Kantakari Solanum surattense / xanthocarpum Uses, Dose, Research, Side Effects

Kantakari is a very useful Ayurveda herb, used widely in the treatment of cough, cold, asthma and such other respiratory tract conditions. It is one among Dashamoola – a group of ten roots. Kantakari in Sanskrit means, the one which is good for the throat. Kantkari is used in laryngitis, hoarseness of voice etc.

Botanical Name : Solanum surattense Burm.   F. (Solanum Xanthocarpum Schard. Wendl; S. mccanni Sant.)
Family – SOLANACEAE – Kantakari Kula

Vernacular Names

Kantakari – full of prickles (short thorns), Good for throat related disorders
Duhsparsha – due to prickles, difficult to tough the plant
Kshudra – a small plant
Vyaghri – it enables the user to have a voice like a lion. It is good for the throat. This synonym is used in a famous asthma medicine called Vyaghri Haritaki Avaleha. Vyaghri refers to Kantakari.
Rashtrika – Plant seen in everywhere
Kuli – Plant is gregarious in nature
Dhavani – Spreads on the ground very quickly
Kshudraphala – Fruits are very small
Chitraphala – Variegated appearance of fruits
Dravani – Liquifies the sleshma
Nidigdhika – grows up fast

Classical Categorization

Charaka
Kasahara – a group of herbs that are used in treating cough, colds.
Shothathara – group of herbs possessing anti inflammatory property,
Hikkanigrahana – group of herbs that are used in relieving hiccups
Kanthya – group of herbs that are good for throat
Angamardaprashamana – group of herbs useful in treating aches and pains

Sushruta – Brihatyadi, Varunadi, Laghupanchamula group of herbs
Vagbhata –  Brihatyadi, Varunadi
Bh p Ni – Guduchyadi varga

Distribution

Common in waste lands and road-sides throughout  India.

Morphology

Prickly, prostate, perennial herb with compressed yellow straight spines all over the plants
Stem – Erect, solid, branched, dark green glabrous
Leaves – Exstipulate
Inflorescence – Extra axillary, shortly peduncled cyme, sometimes flower is solitary
Flowers – Complete, bisexual, 5 sepals, and 5 petals, bluish purple or violet colour
Fruit – Berry with endospermic seed
Useful part – Root and whole plant

Chemical constituents

Major chemical constituents of Solanum xanthocarpum:
B-Carotene, Disgenin, Carpesterol, Solasodine, Solamargine, B- Solamargine, Solanine, Solasodino-L-Rhamnosy-B-D-Glucoside (Solasurine), Solanocarpine(Solanine-S), Tomatidienol etc.
(Reference: Illustrated Dravyaguna VIjnana, Vol. II, by Dr JLN Shastry)

Part used, Dosage

Part Used: whole plant, root, fruit
Dosage– powder 1-3 g, decoction – 40 – 80 ml, in divided dose, per day, based on condition of the patient and disease.

Varieties

Swetapushpa kantakari
Nila pushpa Kantakari

Medicinal properties

Medicinal properties of Solanum surattense –
Rasa (taste) – Katu (pungent), Tikta (Bitter)
Guna – Laghu (light), Rooksha (dry), Teekshna (piercing)
Vipaka – Katu – Undergoes pungent taste conversion after digestion
Veerya – Ushna – hot potency
Effect on Tridosha – Balances Kapha and Vata Doshas. It increases Pitta Dosha.

According to Bhojana Kutuhalam, the fruit of kantakari is pungent in taste, hot in potency, It stimulates the digestive fire and treats dyspnoea and cough. It cures rhinitis, pain, vitiated vata and kapha dosha and fever.

Sanskrit verse

Use, benefits

Solanum surattense – Benefits and usage

The juice extract of Kantakari along with honey is used in treating dysuria (difficulty in urination)
Of all the herbs useful in treatment of cough, Kantakari is the best one.
Because of its hot potency, pungent taste and Kapha-Vatahara property, it naturally improves digestion strength and is widely used in respiratory disorders.

