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

1. What are the uses of Kantakari kashaya ?

According to Ayurvedic textbooks, Kantakari kashaya can be used to treat Chronic fever and Respiratory distress.

2. What is the Dosage of Dasamularishta ?

          Dasamularishta can be taken internally at a dose of 20 ml for an adult.