Ayurveda the divine science of life -17

Ayurveda the divine science of life

Botany: Kan.

t.

aka¯ri is a highly branched perennial

herb, with an irregularly shaped stem that is somewhat

woody at the base, covered in whitish hairs, with

shining yellowish prickles that are up to 1.3 cm long.

The leaves are up 5–10 cm in length and between 2.5

and 6 cm wide, ovate to elliptic, deeply lobed, covered

in whitish hairs and prickles along the midrib and

veins. The purple or blue flowers are borne in axillary

cymes, giving rise to small globose berries that are yellowish

white, with green veins, containing small yellowish

brown seeds. Kan.

t.

aka¯ri is found throughout

tropical India and Southeast Asia (Kirtikar & Basu

1935).

Part used:Whole plant, root.

Dravygun. a:

● Rasa: kat.u, tikta

● Vipa¯ka: kat.u

● Vı¯rya: us.n.

a, ru¯ks.

a

● Karma: dı ¯panapa¯cana, anulomana, kr . mighna,

jvaraghna, chedana, ka¯sahara, sva¯sahara,

mu¯travirecana, a´smaribhedana, hr . daya, a¯rtavajanana,

va¯takaphahara (Srikanthamurthy 2001, Warrier

et al 1996)

Constituents: The limited amount of chemical

research on Kan.

t.

aka¯ri has yielded the steroidal glycosides

carpesterol, indioside, -sitosterol, dioscin,

methyl protoprosapogenin A, methyl protodioscin and

protodioscin. In addition researchers have isolated the

sesquiterpene solavetivone, a novel solafuranone,

scopoletin, esculin, esculetin, N-(p-transcoumaroyl)

tyramine, and N-trans-feruloyltyramine, as well as the

alkaloids solanine, solanidine, solasonine, solamargine,

and solaurine (Chiang et al 1991, Gan et al

1993, Kapoor 1990, Syu et al 2001, Yoganarasimhan

2000).

Medical research:

● Human trials: Solanum xanthocarpum and

Solanum trilobatum were demonstrated to promote

a significant improvement in the ventilatory

function of asthmatic individuals, without side

effects (Govindan et al 1999, 2004).

Toxicity: No data found.

Indications: Dyspepsia, colic, flatulence, constipation,

haemorrhoids, intestinal parasites, fever,

catarrh, cough, bronchitis, pharyngitis, asthma,

urolithiasis, oedema, skin diseases, inflammatory joint

disease, sciatica, cardiovascular disease, amenorrhoea,

dysmenorrhoea, epilepsy.

Contraindications: pittakopa.

Medicinal uses: Kan.

t.

aka¯ri is a warming, stimulating

herb, with a dı¯panapa¯cana activity that is useful

to correct digestion and remove catarrh, commonly

used in the treatment of fever (jvara), digestive weakness

and respiratory conditions. For fever with pain in

the chest Kan.

t.

aka¯ri is decocted with Goks.ura, and

taken with red rice (Sharma 2002). In the treatment of

cough the Cakradatta recommends a decoction of

Kan.

t.

aka¯ri and Harı¯takı¯, taken with honey and a

paste of Trikat.u (Sharma 2002). Similarly, a medicated

ghr. ta prepared with the fresh juice of

Kan.

t.

aka¯ri and powders of Ra¯sna¯, Bala¯, Goks.ura

and Trikat.u is used to treat the different types of

cough as well as hoarseness (Sharma 2002). In the

treatment of colic Kan.

t.

aka¯ri is decocted with Bala¯,

Punarnava¯, Goks.ura, and Br. hatı¯, taken with Hin.gu

and rock salt (Sharma 2002). In the treatment of

haemorrhoids Kan.

t.

aka¯ri is prepared as a medicated

Kan.

t.

aka¯ri, ‘thorny’

BOTANICAL NAME: Solanum xanthocarpum, S. surattense, Solanaceae

OTHER NAMES: Vya¯ghrı¯, ‘tigress’ (S); Birhatta (H); Kandangattiri,

Papparapalli (T); Yellowberried Nightshade

226 PART 2: A¯ yurvedic materia medica

ghr. ta called Simhyamr. ta ghr. ta, prepared by decocting

it along with Gud.u¯cı¯, and a smaller proportion of

Citraka, Triphala, Pu¯tika¯ bark, Indrayava,

Gambha¯ri and Vid.

an.ga (Sharma 2002). As a ‘simple’

(remedy), a decoction of Kan.

t.

aka¯ri taken with honey

is stated to be effective in all forms of dysuria and

urolithiasis (Sharma 2002). In the treatment of parasites

Kan.

t.

aka¯ri is used with antihelminthic herbs such

as Vid.

an.ga, and purgatives such as Trivr.

t.

Dosage:

● Cu¯rn.

a: 3–5 g b.i.d.–t.i.d.

● Kva¯tha: 30–90 mL b.i.d.–t.i.d.

REFERENCES

Chiang HC, Tseng TH, Wang CJ et al 1991 Experimental antitumor

agents from Solanum indicum L. AntiCancer Research

11(5):1911–1917

Gan KH, Lin CN, Won SJ 1993 Cytotoxic principles and their derivatives

of Formosan Solanum plants. Journal of Natural Products

56(1):15–21

Govindan S, Viswanathan S, Vijayasekaran V, Alagappan R 1999

A pilot study on the clinical efficacy of Solanum xanthocarpum

and Solanum trilobatum in bronchial asthma. Journal of

Ethnopharmacology 66(2):205–210

Govindan S, Viswanathan S, Vijayasekaran V, Alagappan R 2004

Further studies on the clinical efficacy of Solanum xanthocarpum

and Solanum trilobatum in bronchial asthma.

Phytotherapy Research 18(10):805–809

Kapoor LD 1990 CRC Handbook of Ayurvedic medicinal plants. CRC

Press, Boca Raton, p 305

Kirtikar KR, Basu BD 1935 Indian medicinal plants, 2nd edn, vols

1–4. Periodical Experts, Delhi, p 1759–1760

Nadkarni KM 1954 The Indian materia medica, with Ayurvedic,

Unani and home remedies, revised and enlarged by A.K.

Nadkarni. Popular Prakashan PVP, Bombay

Sharma PV 2002 Cakradatta. Sanskrit text with English translation.

Chaukhamba, Varanasi, p 4, 88, 155, 163, 257, 311

Srikanthamurthy KR 1994 Va¯gbhat.

a’s As.t.

a¯ñga Hr. dayam, vol 1.

Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi

Srikanthamurthy KR 2001 Bha¯vapraka¯´sa of Bha¯vami´sra, vol 1.

Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, p 233

Syu WJ, Don MJ, Lee GH, Sun CM 2001 Cytotoxic and novel compounds

from Solanum indicum. Journal of Natural Products

64(9):1232–1233

Warrier PK, Nambiar VPK, Ramankutty C (eds) 1996 Indian medicinal

plants: a compendium of 500 species, vol 5. Orient

Longman, Hyderabad, p 164

Yoganarasimhan SN 2000 Medicinal plants of India, vol 2: Tamil

Nadu. Self-published, Bangalore, p 505

Kapikacchu¯ , ‘monkey itcher’ 227

Botany: Kapikacchu¯ is a climbing annual with slender,

pubescent branches. The leaves are trifoliate,

attached by a long petiole up to 12 cm long, the

leaflets ovate, elliptic to rhomboid ovate, 7–15 cm

long, the terminal leaflet slightly larger, the leaf surface

pubescent above and densely covered in silverygrey

hairs below, margin entire. The purple flowers are

borne in elongated racemes of up to 30 flowers, giving

rise to curved pods with longitudinal ribs, covered in

brown or grey bristles, 5–7.5 cm long, each containing

four to six black ovoid seeds. Kapikacchu¯ is found

throughout India, Africa and Southeast Asia (Kirtikar

& Basu 1935, Warrier et al 1995).

Part used: Seeds.

Dravygun. a:

● Rasa: amla, tikta, ka´sa¯ya, madhura

● Vipa¯ka: guru

● Vı¯rya: us.n.

a

● Karma: medhya, balya, vajı ¯karan. a, va¯tapittahara

(Srikanthamurthy 2001, Warrier et al 1995).

Constituents: The most prominent constituent in

Kapikacchu¯ is L-dopa (3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine

or 3-hydroxy-L-tyrosine), present in concentrations

that range from a low of 1.81% for an accession named

M. pruriens var. utilis grown in the USA, to a high of

7.64% for an accession named M. pruriens var.

cochinchinensis grown in Bénin. It appears that

L-dopa synthesis in the various cultivars is higher in

plants grown at low latitudes, near the equator.

Researchers have also identified a number of hallucinogenic

indoles such as bufotenine, N,N-dimethyltryptamine

and other tryptamines including serotonin,

the latter of which is found in high concentrations in

the bristles on the seed pods, which can cause profound

skin irritation similar to a Nettle rash (hence the name

‘itcher of monkeys’). Other constituents include

physostigmine, cyanogenic glycosides, trypsin and

amylase inhibitors, tannins, lectins, and phytic acid.

Several alkaloids have also been identified, including

nicotine, mucunine, mucunadine, prurienine,

prurienidine, prurieninine, as well as an oil composed

of stearic, palmatic, myristic, arachidic, oleic, and

linoleic acids, phytosterols and lecithin (Burgos et al

2002, Kapoor 1990, St-Laurent et al 2002, Szabo &

Tabbet 2002, Yoganarasimhan 2000).

Medical research:

● In vitro: antioxidant (Tripathi & Upadhyay 2002)

● In vivo: antidiabetic (Rathi et al 2002), antivenom

(Aguiyi et al 2001)

● Human trials: Used after 28 days of pañca

karma therapy, a formula comprising Mucuna

pruriens, Hyoscyamus reticulatus, Withania somnifera

and Sida cordifolia, decocted in cow’s milk,

promoted a significant improvement in symptoms

of Parkinson’s disease (Nagashayana et al 2000).

An extract of Mucuna pruriens was found to promote

statistically significant reductions in Hoehn

and Yahr Stage scores and the Unified Parkinson’s

Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) scores in patients

with Parkinson’s disease (Manyam et al 1995).

Compared with standard L-dopa/carbidopa, 30 g of

Mucuna pruriens extract given to patients suffering

from Parkinson’s disease led to a more rapid

onset of action and longer effect without a concomitant

increase in dyskinesia (Katzenschlager

et al 2004).

Kapikacchu¯, ‘monkey itcher’

BOTANICAL NAME: Mucuna pruriens, Papilionaceae (Fabaceae)

OTHER NAMES:A¯tmagupta¯, ‘concealed self’ (S); Goncha, Kevancha, Khujani (H);

Punaikkali (T); Cowitch, Cowhage (E)

228 PART 2: A¯ yurvedic materia medica

Toxicity: A study examining the oral toxicity of

Mucuna pruriens on albino rats for 30 days showed no

toxic effect up to a dose of 600 mg/kg (Tripathi

& Upadhyay 2002). Kapikacchu¯ contains phytic acid,

which binds to minerals in the gut thereby inhibiting

their absorption, as well as lectins, which can promote

gastrointestinal upset and inflammation. Some studies

have shown GI upset to be a minor side-effect of

higher doses.

Indications: Weakness, debility, consumption, wasting,

asthenia, infertility, frigidity, spasm, tremor,

chorea, Parkisonson’s disease, dementia.

Contraindications: Pre-existing sensitivities to

legumes, inflammatory bowel disease and irritable

bowel syndrome.

Medicinal uses: Kapikacchu¯ has long been valued in

A¯

yurveda as one of the most effective vajı¯karan. a

dravyas, used in both men and women, but specifically

male sexual dysfunction, such as erectile

dysfunction, premature ejaculation and sperm

pathologies. To this end Kapikacchu¯ is often combined

with botanicals such as Goks.ura and A´svagandha¯ for

men, and with Goks.ura and ´Sata¯varı¯ in the treatment

of frigidity and leucorrhea in women. As an allpurpose

vajı¯karan. a rasa¯yana the Bha¯vapraka¯´sa

recommends a formulation for a vat.

ı¯ (‘pill’) called

Va¯na¯rı¯ vat.ı¯, made by decocting one kud.ava (approx.

192 g) of the seed-pods in one prastha (approx. 768

mL) of cow’s milk until the milk becomes thick. The

seeds are then removed from the pods and pounded,

fried in ghr. ta, and mixed with twice their weight in

jaggery. The resultant preparation is then rolled into

small pills and dosed at about 3–4 g, twice daily

(Srikanthamurthy 2000). Kapikacchu¯ is also widely

used in the treatment of almost any va¯ta disorder used

to strengthen the mind and body in debilitated states,

used in combination with botanicals such as A´svagandha

¯, A¯malakı¯, Bra¯hmı¯ and Jat.

a¯ma¯msı¯. It is an

important remedy in many spasmodic afflictions, both

topically and internally, including paralysis, hemiplegia

and kampava¯ta (paralysis agitans). In the treatment

of Parkinson’s disease Kapikacchu¯ has shown

benefit in clinical trials, used singly or in combination

with botanicals such as A´svagandha¯, Bala¯, and

Pa¯rasikayava¯nı¯. Mixed with equal parts powders of

Arjuna and Na¯gabala¯, Kapikacchu¯ seed powder is

fried in ghr. ta and cooked with milk and sugar to make

Kakubha¯di modaka, used in the treatment of cough,

bronchitis and consumption (Sharma 2002). As a

member of the Fabaceae Kapikacchu¯ contains many

of the same constituents found in beans that can promote

gastrointestinal distress, and thus measures

should be taken to include herbs with a pa¯cana activity

in formulation, such as ´Su¯n.t.

hı¯. The seeds are traditionally

referred to as an antivenomous remedy against

scorpion sting and snakebite, which has been validated

by modern research. The hairs scraped from the pods

are traditionally used topically as an irritant in fainting,

and internally as a decoction in the treatment of

intestinal parasites.

