Kulatha

BOTANICAL NAME: Dolichos biflorus

FAMILY: Leguminosae

CLASSICAL CLASSIFICATION:

Charaka: Swedopaga

Bhavaprakash: Dhanya varga

ENGLISH NAME: Horsegram, Cowpea

COMMON NAME:

Hindi: Kulathi

Kannada: Huruli

REFERENCE: BHAVAPRAKASH SAMHITA with link e Nighantu:

https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/e-Nighantu/bhavaprakashanighantu/?mod=read

कुलत्थिका कुलत्थश्च कत्थ्यन्ते तद्गुणा अथ ॥६० ॥

कुलत्थः कटुकः पाके कषायः पित्तरक्तकृत् ।

लघुविदाही वीर्योष्णः श्वासकासकफानिलान् ॥६१॥

हन्ति हिक्काऽश्मरीशुक्रदाहानाहान् सपीनसान् ।

स्वेदसंग्राहको मेदोज्वरक्रिमिहरः सरः ॥६२॥

HABITAT: Native to Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION:

It is an annual twinning herb upto 4 cm high. Branches are sub erect. Leaves are alternate and trifoliate. They are oblong pubescent with entire margins. Flowers are solitary, bracteate and axillary, pale yellow in color. Fruits are pod shaped, beaked, slightly brown, consists of numerous seeds. Seeds are 4-5 in no., compressed, grey or reddish black colored, shiny.

MAJOR CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: Pentosan, Genistein, Collidin, Dalberiodin THERAPEUTIC USES:

• Oedema: The paste of Kulatha seeds are used for fomentation to relieve localized swelling.
• Renal calculi: Cold infusion (Hima) of the seeds of Horsegram is quite effective in kidney stones.
• Piles: The decoction prepared from its seeds is given orally to relieve from constipation.
• Hiccups: Seed powder is burnt and then the smoke coming from it is inhaled.

INDICATIONS

Ashmari Renal calculi, Kasa Cough, Shwasa Bronchial Asthma, Hikka Hiccups, Daha Burning sensation, Anaha Bloating, Peenasa Rhinitis, Jwara Fever, Medoroga Obesity, Udararoga Ascites, Akshiroga Eye disorders, Shotha oedema, Arsha Haemorrhoids

USEFUL PART: Seed

DOSAGE: 4 to 6 gm (Churna)

AYURVEDIC FORMULATION:

1. Saptasara Kwatha
2. Dhanvantra taila