Jyotishmati (intellect tree)
Celastrus paniculatus
Photo credit: Vinayaraj
Safety information
Safety information
Toxicity: Seed oil is heating and can cause GI irritation/burning in excess; seeds have anti-fertility/abortifacient activity in animal studies.
Contraindications: Pregnancy — avoid (antifertility/abortifacient seed activity); hyperacidity/pitta states (heating oil — caution).
Interactions: Theoretical additive with CNS-active/cholinergic drugs; caution with antifertility/hormone agents.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Avoid in pregnancy — antifertility/abortifacient seed activity.
Evidence level
Supported by laboratory or animal studies; not yet confirmed in humans.
Preparations
seed powder · seed
Part used: seed
in Medhya/nervine formulas · seed
Part used: seed
seed oil (Jyotishmati taila) · seed
Part used: seed
Traditional use: memory, cognition, neuralgia, joint pain, brain tonic
Proposed mechanism: sesquiterpene polyol esters (celastrine, paniculatine, malkanguniol), fatty seed oil — cholinergic/cognition-enhancing, antioxidant, neuroprotective, analgesic
Associated conditions
Nutritional notes
Not a food source.
Healing traditions
Sources (3)
- Lekha 2022, J Complement Integr Med / review (PMID 35199395)
- Godkar 2022, neuroprotective review (PMID 35005853)
- Nalini 1995, J Ethnopharmacol (PMID 7500635)