Kantakari
Kantakari also known as Wild eggs plant is found through out India. The herb have thorns all over it and hence the name is given. Dr.Varun Ram Raj of Ayurvedatarian uses the herb Kantakari in conditions like Cough (Kasa) Respiratory disorders (Swasa) etc as the herb alleviates Vata Kapha doshas. The main causative factor for Kasa and Swasa are vitiation of these two doshas. Modern researches shows that the herb can be used as an antiinflammatory , antibacterial and stimulant as it contains Phytoconstituents like solasonine, solanine etc . Kantakari can be used to treat numerous diseases like Worm infestations , Skin ailments etc.
General aspects and Geography
Botanical name : Solanum xanthocarpum
Family : Solanaceae
Habitat: Found through out India
Parts used
- Root Whole plant
Classical categorization based on Ayurveda Textbooks
Charaka Samhita – Sothahara varga (alleviates swelling )
Susruta Samhita – Brhatyadi gana
Pharmacological action
- Antiinflammatory
- Antibacterial
- Analgesic
- Stimulant
Medicinal property according to Ayurveda
- Pacana (Appetizer )
- Kasahara (Alleviate cough )
- Swasahara (Alleviate respiratory disorder )
- Balya (Nourishing )
Therapeutic indications
- Jwara (Fever)- Decoction prepared from Kantakari is taken daily at a dose of 90 ml to alleviate fever
- Kasa (Cough )- Decoction of Kantakari is taken along with Ginger juice to alleviate Cough.
Dosage
Powder (Churna) – 2 g
Decoction (Kashaya )- 60 ml
Tablet - 2 tablets twice daily or as per the advice of the Ayurveda doctor
Note: Ayurveda medications must be taken only after consulting an Ayurveda doctor.
Formulations
- Kantakari kwatha
- Dasamularishta
- Dasamula kwatha
- Dasamula ghrtha
Morphology :
A prickly prostrate perennial herb with erect and solid stem. Leaves are alternately arranged. Inflorescence is peduncled cyme. Flowers are violet. Fruits are berry.
Vernacular names of Kantakari
English – wild eggs plant
Hindi- kateli
Malayalam – velvottuvazhuthina
Sanskrit -Kantakari
Synonyms
- Kuli
- Dusparsa
- Dravani
Rasapanchaka
Rasa- Tikta (bitter) Katu (Acrid )
Guna- Laghu (Light)
Vipaka- Katu (Acrid )
Virya- Ushna (hot)
कण्टकारी सरा तिक्ता कटुका दीपनी लघुः ।
रूक्षोष्णा पाचनी कासश्वास ज्वरकफानिलान् ।
(Bhavaprakasa Nighantu -Guducyadi varga-shloka 40)
Kantakari alleviate Vata Kapha doshas because of it’s properties like hot potency and acrid taste. Ayurvedatarian lead by Dr. Varun Ram Raj, uses the herb Kantakari in treating diseases caused by the vitiation of Vata and Kapha doshas including Cough and Fever. Ayurvedatarian are currently conducting more researches on the herb to fully exploit it’s medicinal values and to prepare new combinations for the alleviation of commonly found diseases.
Frequently asked Questions
- What are the uses of Kantakari kashaya ?
According to Ayurvedic textbooks, Kantakari kashaya can be used to treat Chronic fever and Respiratory distress.
- What is the Dosage of Dasamularishta ?
Dasamularishta can be taken internally at a dose of 20 ml for an adult.
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