Padmak

Prunus cerasoides
Padmak (Prunus cerasoides), a Himalayan cherry, is a revered Ayurvedic herb known for its supposed ability to balance Vata and Pitta doshas while increasing Kapha. Its heartwood, bark, and flowers are traditionally used for their claimed astringent properties. This elegant tree is prevalent in Himalayan regions and valued for its various applications in traditional medicine.
PLANT FAMILY
Rosaceae (Rose)
PARTS USED
Heartwood, bark, flowers
AYURVEDIC ACTION
Vata ↓, Pitta ↓, Kapha ↑
ACTIVE COMPOUNDS
Prunetin (0.1-0.3%)

What is Padmak?

Padmak, scientifically identified as Prunus cerasoides, is a deciduous tree belonging to the Rosaceae (rose) family, native to the Himalayan region. Characterized by its distinctive smooth, reddish-brown bark, small white to pink flowers, and round, cherry-like fruits, it thrives in temperate climates.

Beyond its ornamental appeal, the tree's heartwood, bark, and flowers have been traditionally utilized across various systems, often noted for their astringent properties and a faint, pleasant aroma. It is a striking sight when in bloom, transforming landscapes with its delicate blossoms.

Other Names of Padmak

  • Himalayan Cherry
  • Wild Himalayan Cherry
  • Bird Cherry
  • Sour Cherry
  • Padmaka
Hokuto Yamanashi Yamatakajindaizakura 1

