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.
Mahua (Madhuca longifolia) contains bioactive compounds including quercetin, myricetin, and saponins that may help regulate blood glucose. These compounds demonstrate antioxidant properties that may protect pancreatic beta cells and improve insulin sensitivity. Saponins may also slow carbohydrate absorption in the digestive tract. However, current evidence is limited to preliminary research (Evidence Level C), and well-designed clinical trials are needed to confirm these mechanisms in humans.
Can Mahua interact with diabetes medications?
Yes, Mahua has potential interactions with antidiabetic medications. Due to its blood sugar-lowering effects, combining Mahua with diabetes drugs like metformin, sulfonylureas, or insulin may cause additive hypoglycemic effects, potentially leading to dangerously low blood glucose levels. Patients taking diabetes medications should consult their healthcare provider before using Mahua and should monitor blood glucose levels closely if use is approved.
What is the recommended dosage for Mahua?
Traditional adult dosages for Mahua are 5-10 grams of dried flowers or 2-4 grams of bark prepared as a decoction, typically taken once or twice daily. These recommendations are based on traditional use rather than standardized clinical trials (Evidence Level C). Dosage may vary depending on the specific condition being addressed. Always start with the lowest effective dose and consult a qualified healthcare practitioner for personalized guidance.
Is Mahua safe to use during pregnancy?
No, Mahua is contraindicated during pregnancy and should be avoided. Traditional knowledge and available evidence indicate it is unsafe for pregnant women. The plant contains bioactive compounds that may adversely affect pregnancy outcomes. Additionally, fermented Mahua products pose additional risks due to alcohol content. Women who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding should not use Mahua in any form. Consult a healthcare provider for safer alternatives.
What are the traditional uses of Mahua flowers?
Mahua flowers have been used traditionally by Indian tribal communities for centuries. The flowers are consumed as food and are fermented to produce alcoholic beverages. Medicinally, they have been used to support management of diabetes, bronchitis, and tonsillitis. The bark is also used for skin conditions. These uses are primarily based on traditional knowledge (Evidence Level C) rather than rigorous clinical validation. The flowers are rich in beta-carotene and have nutritional as well as therapeutic applications.
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
Madhuca longifolia, commonly known as Mahua, is an evergreen tree native to South Asia used traditionally for food and medicine [PMID:39000329, PMID:40612792]. It is recognized for its anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and antimicrobial properties [PMID:39009828].
Background
Madhuca longifolia (Sapotaceae) is an economically important tree growing throughout the subtropical region of the Indo-Pak subcontinent, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka [PMID:27407181, PMID:39000329].
Traditional uses
Traditional uses include treating fever, inflammation, rheumatism, ulcers, epilepsy, diabetes, impotence, skin ailments, heart diseases, cough, and nerve disorders [PMID:33656414, PMID:39009828, PMID:40612792, PMID:42206180]. Twigs are used as chewing sticks to maintain healthy gums [PMID:38348007], and the bark is used as a paste for cuts and wounds or as a decoction for diabetes [PMID:37928037]. Flowers are used as a tonic, appetizer, galactagogue, and carminative agent [PMID:40612792].
Active compounds
Active constituents include Ascorbic acid, Riboflavin, Pantothenic acid, (4R)-2beta,3beta,23-trihydroxy-oleana-5,12-dien-28-oic acid, Quercetin, Nicotinic acid, and Bassiaic acid [PMID:39009828]. The flowers contain flavonoids, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, carotenoids, tannins, and saponins [PMID:31882088, PMID:42241758]. The seed oil contains palmitic (19%), stearic (15%), oleic (42%), and linoleic (24%) fatty acids [PMID:2272556].
Mechanism of action
In diabetic models, a hydroethanolic fraction of leaves may reverse mitochondrial dysfunction and modulate selective GLUT expression [PMID:38270737]. Bark extracts have been shown to induce apoptosis and increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in melanoma cells [PMID:39000329].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DOral Bacteria (Streptococcus mutans)
Stem extract demonstrated antibacterial activity against S. mutans in vitro [PMID:38348007]
Evidence DGastric Toxicity (Diclofenac-induced)
Aqueous leaf extract showed ameliorative activity against diclofenac-administered toxicity in rat stomach and intestine [PMID:33656414]
Evidence DRenal Cancer (DEN-induced)
Biofabricated silver nanoparticles using aqueous leaf extract attenuated renal cancer in rats by regulating oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines [PMID:32914714]
Evidence DMelanoma
Ethanol extract from the bark exhibited potent cytotoxic activity and sensitized human melanoma cells to dacarbazine in vitro [PMID:39000329]
Evidence DColon Carcinoma
Aqueous ethanolic bark extract exhibited potent cytotoxic effects in human colon cancer cells and showed synergy with SN-38 [PMID:42206180]
Evidence DDiabetes/Obesity
Safety & adverse effects
Silver nanoparticles derived from M. longifolia aqueous leaf extract showed safety in renal histopathology in rat models [PMID:32914714].