Shwasajit – useful in treatment of asthma and chronic respiratory disorders.
Aruchihara – useful in relieving anorexia
Jvarahara – useful in fever
Vatahara – useful  in treating disorders of Vata Dosha imbalance
Amadoshahara – relieves Ama – a state of disturbed digestion and metabolism
Kantakari fruit is especially useful in treating fever
Kanduhara – it is useful in treating pruritus (excessive itching)
Kushtahara – useful in skin diseases
Krumighna – useful in worm infestation
Hrudamaya – useful in cardiac disorders
Shukra Rechana – it helps in ejaculation
Agnikrut – improves digestion strength
Medahara – useful in obesity and reducing fat and cholesterol deposition
Bala Pushtikara – improves strength, immunity and nourishment.
Its seeds are used in treating amenorrhea, and painful delivery

Kantakari for hair

Fresh plant – 200 grams is collected. Cleaned, It is crushed to extract 30 – 50 ml of juice. It is applied over the scalp, 1 hour before hair wash, to relieve dandruff and to promote hair growth.

Research

Anti oxidant activity – in vitro study
Anti convulsant activity – experimental study
In vitro anti-bacterial activity

Home remedy using Kantakari

Ghee Home Remedy For Dry Cough
Long Pepper – Honey Home Remedy For Cough

Side effects

Its usage in Pitta disorders should be made with caution, due to its hot potency (Ushna Veerya).
It is safe to use in children and during the lactation period.
It is generally considered as safe during pregnancy but consult your doctor for an opinion.

Interaction with medicines, supplements

Can this be used while taking Homeopathic medicine?
Yes. This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.

Can this medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin tablets, Omega 3 fatty acids etc?
Yes. Generally, this product goes well with most dietary supplements. However, if you are taking more than one product per day, please consult your doctor for an opinion.

With western medicines
Seek your doctor’s advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic / modern) medicines. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is best to take Allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes and then take the Ayurvedic medicine.

Ayurvedic medicines

Ayurvedic medicines with Kantakari as ingredient –
Kantakari Avaleha – used in treating asthma
Vyaghri Haritaki Avaleha –  used in treating asthma, bronchitis etc
Ajamamsa Rasayana – useful in improving strength and stamina
Khadiradi Gutika -used in treating cough

Kantakari for hemorrhoids

–  By Mr Kanaiyalal:
Kantkari (bethi bhoy ringni in Gujarati) is very useful in all kinds of piles but in bloody piles it is very useful
How to use : Take ripe dry fruit and crush it then take wooden live koyla in a small earthen pot ( matka) and throw some churna on live koyla, much smoke will produce now the patient seat on it and take the smoke on the piles for some time
Advantage : This is an experienced experiment myself and it cures in three to five days and I told many more they are cured with this simple Ayurveda herb.

Sthanika karma (Systemic Acton)

Externally – Anti microbial, relieve pain and swelling. In toothache, Tooth decay and in Hemorrhoids fumigation with its seed is indicated. Oli prepared out of it is beneficial in upper respiratory tract disorders

Internally
Nervous system – Helps to regain consciousness, Pacify vata dosha. In case of Epilepsy its juice can be administered on nostrils and helps to regain consciousness.

Digestive system – Carminative, Anthelmintic, digestive and mild purgative. Indicated in Constipation, loss of appetite, pinworm infestation etc.

Circulatory System – Indicated in Hypertension, Syphilis, edema etc.

Respiratory System – Pacify kapha dosha. Indicated in kasa (Cough), hiccough and in breathing difficulties, asthma etc. Fruit powder along with honey is good for kids for persistent cough.

Excretory system – it increases urine production, Indicated in Bladder stone, urinary tract infection, Dysuria etc.

Reproductive System – Seed is Aphrodisiac and causes uterine contraction. White flowered variety has garbhasthapana property ( prevents abortion). Indicated in Amenorrhea and in Dysmenorrhea and in impotency.
Skin – Induce in skin disorders (Kushta)

Indicated in fever ( jvara)