Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Vrikshamla

Garcinia indica (Thouars) Choisy (also includes reference to Garcinia cambogia/gummi-gutta)

Vrikshamla (Garcinia indica (Thouars) Choisy (also includes reference to Garcinia cambogia/gummi-gutta)) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Clusiaceae (Guttiferae) family. Garcinia cambogia (G. [Pharmacological Activity of Garcinia indica (Kokum): An Updated Review](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34959738/).

Key facts
Botanical nameGarcinia indica (Thouars) Choisy (also includes reference to Garcinia cambogia/gummi-gutta)
FamilyClusiaceae (Guttiferae)
OrderMalpighiales
Pharmacopoeia statusGarcinia cambogia (G. gummi-gutta) is under regulatory scrutiny in multiple countries (Health Canada, TGA Australia, France) due to hepatotoxicity reports. G. indica (kokum) is listed in Indian food regulatory frameworks and Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia. WHO adverse drug reaction database contains hepatotoxicity case reports for Garcinia/HCA.
Taxon identifiersGBIF 3189566 · Wikidata Q2095514 · NCBI Taxonomy 547469

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishVrikshamla
Latin/BotanicalGarcinia indica (Thouars) Choisy (also includes reference to Garcinia cambogia/gummi-gutta)

Key Phytochemical Constituents

  • Hydroxycitric acid (HCA)
  • Garcinol (polyisoprenylated benzophenone)
  • Isogarcinol
  • Cyanidin-3-sambubioside
  • Cyanidin-3-glucoside (anthocyanins)
  • Hydroxycitric acid lactone
  • Citric acid
  • Cambogic acid
  • Xanthochymol
  • Kokum butter (stearic acid-rich fat)

How does it work?

  • Anti-obesity action via HCA-mediated inhibition of ATP-citrate lyase (ACL), blocking de novo fatty acid synthesis and suppressing appetite
  • Anticancer activity via garcinol-mediated HAT inhibition, NF-kB suppression and induction of apoptosis through mitochondrial pathway
  • Anti-inflammatory effects through garcinol-mediated inhibition of COX-2, iNOS, NF-kB and STAT3 signaling cascades
  • Cardioprotective action via antioxidant phenolics protecting against lipid peroxidation and endothelial dysfunction

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Anti-obesity and weight management use partially validated through HCA-mediated lipogenesis inhibition in preclinical models; clinical evidence is mixed
  • Digestive and carminative use validated through gastroprotective and anti-ulcerogenic studies
  • Anti-inflammatory use confirmed through garcinol-mediated COX-2 and LOX inhibition in preclinical models
  • Cardioprotective use supported by antioxidant and anti-hyperlipidemic effects in high-fat diet animal models

What do recent clinical trials show?

1 further claim previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and has been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • CRITICAL: Garcinia cambogia (G. gummi-gutta) supplements have been associated with severe hepatotoxicity (34 cases, 1 death, 9 liver transplants); France suspended marketing of G. cambogia supplements in 2025. G. indica also contains HCA and cross-contamination/substitution risk exists.
  • Kokum fruit rind and kokum butter (G. indica) are traditionally consumed as food in India and are generally well-tolerated at culinary doses. USP recommends cautionary labeling for HCA-containing supplements.

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

  • Garcinol
  • Anthocyanins
  • Citric Acid
  • Stearic Acid
  • Hydroxycitric acid
  • Isogarcinol
  • Cyanidin-3-sambubioside
  • Cyanidin-3-glucoside
  • Hydroxycitric acid lactone
  • Cambogic acid
  • Xanthochymol
  • Kokum butter

Analytical Methods: HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (fruit rind powder), Capsule, Tablet, Extract (concentrated), Syrup, Kwatha (decoction)

Standard Dosage: 500 mg-1.5 g fruit rind powder or standardized extract twice daily before meals; 250-500 mg HCA (hydroxycitric acid) twice daily for weight management

Bioavailability: (-)-Hydroxycitric acid (HCA), the primary bioactive, has good oral bioavailability (~50-60%) as a water-soluble organic acid. Calcium and potassium salts of HCA have better stability and bioavailability than free HCA. HCA inhibits ATP-citrate lyase and is rapidly absorbed from the GI tract (Tmax 1-2 hours). Garcinol (polyisoprenylated benzophenone) has low oral bioavailability (<10%) due to poor solubility and extensive metabolism; nanoparticle formulations improve this 5-8 fold.