Dosage:

● Cu¯rn.

a: freshly powdered dried seed, 3–10 g

b.i.d.–t.i.d.

● Tincture: crushed seeds, 1:4, 25% alcohol, 3–15 mL

REFERENCES

Aguiyi JC, Guerranti R, Pagani R, Marinello E 2001 Blood chemistry

of rats pretreated with Mucuna pruriens seed aqueous

extract MP101UJ after Echis carinatus venom challenge.

Phytotherapy Research 15(8):712–714

Burgos A, Matamoros I, Toro E 2002 Evaluation of velvet bean

(Mucuna pruriens) meal and Enterolobium ciclocarpum fruit

meal as replacements for soybean meal in diets for dualpurpose

cows. In: Flores M, Eilittä M, Myhrman R et al (eds)

Food and feed from Mucuna: current uses and the way forward.

Cover Crops Internal Clearinghouse (CIDICCO),

Tegucigalpa, Honduras, p 228–237

Kapoor LD 1990 CRC handbook of Ayurvedic medicinal plants.

CRC Press, Boca Raton, p 236

Katzenschlager R, Evans A, Manson A et al 2004 Mucuna pruriens

in Parkinson’s disease: a double blind clinical and pharmacological

study. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and

Psychiatry 75(12):1672–1677

Kirtikar KR, Basu BD 1935 Indian medicinal plants, 2nd edn, vols

1–4. Periodical Experts, Delhi, p 778–780

Manyam BV 1995 An alternative medicine treatment for

Parkinson’s disease: results of a multicenter clinical trial.

HP–200 in Parkinson’s Disease Study Group. Journal of

Alternative and Complementary Medicine 1(3):249–255

Nadkarni KM 1954 The Indian materia medica, with Ayurvedic,

Unani and home remedies, revised and enlarged by A.K.

Nadkarni. Popular Prakashan PVP, Bombay

Nagashayana N, Sankarankutty P, Nampoothiri MR et al 2000

Association of L-DOPA with recovery following Ayurveda medication

in Parkinson’s disease. Journal of the Neurological

Sciences 176(2):124–127

Rathi SS, Grover JK, Vats V 2002 The effect of Momordica charantia

and Mucuna pruriens in experimental diabetes and their

effect on key metabolic enzymes involved in carbohydrate

metabolism. Phytotherapy Research 16(3):236–243

Kapikacchu¯ , ‘monkey itcher’ 229

Sharma PV 2002 Cakradatta: Sanskrit text with English translation.

Chaukhamba, Varanasi, p 134

Srikanthamurthy KR 2000 Bha¯vapraka¯´sa of Bha-vami´sra, vol 2.

Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, p 834

Srikanthamurthy KR 2001 Bha¯vapraka¯´sa of Bha¯vami´sra, vol 1.

Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, p 248

St-Laurent L, Livesey J, Arnason JT, Bruneau A 2002 Variation in

L-dopa concentration in accessions of Mucuna pruriens (L.)

DC. and in Mucuna brachycarpa Rech. In: Flores M, Eilittä M,

Myhrman R et al (eds) Food and feed from Mucuna: current

uses and the way forward. Cover Crops Internal

Clearinghouse (CIDICCO), Tegucigalpa, Honduras, p 352–374

Szabo NJ, Tebbett IR 2002 The chemistry and toxicity of Mucuna

species. In: Flores M, Eilittä M, Myhrman R et al (eds) Food and

feed from Mucuna: current uses and the way forward. Cover

Crops Internal Clearinghouse (CIDICCO), Tegucigalpa,

Honduras, p 120–141

Tripathi YB, Upadhyay AK 2002 Effect of the alcohol extract of the

seeds of Mucuna pruriens on free radicals and oxidative stress

in albino rats. Phytotherapy Research 16(6):534–538

Warrier PK, Nambiar VPK, Ramankutty C (eds) 1995 Indian

medicinal plants: a compendium of 500 species, vol 4. Orient

Longman, Hyderabad, p 68

Yoganarasimhan SN 2000 Medicinal plants of India, vol 2: Tamil

Nadu. Self-published, Bangalore, p 366

230 PART 2: A¯ yurvedic materia medica

Botany: Kat.uka is a small pubescent perennial herb

that spreads by elongated creeping rhizomes, about the

thickness of the little finger. The leaves are basal, leathery,

spatulate in shape with serrated margins, the tip

rounded, about 5–10 cm in length. The white or bluish

flowers are borne on stems as a terminal spicate raceme,

longer than the leaves and for the most part naked. The

fruits are ovoid capsules. Kat.uka is native to alpine

regions in the Himalayas, from Kashmir to Sikkim,

2700 to 4500 m in elevation. Unregulated overharvesting

has made Kat.uka a threatened species in Nepal and

is listed in CITES Appendix II (Kirtikar & Basu 1935,

MOPE 2001, Warrier et al 1995).

Part used: Rhizome. Two varieties are described:

a white variety, which is intensely bitter, and a black

variety, which is less so (Kirtikar & Basu 1935).

Dravygun. a:

● Rasa: tikta, kat.u

● Vipa¯ka: kat.u

● Vı¯rya: ´sita, ru¯ks.

a

● Karma: dı¯panapa¯cana, bhedana, kr . mighna,

jvaraghna, ka¯sahara, sva¯sahara, raktaprasa¯dana,

kus.t.

haghna, pittakaphahara (Srikanthamurthy

2001, Warrier et al 1995).

Constituents: The best studied constituents of

Kat.uka are its glycosides, such as picrorhizin, which is

stated to be its bitter-tasting principle, and specifically,

a glycosidal fraction referred to as picroliv, standardised

to contain a mixture of at least 60% kutkoside and

the iridoid glycoside picroside I. Since the isolation of

picroliv, however, a number of related iridoid glycosides

have been described, including picrosides II, III

and IV, pikuroside and 6-feruloyl catalpol. Other constituents

isolated from Kat.uka root include a group of

phenylethanoid glycosides called scrosides A–C, the

phenol glycoside androsin, the catechol apocynin, nine

cucurbitacin glycosides, D-mannitol, kutkiol, kutkisterol,

and glucosidovanilloyl glucose (Duke 2002, Jia

et al 1999, Li et al 1998, Kapoor 1990, Smit et al

2000, Stuppner & Wagner 1989).

Medical research:

● In vitro: anti-HBsAg (Mehrotra et al 1990), antioxidant

(Chander et al 1992), anti-inflammatory

(Engels et al 1992).

● In vivo: hepatoprotective (Chander et al 1998,

Dwivedi et al 1992, Jeena et al 1999, Mittal 1998,

Rajeshkumar & Kuttan 2000, Santra et al 1998,

Saraswat et al 1997, 1999, Singh et al 1992),

immunostimulant (Puri et al 1992, Sharma et al

1994), anti-anaphylaxis (Baruah et al 1998,

Dorsch et al 1991), antimicrobial (Mittal 1998;

Chander et al 1998), antioxidant (Gaddipati et al

1999, Rastogi et al 2001, Singh et al 2000), cardioprotective

(Senthil Kumar et al 2001), antidiabetic

(Joy & Kuttan 1999), antitumour (Joy et al

2000, Rajeshkumar & Kuttan 2001).

