Indian sphaeranthus

Botanical

What is it

Indian sphaeranthus (Sphaeranthus indicus) is a small flowering herb used in Ayurvedic medicine. Its flower heads are extracted for use in metabolic and skin health supplements, often combined with mango seed kernel in branded ingredients like Meratrim.

Evidence for 1 use

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

Weight management

Limited Evidence

Trials of the Meratrim combination report modest weight and waist circumference reductions when combined with diet and exercise. Standalone S. indicus evidence is limited.

How it works

Flower heads contain eudesmanolides (sphaeranthanolide, related sesquiterpene lactones), flavonoids, and essential oils. Some extracts have been studied for effects on adipocyte differentiation and metabolic markers in vitro and in clinical trials. The Meratrim ingredient (a combination of S. indicus and Garcinia mangostana) has clinical trial evidence for weight management; isolated S. indicus has less standalone clinical data.

Dosage

Meratrim clinical trials use 800 mg/day. Standalone S. indicus extracts vary widely.

When and how to take it

Clinical trials typically dose twice daily, before meals.

1 commercial form

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Sphaeranthus flower head extract

Most evidence is for the standardized Meratrim combination ingredient.

Sesquiterpene lactones absorbed moderately.

Safety

Generally well tolerated in available clinical trials. Long-term safety data are limited.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and lactation due to limited safety data. Use caution in conjunction with weight loss or diabetes medications.

Interactions

No well-documented drug interactions. Theoretical interactions with diabetes or weight loss medications.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sphaeranthus indicus a real weight loss aid?⌄

The Meratrim combination shows modest effects in trials when paired with lifestyle change. Standalone S. indicus is less studied.

Is sphaeranthus safe?⌄

Available trials show good tolerability over months. Longer-term safety data are limited.

References

Indian sphaeranthus on Wikidata — Wikidata link

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

Research on Indian sphaeranthus (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.