Benefits of Padmak

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<h3> Absolute Contraindications of Padmak </h3> <h4> Crushed seeds / pits ingestion (risk of cyanide release) [In plain terms: do NOT chew or eat the pits/seeds] </h4> <ul> <li> 🛑</li> <li> Recommendation: Do not chew, grind or ingest Padmak seeds/pits (or other stone-fruit kernels); avoid large amounts of raw kernel material. Seek emergency care if symptoms like sudden breathlessness, confusion or collapse occur after ingestion.</li> <li> Reasoning: Many Prunus species produce cyanogenic glycosides (e.g., amygdalin) concentrated in seeds/pits; when the tissue is crushed these compounds can be hydrolyzed to release hydrogen cyanide, which blocks cellular oxygen use and can cause severe poisoning.</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Title: Elucidation of the Amygdalin Pathway Reveals the Metabolic Basis of Bitter and Sweet Almonds (Prunus dulcis).</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Authors: Gill, et al. (authors as listed in PubMed record).</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30297455/</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Excerpt: <p>Paraphrase: The study maps the biosynthetic pathway of amygdalin (a cyanogenic diglucoside) in Prunus almonds and explains how plant enzymes generate and store these cyanogenic glycosides in kernels. When plant tissues containing amygdalin are disrupted (chewing, crushing), enzymatic hydrolysis releases prunasin and ultimately hydrogen cyanide. The authors note that cyanogenic glycosides present in kernels of Prunus species are the biochemical basis for bitter-kernel toxicity and recommend caution because enzymatic release of cyanide can produce systemic toxicity in humans and animals.</p> </li> </ul> <h4> Known allergy to Rosaceae / cherry family (Prunus) [In plain terms: if you are allergic to cherries/peaches/apricots]</h4> <ul> <li> 🤧</li> <li> Recommendation: If you have a documented allergy to cherries, peaches, apricots or related Rosaceae fruits, avoid Padmak preparations (oral or topical) unless cleared by an allergist; topical products may still sensitize skin.</li> <li> Reasoning: Proteins in Prunus species (lipid transfer proteins, PR-10 proteins, profilins, thaumatin-like proteins) cross-react with pollen and fruit allergens and can cause oral allergy syndrome, urticaria, or more severe IgE-mediated reactions in sensitized people.</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Title: Allergy to nonspecific lipid transfer proteins in Rosaceae: a comparative study of different in vivo diagnostic methods.</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Authors: A. Arruda-Ávila, et al. (as cited in PubMed record).</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11476467/</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Excerpt: <p>Paraphrase: The study examined patients with oral allergy syndrome to Rosaceae fruits and identified lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) as major allergens causing cross-reactivity. It explains that sensitised patients may develop oral symptoms and, in some cases, systemic reactions when exposed to related fruit proteins; diagnostic skin tests and immunoblotting showed strong reactivity to fruit extracts, supporting clinical caution with botanically related herbs and extracts.</p> </li> </ul> <h4> Pregnancy and breastfeeding (insufficient safety data) [In plain terms: avoid during pregnancy/breastfeeding unless prescribed by a qualified clinician]</h4> <ul> <li> ⚖️</li> <li> Recommendation: Avoid routine use of Padmak extracts or high-dose preparations during pregnancy and breastfeeding because clinical safety and toxicokinetic data are limited; consult an Ayurvedic physician or obstetrician if considering use.</li> <li> Reasoning: Modern pharmacology and systematic reviews of Padmak note the absence of well-controlled human safety studies and incomplete data on bioavailability and toxicokinetics; without evidence of safety, conservative avoidance in pregnancy/lactation is prudent.</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Title: An Insight Review on Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Evidences, and Biosynthesis of Key Metabolites of Indian Himalayan Cherry (Prunus cerasoides Don.) with Emphasis on its Safety and Use in Traditional Phytomedicine.</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Authors: Jyotshna; Karuna Shanker.</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39552266/</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Excerpt: <p>Paraphrase: The review compiles phytochemical and pharmacological data on Prunus cerasoides and explicitly highlights gaps in validated human safety data, standardization and toxicokinetics. The authors state that while preclinical activities are promising, the lack of clinical safety trials and bioavailability information limits confident recommendations for vulnerable populations such as pregnant or lactating women.</p> </li> </ul> <h3> Relative Contraindications of Padmak </h3> <h4> Use with anticoagulant / antiplatelet medicines (e.g., warfarin, aspirin) [In plain terms: be careful if you take blood thinners]</h4> <ul> <li> ⚠️</li> <li> Recommendation: Inform your prescribing doctor before using Padmak if you take anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs; avoid self-medicating with concentrated or combined herbal formulations without medical approval.</li> <li> Reasoning: Padmak parts contain tannins and other phenolics that can have astringent/hemostatic activity in traditional use and experimental models; these properties could alter local bleeding or clotting balance and theoretically change the effect of blood-thinning drugs (either by counteracting them or by complex interactions).</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Title: Medicinal Plants as Potential Hemostatic Agents (review).</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Authors: H. S. Shafaei-Dakhili et al. (as in PubMed record).</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32027817/</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Excerpt: <p>Paraphrase: This review summarizes experimental evidence that several medicinal plants (and tannin-rich extracts) demonstrate hemostatic (bleeding-reducing) actions in vitro and in animal models by promoting protein aggregation, capillary constriction and coagulation cascade activation. The authors recommend caution and further study when combining such botanicals with systemic anticoagulant therapy because of possible clinically significant effects.</p> </li> </ul> <h4> Use with antihypertensive drugs (risk of additive blood-pressure lowering) [In plain terms: may lower blood pressure further if you already take BP meds]</h4> <ul> <li> 💓</li> <li> Recommendation: If you are on medications for high blood pressure, consult your physician before starting Padmak preparations; monitor blood pressure closely if a clinician permits trial use.</li> <li> Reasoning: Some Prunus-derived flavonoids (e.g., sakuranetin/prunetin family compounds present in Padmak) have shown vasorelaxant and blood-pressure lowering effects in animal studies, so they could have additive hypotensive effects with prescribed agents.</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Title: Sakuranetin Induces Vasorelaxation and Lowers Blood Pressure in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (study of sakuranetin effects).</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Authors: (authors as listed in the MDPI article).</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Link: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/12/2/346</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Excerpt: <p>Paraphrase: In an animal model, sakuranetin administration produced measurable reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and induced vasorelaxation partly via calcium-channel modulation. The authors note the pharmacologic blood-pressure lowering potential and advise further research before clinical translation, supporting caution when combining sakuranetin-containing plant extracts with antihypertensive drugs.</p> </li> </ul> <h4> Use with drugs metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes (possible altered drug levels) [In plain terms: might change levels of some prescription drugs]</h4> <ul> <li> 🔬</li> <li> Recommendation: If you take medicines with a narrow therapeutic range that are metabolized by liver CYP enzymes (e.g., statins, some calcium-channel blockers, certain immunosuppressants), consult a clinician before adding Padmak supplements.</li> <li> Reasoning: Padmak contains multiple flavonoids and phenolics; flavonoids are known to inhibit CYP enzymes (especially CYP3A4) in vitro, which can change how quickly certain drugs are cleared and thus affect their blood levels and effects.</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Title: Characterization of the CYP3A4 Enzyme Inhibition Potential of Selected Flavonoids.</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Authors: (authors as per PMC article).</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8158701/</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Excerpt: <p>Paraphrase: A controlled in-vitro study of several flavonoids found that multiple flavonoid aglycones can inhibit CYP3A4 activity, sometimes irreversibly, indicating potential for food-drug or herb-drug interactions. The paper concludes that flavonoid-containing botanicals may alter pharmacokinetics of CYP3A4 substrates and recommends clinical assessment when co-administered with critical drugs.</p> </li> </ul>