● Human trials: Kat.uka root powder promoted

significant improvements in serum bilirubin, SGOT

and SGPT compared to placebo in patients diagnosed

with acute viral hepatitis (HBsAg negative)

(Vaidya et al 1996).

Toxicity: The potential toxicity of Kat.uka has not

been well studied, but from a survey of the literature,

both ancient and modern, Kat.uka appears to be relatively

non-toxic. Duke (2002) reports that the curcubitans

may be responsible for ‘ . . . diarrhea, gas and

griping’, and have an oral LD50 of 10.9 mg/kg in mice.

Kat.uka, ‘pungent’

BOTANICAL NAME: Picrorrhiza kurroa, Scrophulariaceae

OTHER NAMES: Kutki (H); Katukurogani (T); Picrorrhiza (E); Hu huang lian (C)

Kat.uka, ‘pungent’ 231

Indications: Bilious dyspepsia, hepatic torpor, constipation,

fever, cough, bronchitis, asthma, allergies,

burning sensation, inflammatory skin conditions,

infection, jaundice, hepatitis, cirrhosis, oedema,

inflammatory joint disease, cancer.

Contraindications: In large doses Kat.uka may act as

a purgative, and should be avoided during pregnancy.

In addition, the exceptionally cooling and drying

nature of Kat.uka make it contraindicated in

va¯takopa, without utilising proper adjuncts in formulation.

Mills & Bone (2000) state that Kat.uka acts as

a potent immunostimulant, and thus may be contraindicated

in autoimmune disease and immune dysregulation.

Medicinal uses: Kat.uka is an archetypal bitter herb

in A¯ yurvedic medicine, with a linear relationship

between its intensely bitter taste (tikta rasa) and its

cold and dry energies (´sita ru¯ks.

a vı¯rya). Thus

Kat.uka is indicated primarily in pitta (hot) and

kapha (wet) conditions, and should be used only in

small doses or for short periods of time in va¯ttika

states. Why exactly Kat.uka is called ‘pungent’ is not

entirely clear, as kat.u is at best an anu rasa, or secondary

taste – in some texts Kat.uka is classified as

having an us.n.

a vı¯rya, and this may explain the discrepancy.

As a bitter herb, Kat.uka is obviously important

in liver and spleen dysfunction, used in simple

states of hepatic torpor and bilious dyspepsia, as well

as in hepatosplenomegaly, drug-induced liver injury,

viral hepatitis, jaundice, cirrhosis and liver flukes,

usually in combination with aromatic dı¯panapa¯cana

herbs to reduce any possible griping. In the treatment

of viral hepatitis Kat.uka may be of benefit when combined

with other antiviral botanicals such as

Bhu¯nimba, Wu wei zi (Schizandra chinensis), St John’s

Wort (Hypericum perforatum) and Osha (Ligusticum

porteri). In the treatment of jaundice and other liver

disorders, the Cakradatta recommends a decoction of

Kat.uka with equal parts Triphala, Gud.u¯cı¯, Vaca¯,

Kira¯tatikta¯ and Nimba, taken with honey

(Sharma 2002). Kat.uka is also used more generally

in a variety of digestive disorders, such as constipation,

in which it is used in small amounts combined

with dı¯panapa¯cana remedies such as Triphala,

Hingvatsak and saindhava. In the treatment of malabsorption

(grahan. ı¯), with bloody diarrhoea and

haemorrhoids, the Cakradatta recommends a cu¯rn.

a

called Na¯gara¯dya cu¯rn.

a composed of equal parts

Kus.

t.

ha, ´Su¯n.t.

hı¯, purified Ativis.a¯, Mustaka,

Dha¯taki, Rasa¯ñjana, Kut.aja, Bilva and Pa¯t.ha¯,

mixed with honey and taken with peya (rice water)

(Sharma 2002). In the treatment of udara (intestinal

parasites) and secondary anaemia the Cakradatta

recommends Kat.uka decocted with equal parts

Punarnava¯, Nimba, Pat.

ola, ´Su¯n.t.

hı¯, Gud.u¯cı¯,

Devada¯ru and Harı¯takı¯. This remedy is also stated to

be useful in cough and dyspnoea (Sharma 2002). As a

cooling, anti-inflammatory remedy, Kat.uka is important

in pittakopa conditions, with symptoms of heat

and burning, as well as in inflammatory and infectious

skin conditions. In the treatment of paittika

jvara (fever) for example, the Cakradatta recommends

that Kat.uka be decocted with equal parts

Indrayava, Kat.phala, Mustaka, and Pa¯t.ha¯

(Sharma 2002). In the treatment of inflammatory

joint diseases such as gout, particularly with symptoms

of burning and heat, Kat.uka is combined with

equal parts Pat.

ola, ´Sata¯varı¯, Triphala and Gud.u¯cı¯

(Sharma 2002). Kat.uka is also important in typically

kaphaja conditions such as cough and bronchitis, in

combination with herbs such as Bibhı¯taka, Va¯saka,

and Yas.t.

imadhu, and usually with dı¯panapa¯cana

remedies such as Trikat.u to offset its cooling energy.

In the treatment of oedema Kat.uka is mentioned in

formulation with botanicals such as Harı¯takı¯,

Devada¯ru, and Pippalı¯. More recently, Kat.uka has

been used by Western herbalists as an potent

immunostimulant, in combination with herbs such as

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia) and

Bhu¯nimba, in the treatment of chronic viral infection

and immunodeficiency.

Dosage:

● Cu¯rn.

a: dried rhizome, 2–3 g b.i.d.–t.i.d.

● Tincture: dried rhizome, 1:4, 60% alcohol,

1–3 mL

REFERENCES

Baruah CC, Gupta PP, Nath A et al 1998 Anti-allergic and antianaphylactic

activity of picroliv–a standardised iridoid glycoside

fraction of Picrorhiza kurroa. Pharmacological Research

38(6):487–492

Chander R, Kapoor NK, Dhawan BN 1992 Picroliv, picroside-I and

kutkoside from Picrorhiza kurrooa are scavengers of superoxide

anions. Biochemical Pharmacology 44(1):180–183

232 PART 2: A¯ yurvedic materia medica

Chander R, Singh K, Visen PK et al 1998 Picroliv prevents oxidation

in serum lipoprotein lipids of Mastomys coucha infected with

Plasmodium berghei. Indian Journal of Experimental Biology

36(4):371–374

Dorsch W, Stuppner H, Wagner H et al 1991 Anti-asthmatic effects

of Picrorhiza kurroa: androsin prevents allergen- and PAFinduced

bronchial obstruction in guinea pigs. International

Archives Of Allergy And Applied Immunology

95(2–3):128–133

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Ku¯s.ma¯n.d.

a 233

Botany: Ku¯s.ma¯n.d.

a is a large trailing plant with stout

angular stems and stiff hairs. The cordate leaves are

large, up to 12 cm in diameter, with five to seven lobes,

mostly glabrous above with stiff hairs below. The flowers

are yellow, monoecious, the male peduncle longer

than the female. The fruit is a cylindrical gourd that

grows up to 45 cm in length and can weigh up to 35 kg.

