Kapikachu

  Kapikachu is one of the most potent herbs used in Ayurveda owing to it’s medicinal properties. The herb is commonly known as Cowhage. The herb produces itching sensation because of it’s hairs and hence the name given. Dr.Varun Ram Raj of Ayurvedatarian uses Kapikachu for the treatment of disorders involving vitiation of all the doshas (Vata Pitta and Kapha ) as the plant is Tridosha hara in nature. Kapikachu is used in conditions like Non healing ulcers, Emaciation etc. The herb contains Phytoconstituents like mucuadinine, prurienidine etc which aids in its aphrodisiac and diuretic actions.

General aspects and geography

Botanical name : Mucuna pruriens      

Family :  Papilionaceae 

Habitat: All over India

Parts used

• Seeds

Classical categorization based on Ayurveda textbooks

Charaka Samhita – Balya varga(Nourishing )

Susruta Samhita – Vidarigandadi gana 

Pharmacological action

• Aphrodisiac 
• Diuretic 
• Anthelmintic 
• Astringent 

 

Medicinal property according to Ayurveda

• Rasayana ( Rejuvanative )
• Balya (Nourishing )
• Dipana (Carminative )
• Vrishya (aphrodisiac )

Therapeutic indications

• Fever (Jwara)- Decoction prepared from Kapikachu is taken at a dose of 90 ml twice per day to alleviate Fever
• Non healing ulcers (Dushtavrana)- Habitual intake of Kapikachu helps in proper healing of ulcer.

Dosage

Powder (Churna )– 3 g

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 

• Vanari vatika
• Gokshuradi modaka

Morphology :

An annual twiner with slender hairy branches. Leaves have silvery hairs. Inflorescence is flowered raceme. Fruits are pod.

Vernacular names 

English – Cowhage

Hindi- Kiwach

Malayalam – Nayikkuruna

Sanskrit – Kapikachu 

Synonyms

• Ajada
• Markati
• Langali

Rasapanchaka of Kapikachu

Rasa- Tikta (bitter) Madhura(Sweet)

Guna-  Guru (heavy)

Vipaka- Madhura(Sweet)

Virya-  ushna ( hot )

कपिकच्चूभृशं वृष्या मधुरा बृंहणी गुरुः ।

तिक्ता वातहरी बल्या कफपित्तास्रनाशिनी ।।

(Bhavaprakasa Nighantu – Guducyadi varga-shloka 130)

Kapikachu is Tridosha hara because of it’s properties like sweet taste and hot potency. The herb is used to alleviate diseases like Fever, Emaciation etc. Ayurvedatarian lead by Dr. Varun Ram Raj, is currently conducting various researches based on ancient Ayurvedic textbooks, involving Kapikachu for preparing various combinations of medicines to alleviate conditions involving vitiation of Kapha, Vata and Pitta and also as an Aphrodisiac. Reach Ayurvedatarian for better health management.

Frequently asked Questions

1. What are the uses of Kapikachu curna?

Kapikachu curna is used in alleviating Emaciation and also as an aphrodisiac 

2. Which family Kapikachu belongs to?

Papilionaceae.