Optimal Timing: 30-60 minutes before meals for weight management (HCA acts on appetite and lipogenesis); avoid on empty stomach if GI-sensitive

Standardized Extract: Standardized extract containing 50-60% (-)-HCA (as calcium-potassium salt) by HPLC; garcinol >1% in non-HCA-focused extracts; free HCA lactone <10% (stability indicator)

Shelf Life: Fruit rind: 18-24 months; HCA salt powder: 24-36 months; Capsules/Tablets: 24-36 months; Free HCA extract: 12-18 months (lactonization risk)

Storage: Store in airtight containers at 15-25 deg C, protected from moisture and heat. HCA salts more stable than free acid. Avoid storage above 30 deg C to prevent lactonization. Protect from humidity (HCA salts are hygroscopic).

Marker Compounds: (-)-Hydroxycitric acid (HCA), Garcinol, Isogarcinol, Xanthochymol, Isoxanthochymol, Citric acid, Camboginol, Guttiferone

Extraction Methods

  • Aqueous extraction of fruit rind
  • Hydroethanolic extraction (40-60% ethanol)
  • Calcium/potassium hydroxide treatment for HCA salt formation
  • Spray drying for standardized HCA powder
  • Supercritical CO2 for garcinol extraction

Synergistic Combinations

  • Triphala - digestive and metabolic synergy for weight management
  • Guggulu - lipid-lowering combination
  • Meshashringi/Gudmar (Gymnema sylvestre) - appetite control and glycemic management
  • Trikatu - bioenhancer and thermogenic combination
  • Green tea extract - complementary thermogenic and lipogenic inhibition

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Other clinical studies and reviews7

  1. van Breemen RB, Roe AL, Akhtar N. 2025. Hepatotoxicity of dietary supplements containing Garcinia gummi-gutta (L.) N. RobsonPharmaceutical biology. PMID 41262061 · doi:10.1080/13880209.2025.2591467
  2. Desai S, Sharma P, Kashyap P and others. 2022. Bioactive compounds, bio-functional properties, and food applications of Garcinia indica: A reviewJournal of food biochemistry. PMID 35933691 · doi:10.1111/jfbc.14344
  3. Lim SH, Lee HS, Lee CH and others. 2021. Pharmacological Activity of Garcinia indica (Kokum): An Updated ReviewPharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 34959738 · doi:10.3390/ph14121338
  4. Aggarwal V, Tuli HS, Kaur J and others. 2020. Garcinol Exhibits Anti-Neoplastic Effects by Targeting Diverse Oncogenic Factors in Tumor CellsBiomedicines. PMID 32365899 · doi:10.3390/biomedicines8050103
  5. Schobert R, Biersack B. 2019. Chemical and Biological Aspects of Garcinol and Isogarcinol: Recent DevelopmentsChemistry & biodiversity. PMID 31386266 · doi:10.1002/cbdv.201900366
  6. Behera AK, Swamy MM, Natesh N and others. 2016. Garcinol and Its Role in Chronic DiseasesAdvances in experimental medicine and biology. PMID 27671827 · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-41334-1_18
  7. Jena BS, Jayaprakasha GK, Singh RP and others. 2002. Chemistry and biochemistry of (-)-hydroxycitric acid from GarciniaJournal of agricultural and food chemistry. PMID 11754536 · doi:10.1021/jf010753k

Laboratory and animal studies5

  1. Khurana M, Sharma S, Mahajan S and others. 2026. Garcinia indica: A Multifaceted Phytomedicine Bridging Nutrition and TherapyCurrent drug research reviews. PMID 42300313 · doi:10.2174/0125899775407817251208183704
  2. Li Z, Lin K, Wang Y and others. 2025. Garcinol promotes wound healing in diabetic mice by regulating inflammation and NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis via the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathwayInternational immunopharmacology. PMID 40022821 · doi:10.1016/j.intimp.2025.114352
  3. Murthy HN, Yadav GG, Kadapatti SS and others. 2023. Phytochemical Analysis, GC-MS Identification of Bioactive Compounds, and In Vitro Antioxidant Activities of Resin of Garcinia indica (Thouars) ChoisyApplied biochemistry and biotechnology. PMID 36705843 · doi:10.1007/s12010-023-04343-x
  4. Son SI, Su D, Ho TT and others. 2020. Garcinol Is an HDAC11 InhibitorACS chemical biology. PMID 33034447 · doi:10.1021/acschembio.0c00719
  5. Dhamija I, Parle M, Kumar S. 2017. Antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of Garcinia indica fruit rind via monoaminergic pathway3 Biotech. PMID 28593516 · doi:10.1007/s13205-017-0766-x

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