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<h4> Cyanide-type poisoning from crushed kernels/seeds [Plain: cyanide poisoning]</h4> <ul> <li> 🩸</li> <li> Side effect summary: If seeds/pits are chewed or ground and consumed in large amounts, cyanogenic compounds can be released and cause serious systemic poisoning (nausea, headache, rapid breathing, confusion, severe cases - loss of consciousness or respiratory failure).</li> <li> Recommendation: Never chew or ingest Padmak pits/seeds; avoid unprocessed kernels; seek emergency care if acute symptoms occur after ingestion.</li> <li> Reasoning: Cyanogenic glycosides stored in many Prunus kernels are inactive until tissue is disrupted; enzymatic hydrolysis releases hydrogen cyanide which impairs cellular oxygen use and can be life-threatening.</li> <li> Severity Level: Severe</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Available: Yes</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Title: Elucidation of the Amygdalin Pathway Reveals the Metabolic Basis of Bitter and Sweet Almonds.</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Authors: (authors as listed in the PubMed record).</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30297455/</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Excerpt: <p>Paraphrase: The article explains how amygdalin and related cyanogenic glycosides are biosynthesized and stored in Prunus kernels; crushing of the kernel releases enzymes that convert these glycosides to cyanide. The authors highlight the toxic potential of bitter kernels and provide biochemical evidence for cyanide release following tissue disruption.</p> </li> </ul> <h4> Allergic reactions - oral allergy syndrome or contact sensitization [Plain: allergy / hives / mouth itch]</h4> <ul> <li> 🤒</li> <li> Side effect summary: People sensitized to Rosaceae (cherry/peach/etc.) proteins may experience itching/tingling in the mouth (OAS), hives, or (less commonly) systemic allergic reactions after oral or topical exposure.</li> <li> Recommendation: Avoid Padmak if you have known fruit/pollen cross-reactive allergies; for topical use, perform a patch test first and stop if irritation occurs; seek allergy testing if unsure.</li> <li> Reasoning: Cherry proteins (Pru av family) and related Prunus allergens can cross-react and cause IgE-mediated responses; topical use can also sensitize skin in some individuals.</li> <li> Severity Level: Moderate</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Available: Yes</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Title: Allergy to nonspecific lipid transfer proteins in Rosaceae: a comparative study of different in vivo diagnostic methods.</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Authors: (as per PubMed record).</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11476467/</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Excerpt: <p>Paraphrase: The study demonstrates that LTPs and other fruit allergens in Rosaceae provoke strong skin and serologic reactivity in sensitized patients, explaining clinical OAS and systemic reactions; diagnostic testing confirmed cross-reactivity patterns across Rosaceae fruits, underscoring risk for people sensitive to related species.</p> </li> </ul> <h4> Blood-pressure lowering / dizziness with high doses or combinations [Plain: lightheadedness / low BP]</h4> <ul> <li> 🫀</li> <li> Side effect summary: Constituents like sakuranetin can lower blood pressure in animal models; in people taking antihypertensive drugs this could cause lightheadedness or symptomatic hypotension.</li> <li> Recommendation: Monitor blood pressure if using Padmak products and you are on BP medicines; stop and consult physician if you feel dizzy, faint or unusually weak.</li> <li> Reasoning: Experimental data in rodents show vasorelaxant and hypotensive pharmacology for sakuranetin/prunetin-type flavonoids found in Prunus species, suggesting additive effects with prescription antihypertensives.</li> <li> Severity Level: Moderate</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Available: Yes</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Title: Sakuranetin as a Potential Regulator of Blood Pressure in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats by Promoting Vasorelaxation through Calcium Channel Blockade.</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Authors: (as listed in the MDPI article).</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Link: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/12/2/346</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Excerpt: <p>Paraphrase: In controlled animal studies, sakuranetin administration produced dose-dependent reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and demonstrated vasorelaxation mechanisms including calcium-channel related actions, suggesting potential blood-pressure lowering effects relevant when combined with antihypertensive drugs.</p> </li> </ul> <h4> Gastrointestinal upset (nausea, mild stomach discomfort) [Plain: tummy upset]</h4> <ul> <li> 🤢</li> <li> Side effect summary: Some people report mild GI symptoms when starting new concentrated herbal extracts (nausea, loose stools).</li> <li> Recommendation: Start with a low dose under supervision; if GI side effects persist or worsen, stop and consult a clinician.</li> <li> Reasoning: Many phytochemical-rich extracts can produce transient digestive discomfort as the gut adapts; for Padmak, clinical safety data are limited, and common herbal-related GI complaints are plausible though not well quantified in human trials.</li> <li> Severity Level: Mild</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Available: NA</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Title: NA</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Authors: NA</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Link: NA</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Excerpt: NA</li> </ul>

