Rajasthani Khejri Tree (Prosopis cineraria): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Questions fréquentes

How does Khejri tree help lower blood sugar?

Khejri (Prosopis cineraria) contains flavonoids and alkaloids that may help regulate blood glucose levels through multiple pathways. These compounds appear to enhance insulin sensitivity and may slow carbohydrate absorption in the digestive tract. Traditional Rajasthani medicine has used Khejri leaves for blood sugar management for generations. However, clinical evidence remains limited (Level C), and the precise mechanism requires further scientific investigation. Consult a healthcare provider before using Khejri alongside conventional diabetes treatments.

Can I take Khejri with diabetes medications?

Khejri may interact with diabetes medications and requires caution. Because it has blood sugar-lowering properties, taking Khejri alongside antidiabetic drugs like metformin, sulfonylureas, or insulin may cause additive effects, potentially leading to hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar). If you are currently on diabetes medication, consult your healthcare provider before adding Khejri to your regimen. Regular blood glucose monitoring is essential if combining this herb with conventional diabetes treatment.

What is the recommended dosage of Khejri for medicinal use?

The traditional adult dosage of Khejri is 3-6 grams of dried leaf or bark, prepared as a decoction. This involves boiling the plant material in water, then straining before consumption. Due to limited clinical studies, standardized dosing guidelines are not established. Beginners should start with lower doses and monitor for effects. Always consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner or healthcare provider for personalized dosing recommendations based on your specific health condition.

Is Khejri safe to use during pregnancy?

No, Khejri (Prosopis cineraria) is not considered safe during pregnancy and should be avoided. Traditional use and available evidence indicate it may pose risks to pregnant women. The herb contains bioactive compounds including tryptamines and beta-carbolines that may affect uterine function or fetal development. Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy should avoid Khejri entirely and consult their healthcare provider for safer alternatives.

What are the side effects of Khejri tree supplements?

Khejri is generally well-tolerated at recommended doses, but some users may experience mild gastrointestinal upset, including nausea, bloating, or stomach discomfort. These effects are typically temporary and often resolve with continued use or dose reduction. More serious side effects are rare but possible, particularly with excessive doses or when combined with certain medications. If you experience persistent or severe symptoms, discontinue use and consult a healthcare professional.

Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed

Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.

Compilé à partir de 30 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b

Résumé

Prosopis cineraria, known as 'khejri' or 'Ghaf', is a leguminous tree native to arid regions of Asia used in traditional medicine for various clinical properties [PMID:29086686, PMID:41095111].

Contexte

Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce is a mimosoid legume and keystone species found in the arid and semi-arid regions of the Indian subcontinent, West Asia, and the Arabian Peninsula [PMID:29086686, PMID:35955640, PMID:41095111]. It is referred to as 'Kalp Taru' or 'Wonder Tree' in India due to the utility of all its parts [PMID:29086686].

Usages traditionnels

In the Indian Ayurvedic system, it is used to treat leprosy, leucoderma, dysentery, asthma, bronchitis, piles, jaundice, and muscular tremors [PMID:29086686]. Local populations in the Thar Desert use it for treating memory disorders and to arrest wandering of the mind [PMID:22906223].

Composés actifs

Phytochemicals include flavone derivatives (prosogerin A-E), alkaloids (spicigerine, prosophylline), tannins (gallic acid), steroids (stigmasterol, campesterol, sitosterol), and amino acids [PMID:29086686]. Edible pods contain antioxidant flavonoids and isoflavonoids such as vitexin, puerarin, phloridzin, and daidzein [PMID:35198738].

Mécanisme d'action

The stem bark extract demonstrates anticholinesterase activity by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in brain regions including the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala [PMID:22906223]. Vitexin isolated from leaves induces apoptosis in K-562 leukemia cells by inhibiting the BCR-ABL-Ras-Raf pathway [PMID:34109977]. Pod extracts inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme key to cholesterol biosynthesis [PMID:31931807].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve DHypercholesterolemia

Ethanolic extract of pods inhibited HMG-CoA reductase by 67.1% in vitro and showed potential for regression of atherosclerotic plaques in rabbits [PMID:31931807]

Preuve DCognitive Impairment/Memory Disorders

Methanol extract of stem bark showed nootropic activity in rats via Morris water-maze testing and AChE inhibition [PMID:22906223]; ethyl acetate fraction of bark ameliorated AlCl3-induced Alzheimer's pathology in rats [PMID:41421404]

Preuve DBacterial Diarrhea

Aqueous bark extract (400 mg/kg) reduced defecation frequency by 57.29% and inhibited charcoal meal transit by 89.11% in rats [PMID:40726568]

Preuve BLipid Profile (Athletes)

Khejri was used as a dietary supplement (500 mg daily) in cricket players to investigate effects on lipid profile and physical fitness [PMID:36726398]

Preuve DLeukemia (K-562 cells)

Vitexin isolated from leaves exhibited cytotoxicity by reducing mitochondrial membrane potential and causing DNA fragmentation [PMID:34109977]

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Monitoring of essential and toxic elements in leaves, branches, and stems has been conducted to assess health risks for pharmaceutical use [PMID:32212045].

Synthèse des preuves

The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies and animal models (rats, rabbits, mice), with one small-scale clinical trial in athletes. Most findings are preclinical (Level D).

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 29086686 (2018) — Ethnopharmacological and Phytopharmaceutical Evaluation of Prosopis cineraria: An Overview and Future Prospects. · Current drug metabolism
2.PMID: 35955640 (2022) — The Genome of the Mimosoid Legume Prosopis cineraria, a Desert Tree. · International journal of molecular sciences
3.PMID: 22906223 (2012) — Prosopis cineraria: a potential nootropic agent. · Pharmaceutical biology
4.PMID: 41095111 (2025) — Population Genomics and Genetic Diversity of Prosopis cineraria in the United Arab Emirates: Insights for Conservation in Arid Ecosystems. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
5.PMID: 31931807 (2020) — Phytoconstituents of an ethanolic pod extract of Prosopis cineraria triggers the inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase and the regression of atherosclerotic plaque in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

Rajasthani Khejri Tree

Sources et citations

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