-24 hours; Dried petals: 6-12 months; Powder: 12 months; Capsules: 24 months; Nasya oil: 12-18 months; Aromatic water: 6-12 months
Storage: Dried petals in airtight, light-resistant containers at 15-25 deg C. Nasya oil in amber glass at room temperature. Aromatic water refrigerated at 2-8 deg C. Freeze-dried material at 2-8 deg C for long-term storage.
Marker Compounds: Nymphayol, Nymphaeine, Quercetin, Kaempferol, Myricetin, Gallic acid, beta-Sitosterol, Nymphasterol
Extraction Methods
- Aqueous decoction
- Hydroethanolic extraction (50-60% ethanol)
- Cold maceration for delicate flower petals
- Supercritical CO2 extraction for steroidal fraction
- Distillation for aromatic water (Utpala Arka)
Synergistic Combinations
- Chandan (sandalwood) - cooling and Pitta-pacifying synergy
- Ushira (vetiver) - complementary cooling action
- Yashtimadhu (licorice) - soothing and anti-inflammatory combination
- Ghrita (ghee) - vehicle for ophthalmic and nasal preparations
Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.
Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.