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KOKILAKSHA


WHAT IS KOKILAKSHA

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. 


What are the other names of KOKILAKSHA in various languages

Hindi- Kokilaskha, Talimakhana

English- Hygrophila

Bengali- Kulimakada, Kaatakaila

Gujarathi- Ekharo

Marathi- Talimakhana

Tamil- Nirmuli

Telugu- Neerugubbi


ORIGIN AND SOURCE OF KOKILAKSHA

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


CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS IN KOKILAKSHA

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:

  • Anti-inflammatory- reduce inflammation
  • Antioxidant- neutralizes the oxidant effect of free radicals
  • Antirheumatic- prevent rheumatism
  • Analgesic- relieve pain
  • Carminative- prevent the formation of flatulence
  • Digestion- improves digestion
  • Hepatoprotective- prevent the liver damage
  • Immunomodulatory- alters the immune response
  • Antitumor- kills cancer cells
  • Anti-pyretic- reduce fever
  • Anti-diabetic- reduce blood sugar level
  • Diuretic- increase the excretion of urine
  • Anti-bacterial- helps to kill the bacteria


TRADITIONAL AND MODERN VIEW OF KOKILAKSHA

  • The decoction prepared from the root of Asteracantha longifolia helps to treat jaundice and inflammation in the body
  • The cold-infusion of the seed of kokilaksha used to treat hepatomegaly and abdominal bloating
  • The powder of the seed mix with the milk to treat less sperm count, impotency, and debility
  • Kidney stones can be treated by burning the ash which is prepared by burning the dried plant is given along with the Tribulus Terrestris decoction
  • The cold-infusion of the seed helps to improve the urine passages
  • The ash of the plant mixed with cow urine to treat anasarca


DOSAGE OF KOKILAKSHA

The dose of the drug used according to physicians

Powder: 3-5gm

Decoction: 5-10ml


PRECAUTIONS WHILE USING KOKILAKSHA

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

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


CONTRAINDICATIONS WHEN USING KOKILAKSHA

  • Do not use this herb if you are allergic to the constituents of kokilaksha

  • Avoid this herb if you are breastfeeding or pregnant


BENEFITS OF KOKILAKSHA

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


HOW CAN YOU ADD KOKILAKSHA IN YOUR DAILY LIFE?

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


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON KOKILAKSHA

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.