About
Mesua ferrea (Nagkesar) is a tropical evergreen tree (Family: Calophyllaceae) whose flowers, seeds, and seed oil are used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine and as a spice/flavouring in South and Southeast Asian cuisines. It is valued for its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antioxidant properties and is an ingredient in classical Ayurvedic formulations such as Chyavanprash and Brahma Rasayana.
Safety summary
Acute oral toxicity studies in rodents show no observable toxicity at up to 2,000 mg/kg body weight, and a 28-day subacute study (OECD 407) found no adverse effects on growth or haematological parameters at doses up to 1,000 mg/kg. No formal Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) has been established by EFSA, FDA, or WHO, reflecting its status as a traditional botanical rather than a regulated food additive. Research has screened Nagkesar for estrogenic and progestational activity, indicating a theoretical concern for pregnant women at high supplemental doses.
Regulatory landscape
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Spices listed by the Spices Board of India, including Nagkesar, may be used as food ingredients, supplements, or nutraceuticals under FSS (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Foods for Special Dietary Use, Foods for Special Medical Purpose, Functional Foods and Novel Foods) Regulations, 2016. Specific health benefit claims require prior FSSAI approval.source |
Who should approach with care
Research citations
- 1PubMed. Screening of Mesua ferrea (Nagkesar) for estrogenic and progestational activity in human and experimental models. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2PubMed. Exploring the potential antimalarial properties, safety profile, and phytochemical composition of Mesua ferrea Linn, 2024. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3PubMed. The genome sequence of Mesua ferrea and comparative demographic histories of forest trees, 2021. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4PubMed. Subacute toxicity study of the ethanolic extract of Mesua ferrea (L.) flowers in rats, 2020. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5PubMed. In-vivo antioxidant and immunomodulatory activity of mesuol isolated from Mesua ferrea L. seed oil, 2012. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
