Blepharis

Botanical

What is it

Blepharis (Blepharis edulis, Blepharis persica) is a flowering plant native to Africa, the Middle East, and parts of South Asia. Its seeds are used in traditional Indian, Middle Eastern, and Unani medicine for urinary, sexual, and digestive complaints.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Sexual and urinary complaints (traditional)

Mixed Evidence

Traditional use in Unani and folk medicine. Modern clinical evidence is essentially absent.

How it works

Blepharis seeds contain mucilage, polysaccharides, alkaloids, and lipids. Traditional uses include aphrodisiac, diuretic, and demulcent effects. Modern research is limited; some animal studies suggest anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity. Human clinical evidence is essentially absent.

Dosage

No standardized human dose. Traditional preparations use seeds ground or soaked.

When and how to take it

No evidence-based timing established.

1 commercial form

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Blepharis seed extract

Used in some Unani and traditional preparations.

Variable.

Safety

Limited safety data. Traditional preparations are typically used short-term.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Not recommended for routine use due to lack of modern safety and efficacy data.

Interactions

No documented drug interactions.

Frequently asked questions

Is Blepharis well studied?⌄

No. Modern clinical research is essentially absent.

References

Blepharis on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Blepharis on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Blepharis (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.