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Botanical illustration of Staff Tree
MedicinalSourced entry

Staff Tree

Celastrus paniculatus

Jyotishmati, an Ayurvedic climbing shrub whose seed oil is used as a brain tonic for memory. In mice it eased pain and had antidepressant-like effects.

Safety at a glance

  • PregnancyNothing recorded
  • BreastfeedingNothing recorded
  • MedicinesNothing recorded
  • Who should avoid itNothing recorded
  • AllergiesNothing recorded
  • ToxicityNothing recorded

Tap a box to read the safety notes below. “Nothing recorded” means our sources don't cover it, not that it's safe.

What is Staff Tree?

Plant family
Celastraceae, the staff-vine family
Parts used
The seeds and seed oil
Where it grows
India and Southeast Asia
Genus
Celastrus
Species
paniculatus

Regional names

Malkangni

Traditional names

Jyotishmati

Traditionally used for

  • Memory (traditional)

Traditionally described as

  • Seed oil

Traditions that use it

  • Ayurveda

    Seed oil used as a brain tonic for memory and intellect.

What does the research say?

Traditional use

These are traditional uses, not proven treatments.

  • Jyotishmati is one of the most important plants in Ayurveda. Its seed oil is used as a brain tonic for memory and intellect.[1]Study

Laboratory & animal research

Lab and animal results show what might be worth studying in people. They don't show that the herb has these effects in humans.

  • In mice and rats, a seed extract eased pain and reduced swelling. Earlier animal studies found the seed oil reversed memory problems.[1]Study

  • In mice, the seed oil taken for 14 days had antidepressant-like effects comparable to the drug fluoxetine.[2]Study

In short

No human or safety studies were found.

Sources

  1. [1] Effect of Jyotishmati (Celastrus paniculatus) seeds in animal models of pain and inflammation · DOI: 10.4103/0975-9476.146540Peer-reviewed study
  2. [2] Behavioral and Biochemical Evidences for Antidepressant-Like Activity of Celastrus Paniculatus Seed Oil in MicePeer-reviewed study

This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Unfamiliar word? See what these words mean.