# Patha (Cissampelos pareira)

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/patha
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-04-04
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** Ayurveda
**Also Known As:** Cissampelos pareira, Cissampelos pareira L., C. pareira var. hirsuta, Velvet Leaf, Abuta, Ice Vine, Cissampelose, Pareira Brava

## Overview

Patha (Cissampelos pareira) is an Ayurvedic herb whose primary bioactive alkaloids — hayatine, cissampeline, and pelosine — exert [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation), antipyretic, and [antimicrobial](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) effects by modulating cyclooxygenase pathways and disrupting microbial cell membranes. It has been used in traditional medicine for fever, urinary disorders, and infections for centuries, with modern preclinical studies beginning to validate these mechanisms.

## Health Benefits

• Antipyretic (fever-reducing) effects demonstrated in animal models, with methanol root extracts showing significant activity compared to substitutes (preliminary evidence)
• [Antimicrobial](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) activity observed in preclinical studies, supporting traditional use for infections (preliminary evidence)
• Traditional use for stomach pain and digestive issues, though lacking clinical validation (traditional evidence only)
• Reported [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) and antidiabetic activities in preclinical reviews, requiring clinical trials for confirmation (preliminary evidence)
• Historical application for urinary problems and skin conditions in Ayurvedic medicine (traditional evidence only)

## Mechanism of Action

The bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids in Cissampelos pareira, particularly hayatine and cissampeline, inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme activity, reducing prostaglandin E2 synthesis and thereby producing antipyretic and [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) effects. Pelosine, a morphine-type alkaloid, may interact with opioid and muscarinic receptors, contributing to smooth [muscle relaxation](/ingredients/condition/sleep) and antispasmodic properties relevant to urinary tract applications. [Antimicrobial](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) activity is attributed to disruption of bacterial cell membrane integrity and inhibition of microbial enzyme systems, as demonstrated in methanol and ethanol root extracts against gram-positive and gram-negative organisms.

## Clinical Summary

The majority of evidence supporting Patha's therapeutic effects comes from in vitro and rodent-based preclinical studies rather than human clinical trials. Methanol root extracts administered to febrile rat models demonstrated statistically significant temperature reduction compared to control groups, with activity approaching that of standard antipyretic references in some assays. [Antimicrobial](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) disc diffusion studies have shown inhibitory zones against pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, though minimum inhibitory concentrations vary widely between studies. No large-scale randomized controlled human trials have been published to date, placing the overall evidence level as preliminary; conclusions cannot yet be extrapolated to standardized clinical use.

## Nutritional Profile

{"macronutrients": {"protein": "Not well-documented", "fiber": "Not well-documented"}, "micronutrients": {"vitamins": {"Vitamin C": "Trace amounts, specific concentration not well-documented"}, "minerals": {"Calcium": "Trace amounts, specific concentration not well-documented", "Iron": "Trace amounts, specific concentration not well-documented"}}, "bioactive_compounds": {"Alkaloids": "Cissampeline, concentration not well-documented", "Flavonoids": "Trace amounts, specific concentration not well-documented", "Tannins": "Trace amounts, specific concentration not well-documented"}, "bioavailability_notes": "Limited data on bioavailability; traditional use suggests some efficacy, but clinical validation is lacking."}

## Dosage & Preparation

No clinically studied dosage ranges are available due to absence of human trials. Preclinical toxicity studies used 1-2 g/kg/day orally of 50% aqueous ethanolic root extract for 28 days in rats without adverse effects. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Cissampelos pareira contains curare-like alkaloids, including hayatine, which exhibit neuromuscular blocking properties at higher doses, posing a theoretical risk of [muscle relaxation](/ingredients/condition/sleep) or respiratory depression if consumed in large quantities. Pregnancy is considered a contraindication in traditional Ayurvedic texts, and animal data suggest potential uterotonic activity, making use during pregnancy or breastfeeding inadvisable without medical supervision. Co-administration with anticoagulants, antihypertensives, or neuromuscular blocking agents used in anesthesia warrants caution due to possible additive or potentiating pharmacological interactions. Formal human safety trials are lacking, so individuals with liver or kidney conditions should consult a qualified practitioner before use.

