PHALSA (GREWIA ASIATICA): AN UNDEREXPLORED FRUIT WITH EMERGING NUTRACEUTICAL AND THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL
Main Article Content
Keywords
Parushaka, Anticancerous, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Anthocyanins
Abstract
Background: Grewia asiatica Linn. (Phalsa), commonly known as Parushaka in Ayurvedic classics. It is an important nutritious and therapeutic fruit widely used in traditional systems of medicine. In Ayurveda manuscripts this fruit acts as anti-inflammatory, cardiotonic, nutritious, and protective, with significant relevance in dietetic and therapeutic practices.
Objective: This review highlights the nutritional composition, Ayurvedic attributes, and pharmacological activities of Grewia asiatica, reflecting its potential as a functional food and therapeutic applications.
Methods: Detailed information about the Phalsa (G. asiatica) has been searched from classical Ayurvedic literature, AYUSH Portal and Namaste Portal and contemporary scientific research focussing on phytochemistry, nutritional value, therapeutic potential by databases such as DHARA, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, PubMed Central, Medline, Springer, Google scholar, and Wiley.
Results: Phalsa (Grewia asiatica) fruits are rich in vitamins (A, B-complex, and C), minerals (Ca, Fe, K, Mg), dietary fibre, and bioactive phytochemicals including flavonoids, anthocyanins (particularly cyanidin-3-glucoside), sterols, tannins, and triterpenoids. In Ayurveda texts, Phalsa demonstrates Madhura, Amla, Kashaya rasa, and Sheeta veerya exhibiting Pittavatahara and Hridya properties. Preclinical as well as clinical studies show an extensive range of pharmacological properties, i.e. antioxidant, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, anticancer, immunomodulatory, and radioprotective effects.
Conclusion: Grewia asiatica represents a valuable integrative therapeutic fruit with rich in nutritional content with potent Ayurvedic properties and evidence-based pharmacological activities.
References
2. Dev R, Kannan V, Kumar MS, Dayal D, Patel R. Grewia species: diversity, distribution, traditional knowledge and utilization. In Wild Fruits: Composition, Nutritional Value and Products 2019 Dec 15 (pp. 395-426). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
3. Charaka Samhita. Sutrasthana, Annapana Vidhi Adhyaya, 27/128. Available from: http://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/echarak. Accessed Feb 15, 2026.
4. Sushruta Samhita. Sutrasthana, Annapanavidhi Adhyaya, 46/334. Available from: https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/esushruta/?mod=read&h=parUShaka. Accessed Feb 15, 2026.
5. Bhavaprakasha Nighantu. Purvakhanda, Amradiphala Varga, 7/82. Available from: https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/e-Nighantu/bhavaprakashanighantu/. Accessed Feb 15, 2026.
6. Dhanvantari Nighantu. Amradi Phala Varga, 6/62–63. Available from: https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/e-Nighantu/dhanvantarinighantu. Accessed Feb 15, 2026.
7. Kaur S, Shams R, Dash KK, Pandey VK, Shaikh AM, Harsányi E, Kovács B. Phytochemical and pharmacological characteristics of phalsa (Grewia asiatica L.): A comprehensive review. Heliyon. 2024 Jan 30;10(2).
8. Khan AS, Hussain A, Khan F. Nutritional importance of micronutrients in some edible wild and unconventional fruits. Journal of the Chemical Society of Pakistan. 2006 Dec 1;28(6):576-82.
9. Dave R, Rao TR, Nandane AS. RSM‐based optimization of edible‐coating formulations for preserving post‐harvest quality and enhancing storability of phalsa (Grewia asiatica L.). Journal of Food Processing and Preservation. 2016 Jun;40(3):509-20.
10. Xiao J, Kai G, Yamamoto K, Chen X. Advance in dietary polyphenols as α-glucosidases inhibitors: a review on structure-activity relationship aspect. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition. 2013 Jan 1;53(8):818-36.
11. Khatune NA, Rahman BM, Barman RK, Wahed MI. Antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant properties of ethanol extract of Grewia asiatica Linn. bark in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. BMC complementary and alternative medicine. 2016 Aug 18;16(1):295.
