BOTANICAL NAME: Asteracantha longifolia / Hygrophila spinosa
FAMILY: Acanthaceae
CLASSICAL CLASSIFICATION:
Charak: Mutravirajaniya, Shukravardhak, Mutrakricchraghna
Bhavprakash: Guduchyadi Varga
ENGLISH NAME: Marsh Barbel
COMMON NAME:
Hindi: Talmakhana / Kokilaksha
Punjabi: Kokila
Gujarati: Ekharo
REFERENCE: BHAVAPRAKASH SAMHITA with link e Nighantu:
https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/e-Nighantu/bhavaprakashanighantu/?mod=read
कौककलाक्षः शीतलः वीर्य्यो बल्यः शुक्रमलापहः । कामलामूत्रकृच्छ्रघ्नो वृष्यः पपत्तकफापहः ॥
HABITAT:
Grows naturally in marshy, wet and water-logged fields. Common in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Bengal, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Southern India. Frequently seen near ponds and seasonal wetlands.
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION:
An erect, branched herb with stiff spines. Leaves are opposite, narrow, and long.
Flowers are pale to purple.
Seeds are small, smooth, and hygroscopic (absorb moisture easily and spoil quickly). Root is strong and fibrous.
AYURVEDIC CHARACTERISTICS:
| RASA | GUNA | VEERYA | VIPAKA | PRABHAVA | DOSHGHNTA |
| Madhur, Tikta | Snigdha, Picchila | Sheeta | Madhur | Shukra Vardhaka | Pitta–Vata Shamak |
AYURVEDIC ENERGETICS:
| TASTE | PROPERTY | POTENCY | POST DIGESTIVE EFFECT | EFFECT ACTION | DOSHA ACTION |
| Sweet, slightly bitter | Unctuous, slimy | Cold | Sweet | Vrishya (aphrodisiac), Balya (strength promoting) | Pacifies Pitta and Vata |
MAJOR CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS:
Flavonoids, Alkaloids, Beta-sitosterol, Stigmasterol, Lupeol.
THERAPEUTIC USES:
- Shukra Kshaya (Low semen / Male infertility)
- Klaibya (Sexual weakness)
- Mutra Krichchhra (Burning / difficulty urination)
- Ashmari (Kidney / urinary stones)
- Kamala (Jaundice / Liver weakness)
- Sandhi Shotha & Vatarakta (Joint stiffness and swelling)
INDICATIONS:
Shukra Kshaya, Klaibya, Mutra-Krichchhra, Ashmari, Kamala, Daha, Sandhi-shula.
USEFUL PART:
Beej (Seeds), Moola (Root), Panchanga (Whole Plant)
DOSAGE:
Churna (Seed Powder): 3–5 g twice daily Kwath (Decoction): 40–80 ml
Beej paste mixed in milk at bedtime is especially Vrishya.
AYURVEDIC FORMULATION:
- Kokilakshadi Churna
- Kokilakshadi Kwath
- Vrishya Yoga (Virginity and Strength Rasayana Preparations)