## Scientific Research

No human clinical trials, RCTs, or meta-analyses have been conducted on Patha according to available research. All evidence is limited to preclinical animal and in vitro studies, with a comprehensive review explicitly calling for clinical trials to validate the reported pharmacological activities.

## Historical & Cultural Context

In Ayurveda, Patha roots (C. pareira var. hirsuta) have been used for centuries to treat stomach pain, fever, skin diseases, cardiac pain, urinary problems, and skin infections. It is recognized as a key herb in the Indian traditional medicine system, with roots fulfilling Ayurvedic pharmacopoeial claims for quality and efficacy.

## Synergistic Combinations

Turmeric, Ginger, Ashwagandha, Triphala, Boswellia

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What alkaloids are found in Cissampelos pareira and what do they do?

Cissampelos pareira contains bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids including hayatine, cissampeline, pelosine, and pareirarine. Hayatine exhibits COX-2 inhibitory and curare-like neuromuscular activity, cissampeline contributes to anti-inflammatory effects, and pelosine acts on opioid-adjacent pathways to produce antispasmodic and analgesic properties.

### Is Patha effective for reducing fever?

Preclinical studies using methanol extracts of Patha root in febrile rat models have demonstrated significant antipyretic activity, with some assays showing temperature reduction comparable to reference compounds. However, no peer-reviewed human clinical trials have confirmed this effect, so current evidence remains preliminary and restricted to animal models.

### What is Patha used for in Ayurveda?

In classical Ayurvedic medicine, Patha is classified as a tridoshic herb primarily used to treat fever (jwara), urinary tract disorders (mutrakrichra), skin diseases, and respiratory infections. It is listed in the Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita as part of formulations targeting ama (toxins) and kapha-pitta imbalances, often prepared as a decoction or powder.

### Are there any drug interactions with Cissampelos pareira?

The curare-like alkaloid hayatine may potentiate neuromuscular blocking agents used during anesthesia, creating a clinically relevant interaction risk. There is also a theoretical interaction with antihypertensive drugs due to the herb's vasodilatory alkaloids, and anticoagulant therapy may be affected given reported effects on platelet aggregation pathways in animal studies.

### Can pregnant women take Patha supplements?

Patha is generally contraindicated during pregnancy; Ayurvedic texts note its potential to stimulate uterine contractions, and animal studies have identified uterotonic alkaloid activity in root extracts. Breastfeeding women should also avoid supplementation due to the lack of safety data and the known bioactivity of its alkaloids in sensitive populations.

### What forms of Patha (Cissampelos pareira) are available, and which is most commonly used?

Patha is traditionally available as dried root powder, decoctions, and herbal extracts, with root decoctions being the most common preparation in Ayurvedic practice. Modern supplements typically offer standardized extracts or dried powder forms, though standardization levels vary significantly between products. The bioavailability of alkaloid content may differ between preparation methods, with traditional decoctions and concentrated extracts potentially offering different absorption profiles than simple powders.

### What does current clinical research show about Patha's effectiveness compared to conventional treatments?

Most evidence for Patha comes from traditional use and preclinical animal studies rather than robust human clinical trials, limiting definitive comparisons to conventional medicines. Antimicrobial and antipyretic effects have been demonstrated in laboratory and animal models, but human efficacy data remain preliminary and insufficient for regulatory health claims. More rigorous clinical research is needed to establish Patha's effectiveness relative to established pharmaceutical options for fever or infection.

### Who should avoid taking Patha supplements, and are there specific populations at higher risk?

Beyond pregnancy, limited human safety data makes it prudent for nursing mothers, children, and individuals with liver or kidney dysfunction to consult healthcare providers before use. People taking immunosuppressants or those with autoimmune conditions should exercise caution, as antimicrobial and immune-modulating properties (observed in preclinical studies) could theoretically interfere with treatment. Individuals with allergies to Menispermaceae family plants should avoid Patha due to potential cross-reactivity.

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