12. Akhtar N., Ihsan-ul-Haq, Mirza B. Phytochemical analysis and comprehensive evaluation of antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of 61 medicinal plant species. Arab. J. Chem. 2018;11(8):1223–1235. doi: 10.1016/j.arabjc.2015.01.013
13. Islary A, Sarmah J, Basumatary S. Proximate composition, mineral content, phytochemical analysis and in vitro antioxidant activities of a wild edible fruit (Grewia sapida Roxb. ex DC.) found in Assam of North-East India. J Invest Biochem. 2016 Apr 24;5(1):21-31.
14. Bhavprakash, Purvakhanda, Amradiphala varga, 7/82 Available from: https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/e- Nighantu/bhavaprakashanighantu/ [Last accessed on 2026 Feb 15].
15. Dattani KH, Patel DD, Marya B, Patel PD, Patel D, Suthar MP, Patel VP, Bothra SB. In-Vitro Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Methanolic Fruit Extract of Grewia Asiatica Using Mtt Assay. Inventi Impact: Ethnopharmacology. 2011 Jul 15.
16. Kakoti BB, Selvan VT, Manikandan L, Gupta M, Mazumder UK, Das B. Antitumor and in-viro activity of Grewia asiatica Linn.against Ehlrich’s ascites carcinoma cell lines. Pharmacologyonline 2011; 3:956-960
17. Das D, Mitra A, Datta D, Saha A, Hazra J. Evaluation of antipyretic and analgesic activity of Parusaka (Grewia asiatica Linn.): an indigenous Indian plant. International Journal of Research in Ayurveda & Pharmacy. 2012 Jul 1;3(4).
18. Mesaik MA, Ahmed A, Khalid AS, Jan S, Siddiqui AA, Perveen S, Azim MK. Effect of Grewia asiatica fruit on glycemic index and phagocytosis tested in healthy human subjects. Pak. J. Pharm. Sci. 2013 Jan 1;26(1):85-9.
19. Abidah P, Mohammad I, Fida M. Antihyerglycemic activity in Grewia asiatica, a comparative review. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2012; 4(1):210-13
20. Asghar MN, Khan IU, Sherin L, Ashfaq M. Evaulation of antioxidant activity of Grewia asiatica berry using 2, 2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) and N, N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine radical cations decolourization assays.
21. Marya B, Dattani KH, Patel DD, Patel PD, Patel D, Suthar MP, Patel VP, Bothara SB. In vitro cytotoxicity evaluation of aqueous fruit and leaf extracts of Grewia asiatica using MTT assay. Pharm. Chem. 2011; 3:282-7.
22. Sharma KV, Ahaskar M, Singh S, Sisodia R. Modulation of radiation induced biochemical alteration in Swiss albino mice by Grewia asiatica (phalsa). Pharmacologyonline. 2007; 1:46-54.
23. Yaqeen Z, Sohail T, Saleem M, Rehman ZU. Evaluation of antiemetic activities of alcoholic extract of Grewia asiatica in experimental model dog. Biological Sciences-PJSIR. 2008 Aug 28;51(4):212-5.
24. Sangita K, Avijit M, Shilpa P, Shivkanya J. Studies of the antifungal and antiviral activity of methanolic extract of leaves of Grewia asiatica. Pharmacognosy Journal. 2009 Oct 1;1(3).
25. Zia-Ul-Haq M, Shahid SA, Ahmed S, Qayum M, Khan I. Antiplatelet activity of methanol extract of G. asiatica L. leaves and Terminal lachebula Retz. fruits. J Med Plants Res 2012; 6: 2029-32
26. Singh S, Yadav AK. Evaluation of immunomodulatory activity of Grewia asiatica in laboratory animals. Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research. 2014;6(7):2820-6.
27. Mehmood A, Ishaq M, Usman M, Zhao L, Ullah A, Wang C. Nutraceutical perspectives and value addition of phalsa (Grewia asiatica L.): A review. Journal of Food Biochemistry. 2020 Jul;44(7):e13228.
Article Sidebar
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
All articles published in JPTCP are licensed under Copyright Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Dr. Vineeta Singh
Ph.D. Scholar, Dept. of Swasthavritta and Yoga, Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi – 221005 Orchid Id - 0000-0003-4885-856X
Dr. Mangalagowri V. Rao
Associate Professor, Dept. of Swasthavritta and Yoga, Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi – 221005 Orchid Id- 0000-0002-3549-3576
