Photo: Dr.S.Soundarapandian / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Kantakari कण्टकारी
Solanum virginianum · Solanaceae
Also known as: Solanum xanthocarpum, Yellow-berried Nightshade
Part used: Whole plant
Kantakari (Solanum virginianum) is the yellow-berried nightshade, a spiny herb that is one of the ten roots of Dashamula. Ayurveda uses the whole plant for cough, asthma and fever, and it is among the most-used respiratory drugs in the classical texts.
| Rasa (taste) | Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent) |
|---|---|
| Guna (qualities) | Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry) |
| Virya (potency) | Ushna (Hot) |
| Vipaka | Katu (Pungent) |
| Dosha | Balances Kapha & Vata |
| Prabhava | Classical systemic action |
Key takeaways
- Botanical name: Solanum virginianum
- Part used: Whole plant
- Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata
- Typical dose: Whole-plant powder 1–3 g or decoction; a key ingredient of respiratory and Dashamula formulas.
Kantakari in other languages
Introduction
Kantakari (Solanum virginianum) is a thorny, low herb and a member of the Dashamula — one of Ayurveda's chief respiratory remedies, used for cough, asthma and fever.
Classification
Of the Solanaceae family, Kantakari is grouped among the Kasahara (anti-cough) and Shwasahara (anti-dyspnoea) dravyas, and is one of the ten roots of Dashamula. Its bitter-pungent taste and heating potency clear Kapha from the chest.
Uses & benefits
Kantakari is a respiratory drug, used in cough, asthma and chest congestion where Kapha is thick and difficult to bring up. One of the ten roots of Dashamula, it is also given in fever with cough, and is frequently paired with its larger relative Brihati.
Kantakari for cough
A principal Kasahara drug, used for both dry and productive cough — one of the most reliably prescribed respiratory herbs.
Kantakari for asthma
Named in Shwasa across the classical texts, used to ease breathlessness and airway tightness.
Kantakari in Dashamula
One of the five smaller roots of Laghu Panchamula.
Kantakari for fever
Used in Jwara with respiratory involvement, part of the classical fever decoctions.
Kantakari for hoarseness
Used for a rough or lost voice, taken as a decoction with honey.
Kantakari for chest congestion
Its warming, drying character thins thick phlegm and eases expectoration.
Kantakari for worms
Named among the Krimighna drugs.
Kantakari for urinary complaints
A mild Mutrala drug used for scanty and painful urination.
Kantakari for toothache
The seed smoke is a traditional local remedy, though safer alternatives exist.
Kantakari in Kantakari Avaleha
The lead drug of the classical respiratory linctus, and present in Dashamularishta and most cough formulations.
Dosage — how much to take
Whole-plant powder 1–3 g or decoction; a key ingredient of respiratory and Dashamula formulas. Follow your Vaidya's advice.
Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm with a qualified Vaidya.
Traditional uses — questions answered from the classical texts
Answers are drawn from the citations and properties recorded for this drug. No chapter-and-verse reference appears that the record does not carry.
Which classical texts describe Kantakari?
The citations held for Kantakari in this catalogue are: Charaka Samhita (Kasa-Shwasa & Dashamula); Bhavaprakasha Nighantu (Guduchyadi Varga).
What does the Charaka Samhita record about Kantakari?
Cited for cough and breathing. Reference: Charaka Samhita — Kasa-Shwasa & Dashamula.
What does the Bhavaprakasha Nighantu record about Kantakari?
Described as Kasahara; a Dashamula constituent. Reference: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu — Guduchyadi Varga.
What is Kantakari traditionally used for in Ayurveda?
Kantakari is a respiratory drug, used in cough, asthma and chest congestion where Kapha is thick and difficult to bring up. One of the ten roots of Dashamula, it is also given in fever with cough, and is frequently paired with its larger relative Brihati.
What are the Ayurvedic properties of Kantakari?
Rasa Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent), Guna Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry), Virya Ushna (Hot), Vipaka Katu (Pungent). Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata. Prabhava: Classical systemic action.
Why is Kantakari classified the way it is?
In dravya-guna a drug's dosha action follows from its taste, qualities, potency and post-digestive effect. Kantakari carries Ushna (Hot) virya and Katu (Pungent) vipaka, which together give the recorded action: Balances Kapha & Vata.
Which part of Kantakari is used medicinally?
The part used is Whole plant.
How much Kantakari is taken, and how?
Whole-plant powder 1–3 g or decoction; a key ingredient of respiratory and Dashamula formulas. Follow your Vaidya's advice. Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm it with a qualified Vaidya.
When should Kantakari be avoided?
Generally safe in classical doses; use under guidance in pregnancy.
Where does Kantakari grow?
Kantakari is a prickly, spreading herb of dry waste ground and roadsides across the plains of India.
Which classical formulations include Kantakari?
Dashamula.
Classical references
- Bhavaprakash Nighantu — Guduchyadi Varga
Described as Kasahara; a Dashamula constituent. - Charaka Samhita — Kasa-Shwasa & Dashamula
Cited for cough and breathing.
Modern research
-
Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad and Wendl (Kantakari) extract in laboratory animals
(see source). (2014)
An experimental study reporting significant anti-inflammatory activity of Solanum xanthocarpum (Kantakari) extract.
View study doi:10.4103/0257-7941.131976 -
Further studies on the clinical efficacy of Solanum xanthocarpum and Solanum trilobatum in bronchial asthma
(see source). Phytotherapy Research (2005)
A clinical study reporting Solanum xanthocarpum (Kantakari) improved pulmonary function and reduced cough, breathlessness and sputum in asthmatic subjects.
View study doi:10.1002/ptr.1555
Safety & precautions
Generally safe in classical doses; use under guidance in pregnancy.
Where it grows
Kantakari is a prickly, spreading herb of dry waste ground and roadsides across the plains of India.
Frequently asked questions
What is Kantakari used for?
Kantakari is one of Ayurveda's principal respiratory drugs, used for cough, asthma, chest congestion, hoarseness and fever with respiratory involvement. It is also one of the ten roots of Dashamula.
What is the dose of Kantakari?
Whole plant powder 3–6 g per day, or decoction 40–80 ml twice daily, usually with honey. As Kantakari Avaleha, one to two teaspoons twice daily.
Is Kantakari good for asthma?
It is a classical Shwasahara drug used across the texts for asthma and breathlessness, and appears in most Ayurvedic respiratory formulations. It is supportive — asthma needs proper diagnosis and prescribed inhalers should not be stopped.
What is Kantakari called in Hindi?
Kateli or Bhatkatiya. In English it is yellow-berried nightshade or Thai green eggplant. The botanical name was revised from Solanum surattense and Solanum xanthocarpum, both of which older sources use.
What is the difference between Kantakari and Brihati?
Both are Solanum species in Dashamula and are used similarly for cough. Kantakari is the smaller, spiny, yellow-berried Solanum virginianum; Brihati is the larger Solanum indicum. They are often prescribed together as Brihatyadi.
Are there side effects of Kantakari?
Well tolerated at classical doses. It is a nightshade, so anyone with a known nightshade sensitivity should be cautious. Avoid in pregnancy. The plant is fiercely spiny and fresh material needs careful handling.
Can Kantakari be used for children?
It is used in paediatric cough formulations, but the dose should be set by a physician rather than scaled down from an adult one.
Part of: Dashamula