It is hairy and is covered in a waxy, chalky coating that

protects it against pests and gives it an exceptionally

long shelf-life. Ku¯s.ma¯n.d.

a is found throughout Asia in

tropical regions, cultivated as both a food and medicine

(Kirtikar & Basu 1935, Warrier et al 1994).

Part used: Unripe, maturing and ripened fruit, seeds.

Dravygun. a:

● Rasa: madhura

● Vipa¯ka: guru (unripe fruit), laghu (ripe fruit)

● Vı¯rya: ´sita, ru¯ks.

a (unripe fruit); ripe fruit has an

almost neutral vı ¯rya

● Karma: unripe fruit is bhedana, jvaraghna,

raktaprasa¯dana, ´son. itastha¯pana, da¯hapra´samana,

vajı ¯karan. a, balya, va¯tapittahara; maturing fruit is

kaphakopa; mature fruit and seed is dı ¯pana,

mu¯travirecana, medhya, tridos.aghna (Dash 1991,

Srikanthamurthy 2001, Warrier et al 1994).

Constituents: Researchers have isolated a number

of triterpene glycosides from Ku¯s.ma¯n.d.

a, including

alnusenol and multiflorenol, as well as a flavonoid

C-glycoside, a benzyl glycoside, and -sitosterol.

Other constituents include proteins, sugars and fats,

as well as a cucumisin-like serine protease (Uchikoba

et al 1998, Yoganarasimhan 2000, Yoshizumi et al

1998).

Medical research:

● In vivo: anti-ulcerogenic (Grover et al 2001); antiallergenic

(Grover et al 2001, Kumar & Ramu 2002,

Yoshizumi et al 1998); nootropic (Kumar & Nirmala

2003); anti-withdrawal (Grover et al 2000).

Toxicity: Chronic toxicity studies carried out for

3 months in experimental animals revealed no deleterious

effect of fresh juice of B. hispida on various

haematological and biochemical parameters (Grover

et al 2001).

Indications: Dyspepsia, colic, intestinal parasites, fever,

dry cough, purulent bronchitis, asthma, consumption,

wasting, oedema, thirst, burning sensations, haemorrhage,

urinary calculi, cystitis, leucorrhoea, epilepsy,

psychosis.

Contraindications: Diarrhoea (Bensky & Gamble

1993).

Medicinal uses: Ku¯s.ma¯n.d.

a is both a medicinal plant

and a vegetable, consumed widely throughout Asia. In

India Ku¯s.ma¯n.d.

a is highly valued as a nutritive food,

used during convalescence in wasting diseases,

and prepared as a confection in the treatment in ulceration

of the lungs and intestines. The fresh fruit of the

juice is used in haemoptysis and internal bleeding

(Nadkarni 1954). The Cakradatta recommends a

lehya called Va¯sa¯khan. daku¯s.ma¯n.d.

aka, prepared

from Ku¯s.ma¯n.d.

a pulp, Va¯saka and dı¯panapa¯cana

dravyas in the treatment of internal haemorrhaging,

chest wounds, cough, dyspnoea, consumption, angina

and back pain (Sharma 2002). In Chinese medicine

the seeds are similarly used in lung conditions with

a yellowish sputum, as well as in yellowish mucosal

discharges of the bowels and uterus (Bensky & Gamble

1993). Ku¯s.ma¯n.d.

a is also an important remedy in the

treatment of unma¯da (‘psychosis’) and apasma¯ra

Ku¯s.ma¯n.d.

a

BOTANICAL NAMES: Benincasa hispida, B. cerifera, Cucurbitaceae

OTHER NAMES: Petha, Kondha, Kudimah (H); Sambal pushani, Pushanikkai (T);

Wax Gourd, Winter Melon (E); Dong gua (C)

234 PART 2: A¯ yurvedic materia medica

(‘epilepsy’). The Cakradatta recommends the fresh

juices of Ku¯s.ma¯n.d.

a, Bra¯hmı¯, Vaca¯, ´San.khapus.pı¯ and

Kus.

t.

ha, taken with honey, in the treatment of unma¯da

(Sharma 2002). Similarly, the Bha¯vapraka¯´sa recommends

that 18 parts the fresh juice of Ku¯s.ma¯n.d.

a be

decocted in one part ghr. ta, with a paste of

Yas.t.

imadhu, down to one part ghr. ta, in the treatment

of apasma¯ra (Srikanthamurthy 2000). In the treatment

of difficult cases of intestinal colic the

Bha¯vapraka¯´sa recommends that the freshly dried

Ku¯s.ma¯n.d.

a fruit be heated until red hot over a mild fire,

reduced to a powder, and taken with a little ´Su¯n.t.

hı¯

(Srikanthamurthy 2000). In the treatment of cystitis

the Cakradatta recommends the fresh juice of

Ku¯s.ma¯n.d.

a with Yavaks.a¯ra and sugar (Sharma 2002).

Much like pumpkin seeds, the seeds of Ku¯s.ma¯n.d.

a are

consumed in the treatment of intestinal parasites.

Dosage:

● Cu¯rn.

a: dried pulp and/or seed, 2–10 g b.i.d.–t.i.d.

● Svarasa: 30–120 mL b.i.d.–t.i.d.

REFERENCES

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revised edn. Eastland Press, Seattle, p 135

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Grover JK, Rathi SS, Vats V 2000 Preliminary study of fresh juice of

Benincasa hispida on morphine addiction in mice. Fitoterapia

71(6):707–709

Grover JK, Adiga G, Vats V, Rathi SS 2001 Extracts of Benincasa

hispida prevent development of experimental ulcers. Journal of

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1–4. Periodical Experts, Delhi, p 1127

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Benincasa hispida fruit. Indian Journal of Pharmacy

35:194–201

Kumar A, Ramu P 2002 Effect of methanolic extract of Benincasa

hispida against histamine and acetylcholine induced bronchospasm

in guinea pigs. Indian Journal of Pharmacology

34:365–366

Nadkarni KM 1954 The Indian materia medica, with Ayurvedic,

Unani and home remedies, revised and enlarged by A.K.

Nadkarni. Popular Prakashan PVP, Bombay, p 186

Sharma PV 2002 Cakradatta: Sanskrit text with English translation.

Chaukhamba, Varanasi, p 130, 184

Srikanthamurthy KR 2000 Bha¯vapraka¯´sa of Bha¯vami´sra, vol 2.

Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, p 313, 426

Srikanthamurthy KR 2001 Bha¯vapraka¯´sa of Bha¯vami´sra, vol 1.

Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, p 388

Uchikoba T, Yonezawa H, Kaneda M 1998 Cucumisin like protease

from the sarcocarp of Benincasa hispida var. Ryukyu.