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<h4> Antihypertensive medications (e.g., ACE inhibitors, calcium-channel blockers, beta-blockers)</h4> <ul> <li> Interaction_Details: Padmak contains sakuranetin/prunetin-type flavonoids that have shown vasorelaxant and blood-pressure lowering activity in animal studies; combining with prescription BP drugs could cause additive falls in blood pressure and dizziness.</li> <li> Severity: Moderate</li> <li> Recommendation: Avoid unsupervised use with antihypertensives; consult your physician and monitor blood pressure closely if co-use is considered.</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Available: Yes</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Link: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/12/2/346</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Title: Sakuranetin as a Potential Regulator of Blood Pressure in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats by Promoting Vasorelaxation through Calcium Channel Blockade.</li> <li> Scientfic_Study_Authors: (authors listed in the MDPI article).</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Excerpt: <p>Paraphrase: In hypertensive rat models, sakuranetin produced significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and induced arterial relaxation via calcium-channel related mechanisms; the paper highlights dose-dependent hypotensive effects and recommends further research before clinical application, implying a potential for interaction with established antihypertensive therapies.</p> </li> </ul> <h4> Anticoagulant / antiplatelet agents (e.g., warfarin, clopidogrel, aspirin)</h4> <ul> <li> Interaction_Details: Padmak contains tannins and astringent phenolics; these compounds have demonstrated local hemostatic properties in experimental models and could theoretically affect bleeding/clotting balance or interfere with the pharmacologic effect of anticoagulants.</li> <li> Severity: Moderate</li> <li> Recommendation: Do not self-combine Padmak extracts with anticoagulants without medical supervision; if a clinician permits, monitor clotting parameters (INR, as appropriate) and watch for bleeding or thrombotic signs.</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Available: Yes</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32027817/</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Title: Medicinal Plants as Potential Hemostatic Agents.</li> <li> Scientfic_Study_Authors: H. S. Shafaei-Dakhili et al. (as per PubMed).</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Excerpt: <p>Paraphrase: The review compiles evidence that tannin-rich plant extracts promote hemostasis in vitro and in animals by enhancing protein precipitation and coagulation processes; authors caution about possible clinically relevant interactions when such botanicals are used alongside systemic anticoagulant medications and recommend clinician oversight.</p> </li> </ul> <h4> Drugs metabolized by CYP enzymes (notably CYP3A4 substrates: many statins, some immunosuppressants, certain benzodiazepines)</h4> <ul> <li> Interaction_Details: Flavonoids in Padmak can inhibit cytochrome P450 enzymes in vitro; inhibition of CYP3A4 or related isoforms may slow metabolism of co-administered drugs and raise their blood levels.</li> <li> Severity: Moderate</li> <li> Recommendation: Consult a clinician before combining Padmak with drugs that have narrow therapeutic windows or are known CYP3A4 substrates; dose adjustments or monitoring may be necessary.</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Available: Yes</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8158701/</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Title: Characterization of the CYP3A4 Enzyme Inhibition Potential of Selected Flavonoids.</li> <li> Scientfic_Study_Authors: (authors as per the PMC article).</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Excerpt: <p>Paraphrase: In vitro screening of multiple flavonoids revealed that several significantly inhibit CYP3A4 activity, sometimes irreversibly, indicating the potential for flavonoid-drug interactions that alter drug clearance. The paper stresses the need for clinical evaluation of such interactions for botanicals high in these compounds.</p> </li> </ul> <h4> Topical cosmetics / dermatologic agents (risk of contact sensitization) </h4> <ul> <li> Interaction_Details: Padmak-containing topical formulations can expose the skin to Prunus proteins and other allergenic molecules; in sensitized individuals this may provoke contact or percutaneous sensitization and worsen dermatologic reactions.</li> <li> Severity: Mild</li> <li> Recommendation: For topical Padmak products, perform a 24-48 hour patch test on a small skin area; avoid use if you have known cherry/Prunus allergies or if patch testing is positive.</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Available: Yes</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Link: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/10/1/134</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Title: Thaumatin-Like Protein (Pru av 2) Is a Cherry Allergen That Triggers Percutaneous Sensitization in Mice.</li> <li> Scientfic_Study_Authors: (authors as listed in the MDPI Foods article).</li> <li> Scientific_Study_Excerpt: <p>Paraphrase: Experimental work identified a cherry thaumatin-like protein (Pru av 2) as a skin-sensitizing allergen in a mouse model, demonstrating that topical exposure to cherry proteins can induce IgE responses; the study supports caution with topical use of cherry/Prunus extracts in people at risk for sensitization.</p> </li> </ul>