KANTAKARI

It is an important medicinal plant that is used in the treatment of various ailments. The botanical name for kantakari is Solanum xanthocaprum which belongs to the Solanaceae family. It is also called yellow-fruit nightshade and it comes under Laghu panchamoola. In Ayurveda, it is used to treat respiratory diseases.

Assam- Katvaedana, Kantakar

Bengali- Kantakari

English- Febrifuge plant

Gujarthi- Bhoringani

Hindi- Katai, Katali, Ringani

Kannada- Nelagulla, Kiragulla

Malayalam- Kantakari Chunda

Marathi- Bhauringana

Orissa- Bhejiaugana, Ankarati

Punjabi- Kandiari

Tamil- Kandagatri, Kandan katri

Telugu- Nelamulaka, Pinnamulaka

Kantakari is a perennial herb which is originated in Pakistan, Australia, Northern Africa, and India from Haryana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan and it is also found in wastelands.

The root of this plant is cylindrical and it is 10-45cm long. The stems are 8-10mm thick and it is green with young branches and covered with hairs. The leaves are elliptical with 4-12.5 cm in length and 2-7.5cm in width. The flowers are bluish-purple with 0.5-1.3cm in length and the fruits are 0.8-1 cm in diameter and it is a yellowish color. Seeds are flat and circular with 0.2cm in diameter.

Parts used: Whole plant, root, fruit

Taste: Bitter

Potency: Hot

On chemical compound analysis of the kantakari, it includes

Carpesterol, gluco alkaloid solanocarpine, solanine-S, solasodine, solasonine, solamargine, β-solamargine, cycloartenol, stigmasterol, campesterol, cholesterol, sitosterol-glucoside, stigmasteryl glucoside, solasurine, galactoside of β-sitosterol, methyl ester of 3,4-hydroxycinnamic acid and 3,4-hydroxycinnamic acid, isochlorogenic, neo chlorogenic, chlorogenic acids, a flavonol glycoside, quercetin-3-0-β-D-glucopyranosyl-0-β-D-mannopyanoside, apigenin, sitosterol, solanocarpine, and amino acids, coumarins, scropolin, scopoletin, esculin, and esculetin, carpesterol, tomatidenol, norcarpesterol, and solasonine

ACTION:

• Anti-asthmatic- Prevent asthma
• Hypoglycemic- reduce blood glucose level
• Hepatoprotective- protect the liver
• Anti-inflammatory- reduce inflammation
• Anti-tussive- relieves cough
• Antipyretic- reduce fever
• Antispasmodic-reduce involuntary muscle spasm
• Antihistamine- reduce the histamine release
• Anti-androgenic- inhibit the effect of androgenic
• Antifertility- decrease fertility
• Anti-spermatogenic- inhibit spermatogenesis

• Kantakari is useful in the treatment of colds, fever, dysuria, liver enlargement, muscle pain, spleen, and urinary balder stone.
• The juice from the berries is used to treat sore throats
• Kantakari fumigation is helped to treat piles
• Roots and seeds of this plant are used as an expectorant in treating asthma, cough, and chest pain
• The decoction obtained from the root of this plant is given with honey to treat cough
• The paste of the root mix with lemon to treat snake and scorpion bites
• Kantakari fruits act as an aphrodisiac in nature
• The seeds are used in the treatment of irregular menstruation, and dysmenorrhea in females
• The paste of this plant is applied to the swollen joints to treat arthritis

The dose of the drug used according to physicians

Powder: 1-3gm

Decoction: 40-80ml

• Kantakari helps to reduce the blood sugar level, monitor the blood glucose level if you are taking any other anti-diabetic drug along with kantakari

• Kantakari helps to reduce the blood pressure, monitor the blood pressure if you are taking any other antihypertensive drug along with kantakari

• Do not use this herb if you are allergic to the constituents of kantakari
• Avoid this herb if you are breastfeeding or pregnant

Cough and cold:
According to Ayurveda, cough occurs due to Kapha disorder which leads to the accumulation of mucus in the respiratory tract. The use of Kantakari helps to balance the imbalance of kantakari by removing the mucus which is accumulated in the lungs.

Take the required amount of kantakari powder as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and mix it with honey and consume this paste after your meals. Use this remedy to treat cough and cold

Asthma:

According to the Ayurveda, asthma occurs due to the imbalance of Vata and Kapha doshas in the lungs which results in obstruction in the passages in the respiratory. The use of kantakari treats asthma by balancing the imbalance of Vata and Kapha doshas this helps to reduce the blockage in the respiratory passage by removing the excess mucus in the lungs.

Take the required amount of kantakari powder as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and mix it with honey and consume this paste after your meals. Use this remedy to treat asthma

Indigestion:

According to Ayurveda, indigestion occurs due to the imbalance of Kapha which leads to weak digestive fire. The use of kantakari digests the food easily by improving digestion by its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties.

Take the required amount of kantakari powder as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and mix it with honey and consume this paste after your meals. Use this remedy to cure indigestion.

Fever:

Traditional use: According to Ayurveda, fever occurs due to the imbalance of Pitta, Vata, and Kapha doshas which leads to weak digestive fire. The use of kantakari helps to balance these three doshas by its Jwarhar (anti-fever) and hot properties which result in a decrease in the symptoms of fever

Take the required amount of kantakari powder as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and mix it with honey and consume this paste after your meals. Use this remedy to reduce fever

Modern use: It has antipyretic and antioxidant properties which help to reduce temperature and also prevent the body from cell damage caused by free radicals

Osteoarthritis:

According to Ayurveda, osteoarthritis occurs due to the imbalance of Vata dosha called Sandhivata which causes pain and swelling. Applying the kantakari paste helps to reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis by balancing the Vata by its hot potency

Take the required amount of kantakari powder as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and mix it with water and apply this paste on the affected area and leave it for 1-2 hour and wash it with plain water. Use this remedy to treat symptoms associated with osteoarthritis

Hair loss:

According to Ayurveda, hair fall occurs due to the imbalance of Vata dosha which causes dryness on the scalp and leads to hair fall. The use of kantakari juice helps to control hair fall by balancing the Vata dosha

Take the required amount of kantakari powder as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and mix it with an equal amount of water and apply this on the hair and scalp and leave it for 2-3 hours and wash your hair with a mild shampoo. Use this remedy to treat hair fall

The kantakari comes in various formulations includes

Internal use:

Kantakari Powder:

Take the required amount of kantakari powder as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and mix it with honey and consume this paste after your meals.

Kantakari tablet:

Take the required amount of kantakari tablet as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and take the tablet with lukewarm water after your meals

Kantakari juice:

Take the required amount of kantakari juice as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and mix it with honey or water and consume this drink before your meals.

Internal use:

Kantakari juice:

Take the required amount of kantakari juice as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and mix it with an equal amount of water and apply this on the hair and scalp and leave it for 2-3 hours and wash your hair with a mild shampoo. Use this remedy to treat hair fall

Kantakari powder:

Take the required amount of kantakari powder as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and mix it with water and apply this paste on the affected area and leave it for 1-2 hour and wash it with plain water. Use this remedy to treat symptoms associated with osteoarthritis

Is Kantakari powder or seeds available in the market?

Yes, it is available in the market and it can be brought from online websites or ayurvedic medical stores.

How to store Kantakari powder?

It should be stored in an airtight container and keep the medicines away from the heat and light and Do not keep the medicines reaching out to children

Can I take Kantakari on an empty stomach?

No, you should not take kantakari on an empty stomach because it may cause poor absorption of the herbs.