Phytochemistry 49(8):2215–2219

Warrier PK, Nambiar VPK, Ramankutty C (eds) 1994 Indian medicinal

plants: a compendium of 500 species, vol 1. Orient

Longman, Hyderabad, p 261

Yoganarasimhan SN 2000 Medicinal plants of India, vol 2: Tamil

Nadu. Self-published, Bangalore, p 75

Yoshizumi S, Murakami T, Kadoya M et al 1998 Medicinal

foodstuffs. XI. Histamine release inhibitors from wax gourd,

the fruits of Benincasa hispida Cogn. Yakugaku Zasshi

118(5):188–192

Kus.

t.

ha, ‘disease’ 235

Botany: Kus.

t.

ha is a robust erect perennial herb with

a stout stem attaining a height of up to 2 m, and roots

up to 60 cm long that have a distinctive, characteristic

odour. The leaves are membranous and irregularly

toothed, the basal leaves quite large, up to 1.2 m in

length, triangularly shaped with a winged stalk, the

terminal lobe up to 30 cm across. The upper leaves

arise from the stem and are smaller, with two clasping

lobes at the base. The bluish-purple flowers are borne

in axillary and terminal clusters, giving rise to compressed

achenes. Kus.

t.

ha is native to the Himalayas,

from Kashmir to Sikkim, northwards into Tibet and

eastwards into Yunnan province in China, between

elevations of 2500 and 4000 m. Kus.

t.

ha is currently

threatened with extinction due to unregulated harvesting

and is listed in CITES Appendix I (Kirtikar &

Basu 1935, MOPE 2001, Warrier et al 1996).

Part used: Root.

Dravygun. a:

● Rasa: tikta, kat.u, madhura

● Vipa¯ka: madhura

● Vı¯rya: us.n.

a

● Karma: dı ¯panapa¯cana, jvaraghna, chedana, ka¯sahara,

sva¯sahara, mu¯travirecana, raktaprasa¯dana,

kus.t.

haghna, vedana¯stha¯pana, stanyajanana,

vajı ¯karan. a, rasa¯yana, va¯takaphahara (Nadkarni

1954, Srikanthamurthy 2001, Warrier et al

1996).

Constituents: Kus.t.ha contains an essential oil used

in perfumery called costus oil, comprising upwards of

1.5% of the dried plant, that has a woody, musty, lingering

smell. Costus oil is composed mostly of

sesquiterpene lactones, including dihydrocostus lactone

(15%) and costos lactone (10%), other constituents

including aplotaxene (20%), -costen (6%),

-costen (6%), and costic acid (14%), and also smaller

amounts of camphene, phellandrene, caryophyllene

and selinene. Non-volatile constituents include amino

acid-sesquiterpene adducts saussureamines A–E, a

lignan glycoside, the alkaloid saussurine, a bitter principle,

a resin, tannin, fixed oil, inulin and sugar (De

Kraker et al 2001, Kapoor 1990, Lawless 1995,

Yoshikawa et al 1993).

Medical research:

● In vitro: anti-inflammatory (Cho et al 2000,

Gokhale et al 2002, Matsuda et al 2003), anti-

HBsAg (Chen et al 1995), antitumour (Jeong et al

2002, Ko et al 2004, 2005).

● In vivo: anti-ulcer (Yoshikawa et al 1993)

● Human trials: in healthy volunteers a decoction

of Saussurea lappa was found to accelerate gastric

emptying and increase endogenous motilin release,

an amino acid peptide that regulates upper GI

motility (Chen et al 1994).

Toxicity: Costus oil isolated from Saussurea lappa is

associated with several cases of allergic contact dermatitis

(Cheminat et al 1981).

Indications: Dyspepsia, biliousness, gastrointestinal

spasm, diarrhoea, dysentery, fever, bronchitis,

asthma, skin diseases, dysmenorrhoea, muscle spasm,

gout, autotoxicity.

Contraindications: pittakopa. Bensky & Gamble

(1993) stated that Kus.

t.

ha is contraindicated in yin

deficiency and dryness.

Medicinal uses: The name Kus.

t.

ha refers to an

ancient Vedic plant god mentioned in the Atharva

veda as a remedy for takman, the archetypal disease

of excess or jvara (fever). In ancient India Kus.

t.

ha

was considered to be a divine plant derived from

Kus.

t.

ha, ‘disease’

BOTANICAL NAMES: Saussurea lappa, Aucklandia lappa, Asteraceae

OTHER NAMES: Kuth, Kur (H); Kostam, Goshtam (T); Costus (E); Mu xiang (C)

236 PART 2: A¯ yurvedic materia medica

heavenly sources, growing high in the Himalayas,

considered to be the brother of the divine Soma (Zysk

1998). From its Sanskrit name it could be inferred that

Kus.

t.

ha is a specific for skin disease (i.e. kus.t.

ha),

and indeed it is used as such, primarily as raktaprasa

¯dana, or alterative. Although it is not considered

among the most important plants in the

treatment of skin disease it is used in a variety of skin

conditions, from leprosy, ulcers and ringworm to leucoderma

and simple pruritis. More importantly,

Kus.

t.

ha is a rasa¯yana for va¯ta, helping to normalise

and strengthen digestion, cleanse the body of toxic

accumulations, enhance fertility and reduce pain. As

a bitter tasting herb Kus.

t.

ha acts on the liver and gall

bladder, stimulating bile synthesis and excretion, and

as an aromatic, acts as a carminative to ease cramping

and intestinal colic. Generally speaking, Kus.

t.

ha is an

important remedy in any kind of spasm or pain, be it

smooth or skeletal muscle, primarily due to its ability

to normalise va¯ta. In the treatment of cramping

and spasm of the abdomen or musculature the

Cakradatta recommends a topical preparation called

Kus.

t.

hadi taila, comprising taila and vinegar, mixed

with powders of Kus.

t.

ha and saindhava, and massaged

into the affected tissues (Sharma 2002). Mixed

with equal parts powders of Hin.gu, Trikat.u,

Yavaks.a¯ra and saindhava, Kus.

t.

ha is mixed with

Ma¯tulun.ga juice and taken internally to alleviate

abdominal pain (Sharma 2002). Similarly, Kus.

t.

ha is

used in Chinese medicine mixed with Bai zhu

(Atractylodes macrocephala) for epigastric pain and

bloating (Bensky & Gamble 1993). In the treatment of

diarrhoea and dysentery Kus.

t.

ha can be taken along

with Kut.aja, Harı¯takı¯, ´Su¯n.t.

hı¯, Mustaka, and

Da¯ruharidra¯. In the treatment of u¯rusthambha

(paraplegia), the Cakradatta recommends Kus.

t.

ha¯dya

taila, composed of Kus.

t.

ha, ´Srives.t.

aka resin,

Udı¯cya, Sarala wood, Devada¯ru, Na¯gake´sara,

Ajagandha¯ and A´svagandha¯ decocted in mustard

oil, taken internally with honey (Sharma 2002). In

the treatment of va¯ttika headache the ´Sa¯ran . gadhara

sam. hita¯ recommends a paste of Kus.

t.

ha cu¯rn.

a

prepared with rice water and castor oil, applied topically

(Srikanthamurthy 1984). In the treatment of

toothache, gum swelling and bleeding, Kus.

t.

ha is

mixed with equal parts Da¯rvı¯, Mañjis.t.

ha¯, Pa¯t.ha¯,

Kat.uka, Haridra¯, Tejanı¯, Mustaka and Lodhra,

and applied to the gums (Srikanthamurthy 1984).

