Talk:Jati
| Section/Chapter | Herb database/Jati |
|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Myristica fragrans Houtt. |
| Family | Myristicaceae |
| Availability | Available |
| Contributors | Team Dravyaguna |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | Awaited |
Myristica fragrans Houtt., popularly known as Jati or Nutmeg, is an evergreen tree native to the Moluccas (Spice Islands) of Indonesia. It is widely valued in Ayurveda for its aromatic, carminative, and stimulant properties, providing two distinct spices from the same fruit: nutmeg (seed) and mace (aril).
English name
Nutmeg
Therapeutic uses
Atisara (Diarrhoea), swasa (dyspnea), chardi (vomiting), pinasa (rhinitis), grahani, mukharoga, sukrameha[1]
Synonyms in Charak Samhita
Jati, Sumana
Synonyms in bhavprakasa nighantu
Jatikosha, malatiphala[2]
Ayurvedic pharmacological properties
| Sr.no. | Pharmacological criteria | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taste (rasa) | Bitter (tikta), Pungent (katu) |
| 2 | Potency (veerya) | Hot (ushna) |
| 3 | Post digestion effect (vipaka) | Pungent (katu) |
| 4 | Qualities (guna) | Light (laghu), Sharp (tikshna) |
| 5 | Actions (karma) | Pacify Kapha and Vata |
Reference in Charak Samhita and its actions
| Sr.no. | Reference in Charak Samhita | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 3/4 | Siddhatama churna pradeha (local application) |
| 2 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(13) | Kushthaghna (anti-dermatosis) mahakashaya |
| 3 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 5/77 | Mukha dharya dravya (Mouth fresheners) |
| 4 | Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/143 | Tiktaskandha (group of bitter drugs) |
| 5 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 2/3/26 | As a mood enhancing |
| 6 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/207 | Used in Vibadhdha dosha |
| 7 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/57 | For Scrapping |
| 8 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/94 | Bahyaprayogarth (external application) Lepa in Kushtha |
| 9 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/111 | Ingredient in Kanakakshiri Taila |
| 10 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 15/135 | As an ingredient of Kiratadhya churna (Pittaja Grahani chiktsa) |
| 11 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 23/56 | As an ingredient of Mrita sanjivani agada |
| 12 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/145 | Used as nasya in Pakva peenasa |
| 13 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/184 | Used in Kaphaja Siroroga for Pradhamana nasya |
| 14 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/205 | Used for mukhadhavna |
| 15 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/241 | As an ingredient of Sumanakorkadi varti |
| 16 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/245 | As an ingredient of Amrutadi varti |
Dose
- 0.5-1.0 gm of the drug in powder form[1]
Important formulation
As per A.P.I.[1]
- Jatiphaladi churna
Current availability
Available
- In India – Cultivated in southern parts of India including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
- Out of India – Native to the Moluccas (Spice Islands) of Indonesia; cultivated widely across tropical Asia, Grenada, and tropical regions globally.
Current researches
https://cb.imsc.res.in/imppat/phytochemical/Myristica%20fragrans
Phytochemical Composition
The diverse therapeutic profile of *Myristica fragrans* Houtt. stems from its rich secondary metabolite concentration across its seed and aril:
- Volatile Essential Oils: Abundant in sabinene, 4-terpineol, myristicin, elemicin, and safrole.
- Lignans and Neolignans: High concentrations of macelignan and meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid.
- Phenolic Compounds & Terpenoids: Eugenol derivatives and various flavonoids contributing to cellular protection.
Pharmacological Activities & Therapeutic Efficacy
Gastrointestinal and Antidiarrheal Efficacy
Traditionally indicated in *Atisara* (diarrhoea) and *Grahani*, modern pharmacological research confirms its regulatory effects on bowel motility.
- Mechanism: It suppresses colonic smooth muscle hypermotility and inhibits mucosal prostaglandin synthesis, thereby reducing fluid loss.
- Scientific Evidence: Experimental studies show that extracts exhibit significant anti-secretory and antidiarrheal activities, validating classical descriptions.[3]
Neuroprotective and Nootropic Properties
Aligning with classical indications as a brain tonic and mood enhancer, modern findings support its cognitive benefits.
- Mechanism: Active constituents like myristicin and macelignan act as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and protect against neuroinflammation by reducing glial cell activation.
- Scientific Evidence: Administration of plant extracts significantly attenuates oxidative stress markers and improves spatial memory deficits in animal models.[4]
Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Actions
Utilized traditionally for local pain relief and inflammatory ailments, experimental models confirm these systemic benefits.
- Mechanism: Essential oil components inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) pathways and reduce the peripheral release of pain-signaling neuropeptides.
- Scientific Evidence: Topical and systemic evaluations demonstrate marked antinociceptive and anti-oedematogenic responses.[5]
Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties
- Mechanism: Phenolic constituents and terpene fractions disrupt microbial cell membrane integrity and neutralize reactive oxygen species.
- Scientific Evidence: Extracts demonstrate potent inhibitory efficacy against various pathogenic bacterial strains alongside high free-radical scavenging capacity.[6]
Safety, Toxicity, and Dosage
- Safety Profile: While standard therapeutic doses are safe, excessive ingestion (exceeding 5g) can cause acute toxicity symptoms including palpitations, nausea, tachycardia, and central nervous system disturbances driven by myristicin and elemicin fractions.
- Standard Dosage: 0.5–1.0 g of the drug in powder form (*Churna*).
Summary of Therapeutic Profile
| Indication / Activity | Active Biomolecules | Primary Pharmacological Action |
|---|---|---|
| Diarrhoea / Grahani | Tannins, fixed oils, eugenol | Inhibition of intestinal motility and fluid secretion |
| Cognitive / Nootropic | Myristicin, macelignan | Acetylcholinesterase inhibition, neuroprotection |
| Anti-inflammatory / Pain | Sabinene, 4-terpineol, myristic acid | COX-2 inhibition, reduction of inflammation |
| Antimicrobial | Eugenol, essential oil constituents | Cell wall disruption, pathogen inhibition |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 1 :34
- ↑ Pro. Krushnachandra Chunekar, Bhavaprakash Nighantu. Reprint Edition 2020, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, karpuradi varga, verse no.-54
- ↑ Hilal, E. Y.; Susilo (2023). "An update on the pharmacology, phytochemistry, and toxicity of Myristica fragrans Houtt. as a source of treatment: A scoping review". Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science. 13 (7): 081–092.
- ↑ Asgarpanah, J.; Kazemivash, N. (2012). "Phytochemistry and pharmacologic properties of Myristica fragrans Houtt.: A review". African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 6 (16): 1276–1282.
- ↑ Tajuddin; Ahmad, S.; Latif, A.; Qasmi, I. A. (2003). "Effect of 50% ethanolic extract of Myristica fragrans Houtt. (nutmeg) and Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & Perry. (clove) on sexual behaviour in male rats". BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 3: 6.
- ↑ Gopalakrishnan, V.; Devi, K. (2011). "Evaluation of antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Myristica fragrans extract". International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 3 (4): 152–155.
This article is under development ..