It is an important medicinal plant that is used in the treatment of
various ailments. The botanical name for kokilaksha is Asteracantha longifolia
which belongs to the Acanthaceae family. The name Kokilaksha means having the
eye like Kokila or the Indian cuckoo.
Hindi- Kokilaskha, Talimakhana
English- Hygrophila
Bengali- Kulimakada, Kaatakaila
Gujarathi- Ekharo
Marathi- Talimakhana
Tamil- Nirmuli
Telugu- Neerugubbi
It is
undershrubs found in deciduous forest and grasslands, ditches. It is widely
distributed in India from the Himalayas to Srilanka, Myanmar, Malaysia, and
Nepal. In India it is found in Kerala Palakkad, Kottayam, Kollam, Idduki,
Pathanamthitta, Malappuram, Kannur, Thriuvanathapuram, Thrissur, and Wayanad
It is a
small plant that grows at a height of 3-5feet with small thorns all over the
parts of the plant. The stem looks like sugarcane and the flowers are purple in
color and seeds are black and if become contact with water it swells and slims.
Usually, the flowers and fruits appear from September to November.
Part used: Root, seed
Taste: Sweet
Potency: Cold
On chemical compound analysis of the kokilaksha, it includes
The whole
plant contains: Lupeol, stigmasterol, isoflavone, glycoside, alkaloid
The seed
contains: Aasterol 1, 2, 3, 4,
2Astercanthine, 3 Asteracanthicine, 4 Amino acids- histidine, lysine,
and phenylalanine
Flowers
contain: Apigenin-7-0-glucoside
ACTIONS:
The dose of the drug used
according to physicians
Powder:
3-5gm
Decoction:
5-10ml
Male sexual dysfunction:
In males, sexual
dysfunction occurs due to the loss of libido which leads to low erection time
which is called premature ejaculation. The use of kokilaksha helps to improve
sexual dysfunction by its aphrodisiac property.
Take the
required amount of kokilaksha powder as per the dose and duration advised by
the doctor and add honey or milk into it and this is after your meals. Use this
remedy regularly for better results
Malnutrition:
According
to Ayurveda, malnutrition has a relationship with karshya diseases which occur
due to improper digestion and nutrients deficiency. The use of kokilaksha
improves malnutrition by its Balya property;
Take the
required amount of kokilaksha powder as per the dose and duration advised by
the doctor and add honey or milk into it and this is after your meals. Use this
remedy regularly for better results
Gout:
According
to Ayurveda, gout is called Vatarakat. Gout is a metabolic disease that causes
inflammation and deposition of uric acid in the joints which occurs due to the
imbalance of Vata. The use of kokilaksha reduce the symptoms of gout by its
Vata-Pitta balancing activities
Diabetes:
The use of
kokilaksha helps to reduce the blood glucose level by stimulating the insulin
production from insulin-producing cells by its antioxidant activities
Liver cancer:
It helps
to reduce the risk of developing liver cancer by protecting the liver against
the drugs that induce liver injury.
Jaundice:
Traditional view: According to Ayurveda, Jaundice
occurs due to the imbalance of Pitta dosha which leads to a rise in body
temperature. The use of kokilaksha reduce the body temperature by its Pitta
balancing properties
Take the
required amount of kokilaksha powder as per the dose and duration advised by
the doctor and add honey or milk into it and this is after your meals. Use this
remedy regularly for better results
Modern view: The use of kokilaksha treat
jaundice by protecting the liver from damage which is caused by free radicals
by its liver-protective activities
Diarrhea:
According to Ayurveda, Diarrhea is called Atisar. Usually, diarrhea
occurs due to mental stress, improper food, water, environmental toxins.
Diarrhea occurs due to the imbalance of Vata. This brings the fluid into the
intestines and mixes it with stool which leads to diarrhea. Kokilaksha controls
diarrhea by its Vata balancing and Rasayana (rejuvenation) properties.
Take the required amount of kokilaksha as per the dose and duration
advised by the doctor and add 2 cups of water into it and allow it to boil for
5-10 minutes this is called kokilaksha kwath. Take this kwath in the required
quantity and add the same amount of water into it and consume this drink after
your meals.
Blood
disorders:
According to Ayurveda, blood disorders occur due to the imbalance of
Pitta dosha. The use of Kokilaksha treat blood disorders by balancing the Pitta
Take the required amount of kokilaksha capsule as per the dose and
duration advised by the doctor and consume it with lukewarm water
The
kokilaksha comes in various formulations includes
Kokilaksha powder:
Take the
required amount of kokilaksha powder as per the dose and duration advised by
the doctor and add honey or milk into it and this is after your meals.
Kokilaksha kwath:
Take the required amount of kokilaksha as per the dose and duration
advised by the doctor and add 2 cups of water into it and allow it to boil for
5-10 minutes this is called kokilaksha kwath. Take this kwath in the required
quantity and add the same amount of water into it and consume this drink after
your meals.
Kokilaksha capsule:
Take the required amount of kokilaksha capsule as per the dose and
duration advised by the doctor and consume it with lukewarm water
Is kokilaksha powder
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
kokilaksha 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
Is Kokilaksha good for anemia?
The extract obtained from kokilaksha helps to improve the iron content
in the blood and regulate the abnormal red blood cells
Does Kokilaksha increase the sperm
count?
Yes, it increases the sperm count by increasing sperm production and
also increase the level of testosterone which improves sexual activity.