In the treatment of va¯ttika udara roga in which

apa¯na va¯yu moves upwards, characterised by

abdominal bloating and pain, and accompanied by

joint pain, bodyache and lethargy, the Bha¯vapraka¯´sa

recommends Kus.

t.

hadi cu¯rn.

a, composed of equal

parts Kus.

t.

ha along with dı¯panapa¯cana remedies

such as Hin.gu, Cavya, Citraka and ´Su¯n.t.

hı¯

(Srikanthamurthy 2000). In the treatment of va¯ttika

anorexia, Kus.

t.

ha cu¯rn.

a is taken with equal parts

Sauvarcala (Sanchal salt), Jı¯raka, Marica, Vid.

a

(black salt) and sugar, with taila and honey as an

anupa¯na (Sharma 2002). In the treatment of

unma¯da (‘psychosis’), the Cakradatta recommends

a combination of equal parts Kus.

t.

ha with Bra¯hmı¯,

Ku¯s.ma¯n.d.

a, Vaca¯ and ´San.khapus.pı¯, taken with

honey (Sharma 2002). To keep children healthy and

strong, the Cakradatta recommends a lehya prepared

from equal parts Kus.

t.

ha, Vaca¯, Bra¯hmı¯, and

Svarn.

a (purified gold), prepared with honey and

ghr. ta, (Sharma 2002). As a refreshing mouth rinse,

the Cakradatta recommends Kus.

t.

hadi kavala,

comprised of equal parts infusion of Kus.

t.

ha,

Ela¯valuka, Ela¯, Mustaka, Dha¯nyaka and honey

(Sharma 2002). In the treatment of asthma, a tincture

of Kus.

t.

ha is stated to be particularly effective to

relieve bronchial spasm (Kirtikar & Basu 1935,

Nadkarni 1954).

Dosage:

● Cu¯rn.

a: freshly dried root, 3–5 g b.i.d.–t.i.d.

● Pha¯n.t.

a: freshly crushed root, 1:4, 30–60 mL

b.i.d.–t.i.d.

● Tincture: freshly dried root, 1:4, 50% alcohol, 1–5

mL

REFERENCES

Bensky D, Gamble A 1993 Chinese herbal medicine materia medica,

revised edn. Eastland Press, Seattle, p 237–238

Cheminat A, Stampf JL, Benezra C et al 1981 Allergic contact dermatitis

to costus: removal of haptens with polymers. Acta

Dermato-Venereologica 61(6):525–529

Chen HC, Chou CK, Lee SD et al 1995 Active compounds from

Saussurea lappa Clarks that suppress hepatitis B virus surface

antigen gene expression in human hepatoma cells. Antiviral

Research 27(1–2):99–109

Chen SF, Li YQ, He FY 1994 Effect of Saussurea lappa on gastric

functions. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi

14(7):406–408

Cho JY, Baik KU, Jung JH, Park MH 2000 In vitro anti-inflammatory

effects of cynaropicrin, a sesquiterpene lactone, from

Saussurea lappa. European Journal of Pharmacology

398(3):399–407

Kus.

t.

ha, ‘disease’ 237

De Kraker JW, Franssen MC, De Groot A et al 2001 Germacrenes

from fresh costus roots. Phytochemistry 58(3):481–487

Gokhale AB, Damre AS, Kulkami KR, Saraf MN 2002 Preliminary

evaluation of anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity of

S. lappa, A. speciosa and A. aspera. Phytomedicine

9(5):433–437

Jeong SJ, Itokawa T, Shibuya M et al 2002 Costunolide, a sesquiterpene

lactone from Saussurea lappa, inhibits the VEGFR

KDR/Flk–1 signaling pathway. Cancer Letters

187(1–2):129–133

Kapoor LD 1990 CRC handbook of Ayurvedic medicinal plants.

CRC Press, Boca Raton, p 300

Kirtikar KR, Basu BD 1935 Indian medicinal plants, 2nd edn, vols

1–4. Periodical Experts, Delhi, p 1420–1422

Ko SG, Koh SH, Jun CY et al 2004 Induction of apoptosis by

Saussurea lappa and Pharbitis nil on AGS gastric cancer cells.

Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin 27(10):1604–1610

Ko SG, Kim HP, Jin DH et al 2005 Saussurea lappa induces G2-

growth arrest and apoptosis in AGS gastric cancer cells. Cancer

Letters 220(1):11–19

Lawless J 1995 The illustrated encyclopedia of essential oils.

Element, Rockport MA, p 219

Matsuda H, Toguchida I, Ninomiya K et al 2003 Effects of

sesquiterpenes and amino acid-sesquiterpene conjugates from

the roots of Saussurea lappa on inducible nitric oxide synthase

and heat shock protein in lipopolysaccharide-activated

macrophages. Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry

11(5):709–715

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Population and Environment, Kathmandu p annex 1–2.

Available: http://www.mope.gov.np/environment/state2001.php

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Unani and home remedies, revised and enlarged by A.K.

Nadkarni. Popular Prakashan PVP, Bombay, p 1112

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Chaukhamba, Varanasi, p 107, 165, 184, 245, 267, 595,

656

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Srikanthamurthy KR 2000 Bha¯vapraka¯´sa of Bhavami´sra, vol. 2.

Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, p 519

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Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, p 186,

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Longman, Hyderabad, p 80–83

Yoshikawa M, Hatakeyama S, Inoue Y, Yamahara J 1993

Saussureamines A, B, C, D, and E, new anti-ulcer principles

from Chinese Saussureae Radix. Chemical and Pharmaceutical

Bulletin (Tokyo) 41(1):214–216

Zysk KG 1998 Asceticism and healing in ancient India: medicine in

the Buddhist monastery. Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi, p 19

238 PART 2: A¯ yurvedic materia medica

Botany: Kut.aja is a shrub or small tree with pale

coloured bark that exudes a whitish latex when cut.

The leaves are simple, broadly ovate to elliptic,

glabrous or pubescent, with 10–14 pairs of conspicuous

nerves, oppositely arranged on short petioles. The

flowers are white, without odour, borne in terminal

flat-topped cymes, giving rise to long narrow fruits

that are tipped with a crown of brown hairs. Kut.aja is

found throughout India and Southeast Asia, in deciduous

forests up to 900 m (Kirtikar & Basu 1935,

Warrier et al 1995).

Part used: Bark (Kut.aja), seeds (Indrayava).

Dravygun. a:

● Rasa: ka´sa¯ya, tikta

● Vipa¯ka: laghu

● Vı¯rya: ´sita

● Karma: dı ¯pana, chardinigrahan. a, purı ¯s.asangrahan. ı ¯ya,

kr . mighna, jvaraghna, ka¯sahara, sva¯sahara,

´son. itastha¯pana, kus.t.

haghna, kaphahara (Dash 1991,

Srikanthamurthy 2001, Warrier et al 1995).

Constituents: Researchers have isolated only a few

classes of constituents from Kut.aja, mostly

alkaloids, as well as steroidal alkaloids and steroids.

Among the alkaloidal constituents are conessine,

conessimine, kurchine, conamine, conimine, conessidine,

conarrhimine, holarrhimine, holarrhine and

kurchicine. Steroidal alkaloids include antidysentericine

and regholarrhenines A–F. Recently isolated

steroidal compounds include pubadysone, puboestrene

and pubamide. Other constituents include

-sitosterol, a triterpene alcohol, lupeol, gum, lettoresinols

A and B, and tannins (Kapoor 1990, Kumar

and Ali 2000, Siddiqui et al 2001, Williamson 2002,

Yoganarasimhan 2000).

Medical research:

● In vitro: antibacterial (Aqil et al 2005, Chakraborty

& Brantner 1999, Kavitha et al 2004, Rani & Khullar

2004, Voravuthikunchai et al 2004).

● In vivo: anti-amoebic, antidysentery (Duke 2002,

Williamson 2002); antidiarrhoeal (Kavitha et al

2004); immunomodulant (Atal et al 1986).

Toxicity: No data found.

Indications: Dyspepsia, diarrhoea, dysentery, amoebic

dysentery, intestinal parasites, haemorrhoids, fever,

malaria, asthma, pneumonia, jaundice, hepatosplenomegaly,

internal haemorrhaging, menorrhagia,

rheumatism, skin diseases.

Contraindications: Constipation, va¯takopa.

Medicinal uses: Kut.aja is an exceptionally important

and useful remedy in diarrhoea and dysentery,

and for this purpose the bark is preferred, which in

addition to containing antimicrobial alkaloids also

contains tannins that help to astringe the gut mucosa.

Among the best remedies to treat infectious diarrhoea

is Kut.aja aris.t.

a, a fermented preparation mentioned

in the Bhais.ajyaratna¯valı¯, taken in dosages of

12–24 mL in the treatment of dysentery, bloody

diarrhoea, malabsorptive syndromes, and fever

(India 1978). In the treatment of diarrhoea the

Cakradatta recommends a cu¯rn.

a composed of equal

parts Trikat.u, Indrayava, Nimba, Bhu¯nimba,

Bhr.n . gara¯ja, Citraka, Kat.uka, Pa¯t.ha¯, Da¯ruharidra¯

and purified Ativis.a¯, the total of which is mixed with

an equal quantity of Kut.aja, taken in doses of 3–5 g

with rice water or honey (Sharma 2002). Simpler formulations

mentioned by the Cakradatta include a

decoction of Indrayava, Kut.aja and Mustaka,

30–120 mL, taken with sugar and honey, or Kut.aja

and Da¯d.ima pericarp (Punica granatum) prepared as a

thick extract by decoction, taken in teaspoonful doses

Kut.

aja, ‘mountain born’

BOTANICAL NAMES: Holarrhena antidysenterica, H. pubescens, Apocynaceae

OTHER NAMES: Indrayava, ‘Indra’s seeds’ (S); Kurchi, Kuda (H); Kutashappalai,

Veppalai (T); Kurchi tree, Conessi tree (E)

Kut.aja, ‘mountain born’ 239

with buttermilk (Sharma 2002). In the treatment

of haemorrhoids the Cakradatta recommends

Kut.ajaleha, Kut.aja¯rasakriya¯, and Kut.aja¯dya

ghr. ta, the latter of which is prepared by medicating

ghr. ta with equal parts Kut.aja, Na¯gake´sara, Nı¯lotpala,

Lodhra, and Dha¯taki, taken in doses of 3–12 g

(Sharma 2002). Beyond its ability to check the secretions

of the digestive tract, Kut.aja is also widely used

as an antihaemorrhagic. In the treatment of menorrhagia

Kut.aja can be combined with herbs such as

Arjuna, Bilva and Nı¯lotpala, or non-Indian herbs

such as Shepherd’s Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) and

Cranesbill (Geranium maculatum). For pthisis and

tuberculosis Kut.aja can be used to check bleeding, in

combination with herbs such as Va¯saka, A¯malakı¯,

Pus.karamu¯la and Arjuna. Combined with equal

parts A¯malakı¯, Arjuna and Nimba, Kut.aja is taken

as a powder with honey for the paittika variants of

polyuria, indicated by polyuria with symptoms of

burning sensations, the urine coloured deep yellow to

red, with a pungent odour (Sharma 2002).

Dosage:

● Cu¯rn.

a: bark and/or seed, 3–8 g b.i.d.–t.i.d.

● Tincture: bark, 1:3, 70% alcohol, 2–5 mL

b.i.d.–t.i.d.

REFERENCES

Aqil F, Khan MS, Owais M, Ahmad I 2005 Effect of certain bioactive

plant extracts on clinical isolates of beta-lactamase producing

methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Journal of Basic

Microbiology 45(2):106–114

Atal CK, Sharma ML, Kaul A, Khajuria A 1986 Immunomodulating

agents of plant origin. I: Preliminary screening. Journal of

Ethnopharmacology 18(2):133–141

Chakraborty A, Brantner AH 1999 Antibacterial steroid alkaloids

from the stem bark of Holarrhena pubescens. Journal of

Ethnopharmacology 68(1–3):339–344

Dash B 1991 Materia medica of Ayurveda. B. Jain Publishers, New

Delhi, p 49

Duke JA 2002 Handbook of medicinal herbs, 2nd edn. CRC Press,

Boca Raton, p 219

India, Department of Health 1978 The Ayurvedic formulary of

India, Part 1. Controller of Publications, Delhi, p 7

Kapoor LD 1990 CRC handbook of Ayurvedic medicinal plants.

CRC Press, Boca Raton, p 205–206

Kavitha D, Shilpa PN, Devaraj SN 2004 Antibacterial and antidiarrhoeal

effects of alkaloids of Holarrhena antidysenterica

WALL. Indian Journal of Experimental Biology 42(6):589–594

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1–4. Periodical Experts, Delhi, p 1570

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the bark of Holarrhena pubescens. Phytochemistry

58(8):1199–1204

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Voravuthikunchai S, Lortheeranuwat A, Jeeju W et al 2004

Effective medicinal plants against enterohaemorrhagic

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medicinal plants: a compendium of 500 species, vol 3. Orient

Longman, Hyderabad, p 156

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Yoganarasimhan SN 2000 Medicinal plants of India, vol 2: Tamil

Nadu. Self-published, Bangalore, p 272

 

Om Tat Sat

                                                        

(Continued...) 

(My humble salutations to   Sreeman Todd Caldecott, Elsevier’s Health Sciences and others other eminent medical scholars and doctors   for the collection)