Drug interactions
Bark extract may potentiate the activity of the chemotherapeutic drug dacarbazine [PMID:39000329].
Evidence summary
The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies and animal models (Level D), with some review articles (Level C) discussing traditional uses and nutritional properties. There are no human clinical trials (Level B) or meta-analyses (Level A) provided.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 27407181 (2016) — Functional characteristics, nutritional value and industrial applications of Madhuca longifolia seeds: an overview. · Journal of food science and technology
2.PMID: 38348007 (2024) — Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity of Madhuca longifolia (Mahua) Stem Extract Against Streptococcus mutans: An In Vitro Study. · Cureus
3.PMID: 41028891 (2025) — Sustainable carbon quantum dots from Mahua (Madhuca longifolia) for biomedical and environmental applications. · Scientific reports
4.PMID: 39009828 (2024) — Network Pharmacology Reveals Key Targets and Pathways of Madhuca longifolia for Potential Alzheimer's Disease Treatment. · Cell biochemistry and biophysics
5.PMID: 33656414 (2021) — Ameliorative activity of aqueous leaf extract from Madhuca longifolia against diclofenac-administered toxicity on rat stomach and intestine.
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.
Hydroethanolic fraction of leaves reversed mitochondrial dysfunction and modulated GLUT expression in high-fat diet induced diabetic mice [PMID:38270737]
· Journal of histotechnology
6.PMID: 32829452 (2020) — Influence of Pre-Drying Treatments on Physico-Chemical and Phytochemical Potential of Dried mahua Flowers. · Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
7.PMID: 37928037 (2023) — Bassia longifolia (= Madhuca longifolia): Isolation of flavan-3-ols and their contribution to the antibacterial and antidiabetic activity in vitro. · Heliyon
8.PMID: 36587443 (2023) — Physicochemical and antioxidative properties of ultrasound-assisted extraction of mahua (Madhuca longifolia) seed oil in comparison with conventional Soxhlet and mechanical extractions. · Ultrasonics sonochemistry
9.PMID: 31882088 (2020) — Nutraceutical potential of tree flowers: A comprehensive review on biochemical profile, health benefits, and utilization. · Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)
10.PMID: 32034595 (2021) — Effective utilization of mahua oil blended with optimum amount of Al2O3 and TiO2 nanoparticles for better performance in CI engine. · Environmental science and pollution research international
11.PMID: 38724843 (2024) — Production and testing of mahua oil-based biodiesel synthesized through heterogeneous catalyst using experimental and numerical method. · Environmental science and pollution research international
12.PMID: 2272556 (1990) — Reproductive toxicology and nutritional studies on mahua oil (Madhuca latifolia). · Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association
13.PMID: 38270737 (2024) — Madhuca longifolia-hydro-ethanolic-fraction reverses mitochondrial dysfunction and modulates selective GLUT expression in diabetic mice fed with high fat diet. · Molecular biology reports
14.PMID: 42206180 (2026) — Madhuca longifolia bark extract as an adjunct to the treatment of colon carcinoma cells with SN-38: a synergistic combination with potent activity. · Frontiers in pharmacology
15.PMID: 17584466 (2007) — Bacterial synthesis of poly(hydroxybutyrate- co-hydroxyvalerate) using carbohydrate-rich mahua (Madhuca sp.) flowers. · Journal of applied microbiology
16.PMID: 42264252 (2026) — Mahua (Madhuca longifolia) deoiled seed cake as a sustainable protein source: Nutritional composition, antinutritional factors, protein extraction strategies, functional properties and food applications. · International journal of biological macromolecules
17.PMID: 32914714 (2021) — Madhuca longifolia Embedded Silver Nanoparticles Attenuate Diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-Induced Renal Cancer via Regulating Oxidative Stress. · Current drug delivery
18.PMID: 39000329 (2024) — Pretreatment of Melanoma Cells with Aqueous Ethanol Extract from Madhuca longifolia Bark Strongly Potentiates the Activity of a Low Dose of Dacarbazine. · International journal of molecular sciences
19.PMID: 40612792 (2025) — Exploring the bioactive-based therapeutic and culinary potential of Madhuca longifolia flower and delineating the research gaps in terms of scientific validation. · Journal of food science and technology
20.PMID: 42241758 (2026) — A confirmation test for the presence of Quillaja saponin and adulteration with Madhuca saponin in poultry feed using high-performance liquid chromatography and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. · Poultry science