This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
Aerva lanata contains active compounds including flavonoids, saponins, and alkaloids that contribute to its anti-urolithiatic properties. The herb is believed to inhibit calcium oxalate crystal formation and promote the dissolution of existing stones. Its diuretic action increases urine output, which helps flush the urinary tract. Additionally, the plant exhibits anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that may support overall urinary tract health. Evidence Level: C (preclinical and traditional use data).
Does Aerva lanata interact with any medications?
There is limited clinical research on Aerva lanata drug interactions. Due to its diuretic properties, it may potentially enhance the effects of diuretic medications, leading to increased fluid loss and electrolyte imbalances. Patients taking lithium or medications affected by urinary pH changes should exercise caution. Always consult a healthcare provider before combining Aerva lanata with prescription medications. Evidence Level: C (theoretical based on mechanism).
What is the recommended dosage of Aerva lanata?
Traditional Ayurvedic practice recommends 5-10 grams of dried Aerva lanata herb prepared as a decoction, taken once or twice daily. Standardized extracts are typically dosed at 500mg twice daily. The herb is commonly prepared as a tea or taken in capsule form. Dosage should be adjusted based on individual tolerance and the specific condition being treated. Consult a qualified practitioner for personalized dosing. Evidence Level: Traditional.
Is Aerva lanata safe during pregnancy?
Aerva lanata is considered unsafe during pregnancy and should be avoided. The herb's strong diuretic properties and potential effects on smooth muscle may pose risks to fetal development and pregnancy maintenance. There is insufficient safety data for breastfeeding women, so avoidance is also recommended during lactation. Women who are pregnant or planning pregnancy should consult their healthcare provider before using any herbal supplements. Evidence Level: C.
What are the side effects of Aerva lanata?
Aerva lanata is generally well-tolerated when used at recommended doses. Reported side effects are mild and include increased urination due to its diuretic action and occasional nausea. Some individuals may experience gastrointestinal discomfort. The herb should be avoided in cases of severe kidney disease without medical supervision, as its effects on kidney function require monitoring. Discontinue use if adverse reactions occur. Evidence Level: C (traditional use and limited clinical data).
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Aerva lanata is a medicinal plant used in traditional systems like Ayurveda and Siddha for various therapeutic purposes, including the treatment of urolithiasis and respiratory issues [PMID:22279378, PMID:20979430].
Background
Aerva lanata (L.) Juss. ex Schult (family Amaranthaceae), locally known as 'bui', is an erect or prostrate undershrub with a long tap-root, found throughout India [PMID:22279378].
Traditional uses
Traditionally used for cough, sore throat, asthma [PMID:35143934], strangury, headache, and urolithiasis [PMID:22279378]. In Nigeria, it is used for lithiasis, renal disorder, haematemesis, bronchitis, nasal bleeding, scorpion stings, fractures, and spermatorrhoea [PMID:28668647]. It is also consumed as a tonic by pregnant women to relieve stomach pains and prevent miscarriage [PMID:37122890].
Active compounds
Phytochemical constituents include alkaloids (ervine, methylervine, ervoside, aervine, methylaervine, aervoside, ervolanine, and aervolanine), flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin, isorhamnetin, persinol, persinosides A and B), methyl grevillate, lupeol, lupeol acetate, benzoic acid, β-sitosteryl acetate, and tannic acid [PMID:22279378]. Other identified components include ferulic acid and β-carboline [PMID:24681590], as well as various steroids [PMID:23569807] and phenolic acids [PMID:34201147].
Mechanism of action
In allergic asthmatic mice, the ethyl acetate extract lowered levels of inflammatory modulator TNF-α and IgE antibodies, and reduced interleukin 4, 5, and 13 [PMID:35143934]. In osteosarcoma cell lines (Saos2), it exerts an oncolytic effect via the apoptotic signaling pathway [PMID:38738026]. It also demonstrates the ability to inhibit diabetes-related enzymes α-amylase and α-glucosidase [PMID:30356437].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DUrolithiasis
Isolated compounds quercetin and betulin significantly increased urine volume in ethylene glycol-induced urolithiasis rat models [PMID:29169771].
Evidence DAllergic Asthma
Ethyl acetate extract ameliorated the count of inflammatory cells in blood and broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in mice [PMID:35143934].
Evidence DType-II Diabetes
A partially purified alkaloid fraction from roots caused a significant reduction in serum glucose levels in rats [PMID:23527955].
Evidence DHepatotoxicity
Petroleum ether extractable fraction reversed histopathological changes and restored liver marker enzymes in CCl4-induced rat models [PMID:21783628].
Evidence DOsteosarcoma
Extract demonstrated a dose-dependent decrease in Saos2 cell proliferation [PMID:38738026].
Safety & adverse effects
In Ayurveda, Aerva lanata is not prescribed for long-term use due to beliefs that it may produce structural changes in the urinary tract leading to renal failure [PMID:23225960]. Sub-chronic toxicity tests in rats (40-1000mg/kg for 90 days) were conducted to evaluate its safety profile [PMID:28668647].
Pregnancy & lactation
Consumed as a tonic by pregnant women to relieve stomach pains and prevent miscarriage [PMID:37122890]; however, an experimental study in pregnant rats showed that high doses (1000 mg/kg) significantly reduced the number of pups per litter and indicated anti-fertility and anti-implantation activities [PMID:37122890].
Evidence summary
The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies and animal models (Level D), demonstrating significant pharmacological potential in anti-inflammatory, anti-urolithiatic, and anti-diabetic activities, but lacks human clinical trial data.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 35143934 (2022) — Immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of Aerva lanata in ovalbumin induced allergic asthmatic mice. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
2.PMID: 29169771 (2017) — Antiurolithiatic activity of natural constituents isolated from Aerva lanata. · Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine
3.PMID: 28460429 (2017) — Cardioprotective mechanisms of phytochemicals against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. · Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
4.PMID: 38738026 (2024) — The Oncolytic Effect of Aerva lanata on Osteosarcoma Cell Lines via the Apoptotic Signaling Pathway. · Cureus
5.PMID: 37122890 (2023) — Anti-fertility effect of Aerva lanata crude extract in male Dams offspring: An experimental study. · International journal of reproductive biomedicine
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
6.PMID: 34368407 (2021) — Potential drug leads for SARS-CoV2 from phytochemicals of Aerva lanata: a Machine Learning approach. · Virusdisease
7.PMID: 34201147 (2021) — Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anti-Diabetic Activity of Phenolic Acids Fractions Obtained from Aerva lanata (L.) Juss. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
8.PMID: 22279378 (2011) — Aerva lanata: A review on phytochemistry and pharmacological aspects. · Pharmacognosy reviews
9.PMID: 23225960 (2012) — Aerva lanata (Polpala): Its effects on the structure and function of the urinary tract. · Pharmacognosy research
10.PMID: 21783628 (2005) — Effect of Aerva lanata against hepatotoxicity of carbon tetrachloride in rats. · Environmental toxicology and pharmacology
11.PMID: 20979430 (2011) — Immunomodulatory and antitumor activity of Aerva lanata ethanolic extract. · Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology
12.PMID: 22557194 (2005) — COMPARISION OF DIURETIC ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF AERVA LANATA (Linn.) Juss. ex. Schult & AERVA TOMENTOSA Forsk. Family: AMARANTHACEAE. · Ancient science of life
13.PMID: 23569807 (2011) — Chromatographic finger print analysis of steroids in Aerva lanata L by HPTLC technique. · Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine
14.PMID: 29576701 (2018) — Evaluation of Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Antiurolithiatic Potential of Different Solvent Extracts of Aerva lanata Linn Flowers. · Pharmacognosy magazine
15.PMID: 11864768 (2002) — Antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity of Aerva lanata. · Fitoterapia
16.PMID: 24681590 (2014) — Reduction of hexavalent chromium using Aerva lanata L.: elucidation of reduction mechanism and identification of active principles. · Journal of hazardous materials
17.PMID: 23527955 (2013) — Antidiabetic activity of alkaloids of Aerva lanata roots on streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced type-II diabetes in rats. · Pharmaceutical biology
18.PMID: 24511712 (2013) — In vitro anti cancer activity of ethanol extract fractions of Aerva lanata L. · Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
19.PMID: 35930306 (2023) — Molecular dynamics and docking studies on potentially active natural phytochemicals for targeting SARS-CoV-2 main protease. · Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics
20.PMID: 41267656 (2025) — Biosynthesis of Nickel Nanoparticles Using Aqueous Aerva lanata Extract and Their Utilization in Antimicrobial Activity. · Luminescence : the journal of biological and chemical luminescence
21.PMID: 35209048 (2022) — LC-ESI-MS/MS Polyphenolic Profile and In Vitro Study of Cosmetic Potential of Aerva lanata (L.) Juss. Herb Extracts. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
22.PMID: 28668647 (2017) — Toxicological evaluation of the aqueous whole plant extract of Aerva lanata (l.) Juss. ex Schult (Amaranthaceae). · Journal of ethnopharmacology
23.PMID: 30356437 (2018) — Leaf Extracts of Aerva lanata Inhibit the Activities of Type 2 Diabetes-Related Enzymes and Possess Antioxidant Properties. · Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity