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Kantakari
Kantakari
Kantakari is known as the “Indian nightshade or Yellow berried nightshade”. It is an important medicinal herb and is also a member of Dashmul (ten roots) of the Ayurveda. The herb is pungent and bitter in taste. Some of the medicinal properties of Kantakari are anti-asthamatic, expectorant and liver protective. This herb is useful in managing common cold, asthma and indigestion. It also gives relief from pain associated with osteoarthritis[2].
What are the synonyms of Kantakari?
Solanum xanthocarpum, Vyaghri, Nidigdhika, Ksudra, Kantakarika, Dhavani, Nidigdha, Katvaedana, Kantakar, Febrifuge plant, Bharingani, Katai, Katali, Ringani, Bhatakataiya, Chhotikateri, Nelagulla, Kiragulla, Kantakari chunda, Bhauringani, Kataringani, Bhejibaugana, Ankarati, Chakada Bhoji, Kandiari, Kandangatri, Kandankatri, Kandanghathiri, Nelamulaka, Pinnamulaka, Mulaka, Chinnamulaka, Vakudu[1].
What is the source of Kantakari?
Plant Based
Benefits of Kantakari
FAQs about Kantakari benefits
1. Cough and Cold
Cough is commonly known as Kapha disorder and is generally caused by the accumulation of mucus in the respiratory tract. Kantakari acts by balancing Kapha in the body and helps to expel out mucus accumulated in the lungs.
Tips:
a. Take ¼-½ teaspoon of Kantakari powder.
b. Mix with water or honey.
c. Swallow it once or twice a day after taking light food.
d. Continue this till you do not get relief from the symptoms of cough and cold.
2. Asthma
Kantakari helps to control the symptoms of asthma and gives relief in case of breathlessness. According to Ayurveda, the main doshas involved in asthma are Vata and Kapha. The vitiated ‘Vata’ combines with deranged ‘Kapha dosha’ in the lungs causing obstruction in the respiratory passage. This results in difficulty in breathing. This condition is known as Swas Roga (asthma). Kantakari helps in balancing Vata and Kapha and removes excess mucus from the lungs. This gives relief from the symptoms of asthma.
Tips:
a. Take ¼ - ½ teaspoon of Kantakari powder.
b. Mix with water or honey.
c. Swallow it once or twice a day after taking light food to control the symptoms of asthma.
3. Indigestion
Kantakari helps to manage indigestion. According to Ayurveda, indigestion means the state of an incomplete process of digestion. The main reason for indigestion is aggravated Kapha that causes Agnimandya (weak digestive fire). Taking Kantakari powder helps to improve Agni (digestive fire) and digests the food easily. This is due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties respectively.
Tips:
a. Take ¼ - ½ teaspoon of Kantakari powder.
b. Mix with water or honey.
c. Swallow it once or twice a day after taking light food to manage digestive problems.
Cough is commonly known as Kapha disorder and is generally caused by the accumulation of mucus in the respiratory tract. Kantakari acts by balancing Kapha in the body and helps to expel out mucus accumulated in the lungs.
Tips:
a. Take ¼-½ teaspoon of Kantakari powder.
b. Mix with water or honey.
c. Swallow it once or twice a day after taking light food.
d. Continue this till you do not get relief from the symptoms of cough and cold.
2. Asthma
Kantakari helps to control the symptoms of asthma and gives relief in case of breathlessness. According to Ayurveda, the main doshas involved in asthma are Vata and Kapha. The vitiated ‘Vata’ combines with deranged ‘Kapha dosha’ in the lungs causing obstruction in the respiratory passage. This results in difficulty in breathing. This condition is known as Swas Roga (asthma). Kantakari helps in balancing Vata and Kapha and removes excess mucus from the lungs. This gives relief from the symptoms of asthma.
Tips:
a. Take ¼ - ½ teaspoon of Kantakari powder.
b. Mix with water or honey.
c. Swallow it once or twice a day after taking light food to control the symptoms of asthma.
3. Indigestion
Kantakari helps to manage indigestion. According to Ayurveda, indigestion means the state of an incomplete process of digestion. The main reason for indigestion is aggravated Kapha that causes Agnimandya (weak digestive fire). Taking Kantakari powder helps to improve Agni (digestive fire) and digests the food easily. This is due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties respectively.
Tips:
a. Take ¼ - ½ teaspoon of Kantakari powder.
b. Mix with water or honey.
c. Swallow it once or twice a day after taking light food to manage digestive problems.
Precautions when using Kantakari
Breastfeeding
Modern Science View
Since enough scientific evidence is not available, it is advisable to avoid or consult your doctor before taking Kantakari during breastfeeding.
Patients with diabetes
Modern Science View
Since enough scientific evidence is not available, it is advisable to avoid or consult your doctor before taking Kantakari in case of diabetic patients.
Patients with heart disease
Modern Science View
Since enough scientific evidence is not available, it is advisable to avoid or consult your doctor before taking Kantakari in case of patients with heart diseases.
Pregnancy
Modern Science View
Since enough scientific evidence is not available, it is advisable to avoid or consult your doctor before taking Kantakari during pregnancy.
Recommended Dosage of Kantakari
- Kantakari Powder - ¼-½ teaspoon once or twice a day.
- Kantakari Juice - 4-5 teaspoons once or twice a day.
- Kantakari Tablet - 1-2 tablet once or twice a day.
How to use Kantakari
1. Kantakari Powder
a. Take ¼ - ½ teaspoon of Kantakari powder.
b. Mix with water or honey.
c. Swallow it once or twice a day after taking light food.
2. Kantakari Tablets
a. Take 1-2 tablets of Kantakari.
b. Swallow it with lukewarm water once or twice a day after taking light food.
3. Kantakari Juice
a. Take 4-5 teaspoons of Kantakari juice.
b. Add honey or water to it and drink once or twice a day before taking food.
a. Take ¼ - ½ teaspoon of Kantakari powder.
b. Mix with water or honey.
c. Swallow it once or twice a day after taking light food.
2. Kantakari Tablets
a. Take 1-2 tablets of Kantakari.
b. Swallow it with lukewarm water once or twice a day after taking light food.
3. Kantakari Juice
a. Take 4-5 teaspoons of Kantakari juice.
b. Add honey or water to it and drink once or twice a day before taking food.
Benefits of Kantakari
1. Osteoarthritis
Kantakari helps to reduce bone and joint pain when applied to the affected area. According to Ayurveda, the bones and joints are considered as the site of Vata in the body. Pain in the joints is mainly due to Vata imbalance. Applying a paste of Kantakari powder helps to reduce joint pain by balancing Vata. This is due to its Ushna (hot) potency.
Tips:
a. Take ½ -1 teaspoon of Kantakari powder.
b. Make a paste with water.
c. Apply evenly on the affected area.
d. Leave it for 1-2 hours and wash with plain water.
e. Repeat until you get relief from joint pain.
2. Hair loss
Kantakari helps control hair fall and promote hair growth when its juice is applied to the scalp. This is because hair fall is mainly due to an aggravated Vata dosha in the body. This creates dryness of the scalp. Kantakari juice acts on hair fall by balancing Vata dosha and removing excessive dryness. Together, this helps control hair loss.
Tips:
a. Take 4-6 teaspoons of Kantakari juice or as per your requirement.
b. Mix with an equal amount of water.
c. Apply evenly on the hair and scalp.
d. Let it sit for 2-3 hours.
e. Wash with shampoo and rinse well.
f. Use this remedy 1-2 times a week to control hair fall.
Kantakari helps to reduce bone and joint pain when applied to the affected area. According to Ayurveda, the bones and joints are considered as the site of Vata in the body. Pain in the joints is mainly due to Vata imbalance. Applying a paste of Kantakari powder helps to reduce joint pain by balancing Vata. This is due to its Ushna (hot) potency.
Tips:
a. Take ½ -1 teaspoon of Kantakari powder.
b. Make a paste with water.
c. Apply evenly on the affected area.
d. Leave it for 1-2 hours and wash with plain water.
e. Repeat until you get relief from joint pain.
2. Hair loss
Kantakari helps control hair fall and promote hair growth when its juice is applied to the scalp. This is because hair fall is mainly due to an aggravated Vata dosha in the body. This creates dryness of the scalp. Kantakari juice acts on hair fall by balancing Vata dosha and removing excessive dryness. Together, this helps control hair loss.
Tips:
a. Take 4-6 teaspoons of Kantakari juice or as per your requirement.
b. Mix with an equal amount of water.
c. Apply evenly on the hair and scalp.
d. Let it sit for 2-3 hours.
e. Wash with shampoo and rinse well.
f. Use this remedy 1-2 times a week to control hair fall.
Recommended Dosage of Kantakari
- Kantakari Juice - 4-6 teaspoons or as per your requirement.
- Kantakari Powder - ½ -1 teaspoon or as per your requirement.
How to use Kantakari
1. Kantakari Juice
a. Take 4-6 teaspoons of Kantakari juice or as per your requirement.
b. Mix it with an equal amount of water.
c. Apply evenly to the hair and scalp.
d. Let it sit for 2-3 hours.
e. Wash with shampoo and rinse well.
f. Use this remedy 1-2 times a week to control hair fall.
2. Kantakari Powder
a. Take ½ -1 teaspoon of Kantakari powder.
b. Make a paste with water.
c. Apply evenly on the affected area.
d. Leave it for 1-2 hours and wash with water.
e. Repeat this to get relief from joint pain.
a. Take 4-6 teaspoons of Kantakari juice or as per your requirement.
b. Mix it with an equal amount of water.
c. Apply evenly to the hair and scalp.
d. Let it sit for 2-3 hours.
e. Wash with shampoo and rinse well.
f. Use this remedy 1-2 times a week to control hair fall.
2. Kantakari Powder
a. Take ½ -1 teaspoon of Kantakari powder.
b. Make a paste with water.
c. Apply evenly on the affected area.
d. Leave it for 1-2 hours and wash with water.
e. Repeat this to get relief from joint pain.
Frequently asked questions
Modern Science View
It is advisable not to take Kantakari on an empty stomach. It is better to take after meals as it aids in better absorption of the herb.
Modern Science View
Kantakari should be stored in a tightly packed container in a cool and dry place.
Modern Science View
Yes, Kantakari is found to be beneficial for liver injury due to its liver-protecting activity. The antioxidants present in the Kantakari fight against certain chemicals (free radicals) and help prevent liver cell damage[9].
Modern Science View
Although enough scientific evidence is not available, Kantakari powder might help in the management of cough in children. It acts as an expectorant that helps expel mucus from the air passages and give relief from cough[4].
Modern Science View
Kantakari is good for asthma due to its cough-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. It decreases inflammation and the production of mucus in the air passages which is considered to be useful in asthma. Kantakari also has anti-allergic properties due to which it inhibits allergic asthmatic reactions[4][7].
Modern Science View
Yes, Kantakari is found to be useful in lowering blood sugar levels due to its blood glucose-lowering properties. Although enough scientific evidence is not available, it might also increase the secretion of insulin from the pancreas[3].
Modern Science View
Yes, Kantakari is useful in relieving discomfort during urination due to its diuretic property. Taking Kantakari juice extract with honey might help in managing pain during urination[4].
Modern Science View
Kantakari helps manage indigestion due to its anthelmintic and antimicrobial properties. It prevents the growth of bacteria in the large intestine and provides relief from indigestion[8].
Ayurvedic View
Yes, Kantakari is useful to reduce pain in arthritis when it is taken orally or applied to the affected area. According to Ayurveda, the bones and joints are considered a site of Vata in the body. Pain in the joints is mainly due to Vata imbalance. Kantakari gives relief from pain due to its Vata balancing property.
Modern Science View
Yes, Kantakari can relieve toothache due to its an anti-inflammatory property. It helps in reducing redness and inflammation in gums and provides relief to the patient[5].
Modern Science View
Yes, Kantakari fruit might be useful for pimples. The paste of Kantakari fruit applied topically to the affected area might help in reducing pimples due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities[4].
Modern Science View
Although enough scientific evidence is not available, Kantakari powder might be useful in nasal disorders when mixed with oils due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties[6].
Modern Science View
Kantakari is considered to be useful in dental infections due to its anti-inflammatory properties. The dried fruits of Kantakari can be rolled in a piece of paper and then smoked for some time to help reduce inflammation and redness of the gums[6].
Modern Science View
Yes, inhaling the fumes of Kantakari is found to be useful in managing hemorrhoids or piles due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Kantakari contains zinc that helps in reducing the inflammation[6].
Modern Science View
Yes, Kantakari is useful in chest congestion. It widens the respiratory passages and increases the airflow to the lungs. This relieves the congestion in the chest and provides relief from breathlessness[4].
Ayurvedic View
It is always advisable to use Kantakari juice after diluting with water. This is because of its Ushna (hot) nature. Dilution makes the juice easily absorbable and gives better results.
References
- The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India.Part 1 Volume 1.
- Parmar S, Gangwal A, Sheth N.Solanum xanthocarpum (Yellow Berried Night Shade): A review.Der Pharmacia Lettre, 2010, 2(4): 373-383.
Disclaimer
The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional.