Kokilaksha: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & More!
By Dr Siddharth Gupta +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr Siddharth Gupta
Last updated: Oct 24, 2024 Published on: Mar 16, 2022
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By Dr Siddharth Gupta +2 more
Table of Contents
Kokilaksha, also known as Astercantha longifolia, Hygrophila spinosa T. Anders or Hygrophila auriculata (Schumach.) Heine belongs to the family Acanthaceae.1–3 It is commonly known by other names like Talmakhana in Hindi, Iksura in Sanskrit, Nirmuli in Malayalam, Ekharo in Gujarati, and Golmidi in Tamil.3 The plant is an Ayurvedic herb used to make medicines for several gastrointestinal, kidney, reproductive, liver, and bone disorders. Kokilaksha is native to India and also to other places like Srilanka, Malaysia, Nepal and Myanmar.1,2
Kokilaksha means ‘having eyes like Kokila (the Indian cuckoo)’. It grows on moist lands near paddy fields, ditches or water tanks.2
Kokilaksha is very beneficial in treating various illnesses because of its indigenous medicinal properties. The whole plant is very beneficial in the preparation of various formulations. The plant is therapeutically useful due to the presence of various phytoconstituents.2
Some of the therapeutic uses of the plant are as follows.
The seeds of the Kokilaksha plant can be used to treat infertility in men. The seeds act as an aphrodisiac. It can increase the levels of serum testosterone and sperm count.4
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects middle-aged women more than men worldwide. Kokilaksha ksheeravasti is found to reduce the symptoms of RA considerably due to its anti-inflammatory property. It significantly reduces erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and improves haemoglobin content.5
Let me introduce an exciting finding that supports the traditional use of Kokilaksha. The researchers studied Kokilaksha to check if it could help with diarrhoea and dysentery. They used different extracts from the plant’s leaves and gave these extracts to animals at different doses and found that as the dose increased, the movement of food through the animals’ digestive system might be decreased. This suggests that Kokilaksha extracts may help cope with diarrhoea and dysentery, just like people have traditionally believed.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
The extract of the leaves and roots of Kokilaksha shows significant antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis.6
Diabetes mellitus causes elevated blood glucose levels leading to an increase in the number of oxygen-free radicals. These oxygen-free radicals are responsible for various complications in people with diabetes. Kokilaksha extracts possess significant anti-diabetic properties that can reverse the effects of these radicals. This activity is mainly due to its anti-oxidative property that is helpful in scavenging the free radicals.7
I read a fascinating study where researchers studied Kokilaksha to see if it might help fight a type of bone cancer called osteosarcoma. They found that Kokilaksha may be able to fight against cancer cells. This is really exciting because it suggests that it might be a natural way to deal with osteosarcoma. Still further research is required to confirm its effectiveness in humans.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)
The powdered seeds of Kokilaksha are used in the following ways:
Your Ayurvedic physician will prescribe you the form and dosage as per your health condition.
I find it intriguing how Kokilakshka seeds have their special characteristics. People have been using their seeds for a long time to potentially help with blood-related diseases. They have a taste that’s bitter and acrid and they might be used as a tonic and sedative.
Dr. Smita Barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.
There are minimal to negligible side effects of Kokilaksha.2,8
It has been observed that Kokilaksha (H. auriculata) seeds are adulterated with Ruellia tuberosa seeds, which may compromise the quality of formulations. The seeds of R. tuberosa, being easily available and economically feasible, are mixed with the seeds of Kokilaksha and sold in the market. So, care has to be taken before using Kokilaksha to make medications.11
Read More – Shankhpushpi – Benefits, Side Effects, Precautions & More!
Yes, Kokilaksha Kashayam is an excellent medication to treat male infertility. This medication acts as an aphrodisiac, which increases sperm production (semen) and improves sexual stamina.9
Kokilaksha Kashayam can be used to treat male infertility and diabetes. The formulation can improve the sperm count and the viscosity of the semen when prescribed in case of male infertility.7,9
Kokilaksha Ksheeravasti can reduce the signs and symptoms of RA and enhance the general health of patients. Kokilaksha Ksheeravasti can also reduce ESR and improve the percentage of haemoglobin.5
The extract of the Kokilaksha plant root possesses hepatoprotective activity to protect the liver tissues from elevated liver enzymes. The antioxidant property of the plant roots can decrease the levels of liver enzymes significantly.2
Yes, the antimotility property of Kokilaksha leaves can reduce gastrointestinal motility and can control the symptoms of diarrhoea and dysentery. This has been clinically proven in humans.2
The chloroform extracts of the Kokilaksha leaves have demonstrated an antipyretic effect in laboratory studies. It can significantly reduce the body temperature in case of fever. However, more research is necessary to prove its benefits in humans.2
Yes, Kokilaksha is an excellent diuretic as it improves urine production and excretion of ions like sodium, potassium, and chloride. It has been in use since ancient times in Ayurveda, and its diuretic property has been proven in laboratory settings.2
No, there is no documented evidence of the uses of Kokilaksha in managing weight loss. For further recommendations, please consult your Ayurvedic doctor.
Please do not take Kokilaksha without consulting your Ayurvedic physician while you are pregnant.
No, there is no documented evidence of uses of Kokilaksha as a hair tonic. For further recommendations, please consult your Ayurvedic physician.
There is no documented evidence of Kokilaksha being used to treat acidity. Hence, please consult your Ayurvedic physician for advice.
Read More – 12 Foods That Are Necessary For A Healthy Liver!
1. Nikam, D., Mundada, S. and Mishra, D., 2012. Kokilaksha: A Potential Ayurvedic Herb. [online] International Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Pharmacy. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286888832_Kokilaksha_A_potential_ayurvedic_herb [Accessed 23 February 2022].
2. Kshirsagar, A., Ingale, K. and Thorve, V., 2010. Hygrophila spinosa: A comprehensive review. [online] pubmed.gov. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22228957/ [Accessed 23 February 2022].
3. Hasabe TS, Dhole AR. A potential herbal plant – Asteracantha longifolia. Int J Res. Innov Appl Sci [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2022 Feb 9];III:2454–6194. Available from: https://www.rsisinternational.org/journals/ijrias/DigitalLibrary/Vol.3&Issue3/07-08.pdf
4. Vyas NY, Raval MA. Aphrodisiac and spermatogenic potential of alkaloidal fraction of Hygrophila spinosa T. Ander in rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2016 Dec 24;194:947–53. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874116315823
5. Survase MR, G VK, R S. A clinical study of Kokilaksha Ksheervasti in rheumatoid arthritis w.r.t. Vatashonita. Int J Ayurvedic Med [Internet]. 2014 Dec [cited 2022 Feb 9];5(4):321–8. Available from: https://ijam.co.in/index.php/ijam/article/view/05452014
6. Nair A. In vitro antimicrobial activities of Hygrophila schulli (Buch.-Ham) leaf and root extracts against clinically important human pathogens. Biomed Pharmacol J [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2022 Feb 9];6(2). Available from: https://biomedpharmajournal.org/vol6no2/in-vitro-antimicrobial-activities-of-hygrophila-schulli-buch-ham-leaf-and-root-extracts-against-clinically-important-human-pathogens/
7. Vijayakumar M, Govindarajan R, Rao GMM, Rao Ch V, Shirwaikar A, Mehrotra S, et al. Action of Hygrophila auriculata against streptozotocin-induced oxidative stress. J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Apr;104(3):356–61. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874105006604
8. Rathi B, Rathi R, Wardha S. Quantitative analysis of medicinal plants used by the traditional healers of Karanja block of Wardha district for treating musculoskeletal disorders. Int J Ayurvedic Med [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2022 Feb 10];11(2):175–83. Available from: http://ijam.co.in
9. Jiji V, Priyanka R, Asha ST, Asha Shreedhar. Ayurvedic management of male infertility due to oligospermia and varicocele: a case study. Int J Ayurveda Pharm Res [Internet]. 2020 Dec [cited 2022 Feb 10];8(12). Available from: http://ijaprs.com/index.php/ijapr/article/view/1727/1276
10. Divya PS, Paraddi KS. A comprehensive review on bhakshya (eatables). Ayurpub [Internet]. 2020 Sep [cited 2022 Feb 10];V(5):1585–95. Available from: ayurpub.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/1586-1595.pdf
11. Kannan R, Babu UV, Prasannakumar CN, Sumanth MV, Sandeep O. Seeds of Ruellia tuberosa L. as a new adulterant for the seeds of Hygrophila auriculata (Schumach.) Heine. Ornamental and Medicinal Plants [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2022 Feb 9];4(1-2):1–3. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kannan-R/publication/341286563_Seeds_of_Ruellia_tuberosa_L_as_a_new_adulterant_for_the_seeds_of_Hygrophila_auriculata_Schumach_Heine/links/5eb91ad092851cd50da8b465/Seeds-of-Ruellia-tuberosa-L-as-a-new-adulterant-for-the-seeds-of-Hygrophila-auriculata-Schumach-Heine.pdf
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