Kakamachi — Black Nightshade

Ayurvedic herb Kakamachi (Solanum nigrum) — Black Nightshade. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Tikta, Virya Ushna, Vipaka Katu. Balances Vata, Pitta, Kapha.

Ayurvedic Herbs A–Z 1 min read

Black nightshade is a tridoshic herb used for skin diseases, liver disorders, and as a rejuvenative.

ⓘ Information

Property	Value	Description
Rasa	Tikta	Tikta (Bitter) — detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic
Guna	Laghu, Snigdha	Laghu (Light) — easy to digest, promotes lightness; Snigdha (Oily/Unctuous) — moistening, nourishing
Virya	Ushna	Ushna (Hot) — heating, increases metabolism and Pitta
Vipaka	Katu	Katu (Pungent) — post-digestive pungent, lightening
Prabhava	rasayan, Hridaya, Kushtaghna	Rasayana — rejuvenative, promotes longevity and immunity; Hridaya — cardiac tonic, heart health; Kushtaghna — treats skin diseases

Sanskrit Synonyms

In the classical Ayurvedic texts, Kakamachi is known by the following Sanskrit names:

Kakamachi, Vayasasi, Rasayani, Sarvatikta

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Kakamachi are: panchanga, phala.

Main Indications

Kakamachi is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Kushta, Yakrit Roga, Shotha, Hridroga, Arsha.

Dosha Effects

Kakamachi pacifies Vata, Pitta, Kapha. It is tridoshic — balancing all three doshas.

Usage

Kakamachi is used in classical Ayurvedic formulations. Consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner for appropriate dosage and preparation based on your constitution (Prakriti) and current imbalance (Vikriti).

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API)

Source: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India — Government of India, Ministry of AYUSH

Rasa (Taste)Tikta, Kauu

Guna (Quality)Sara, Snigdha, Laghu

Virya (Potency)Uṣḍa

Vipaka (Post-digestive effect)Kauu

Karma (Action)V¡tahara, Pittahara, Kaphahara, Bhedana, Ras¡yana, Vrṣya, Svarya, Hrdya

Dose5 -10 ml of the drug in juice form.

Therapeutic Uses: Kuṣuha, Kaḍtū, Ar¿a, Prameha, śotha, Hrdroga, Jvara, Hikk¡,

Important Formulations: Hrday¡rḍava Rasa, Mah¡ Viṣagarbha Taila, Rasar¡ja Rasa

Botanical Name: Solanum nigrum Linn. (Solanaceae)

Part Used: W.P.

Therapeutic Uses (IMPPAT Database)

Source: Indian Medicinal Plants, Phytochemistry And Therapeutics (IMPPAT) v1.0 — CC BY 4.0

Part Used	Therapeutic Use	Identifiers	References
flower	Bronchitis	MESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20	ISBN:9788173717062
flower	Common cold	MESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00	ISBN:9788172361150
flower	Cough	MESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788173717062
flower	Diarrhea	MESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1	ISBN:9788173717062
flower	Erysipelas	MESH:D004886,UMLS:C0014733, DOID:11330, ICD-11:1B70.0	ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717062
flower	Fever	MESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26	ISBN:9788173717062
flower	Graves ophthalmopathy	MESH:D049970,UMLS:C0339143, ICD-11:5A02.0	ISBN:9788173717062
flower	Rabies	MESH:D011818,UMLS:C0034494, DOID:11260, ICD-11:1C82	ISBN:9788173717062
flower	Rat-bite fever	MESH:D011906,UMLS:C0034686, ICD-11:1B90	ISBN:9788173717062
flower	Tuberculosis, pulmonary	MESH:D014397,UMLS:C0041327, DOID:2957, ICD-11:1B10.Z	ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717062
fruit	Antipyretics	MESH:D058633,UMLS:C0003419, ICD-11:XM1RS7	ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361150
fruit	Asthma	MESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
fruit	Common cold	MESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00	ISBN:9788172361150
fruit	Cough	MESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788172361150
fruit	Diarrhea	MESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1	ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788172361266
fruit	Erysipelas	MESH:D004886,UMLS:C0014733, DOID:11330, ICD-11:1B70.0	ISBN:9788171360536
fruit	Eye diseases	MESH:D005128,UMLS:C0015397, DOID:5614, ICD-11:9E1Z	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788172361266
fruit	Fever	MESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26	ISBN:9788172361266
fruit	Heart diseases	MESH:D006331,UMLS:C0018799, DOID:114, ICD-11:BC4Z	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
fruit	Hemorrhoids	MESH:D006484,UMLS:C0019112, DOID:9746, ICD-11:DB60.Z	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
fruit	Jaundice	MESH:D007565,UMLS:C0022346, ICD-11:ME10.1	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
fruit	Rabies	MESH:D011818,UMLS:C0034494, DOID:11260, ICD-11:1C82	ISBN:9788172361266
fruit	General tonic for rejuvenation	MESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016	ISBN:9788172361150
fruit	Vitiligo	MESH:D014820,UMLS:C0042900, DOID:12306, ICD-11:ED63.0	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
leaf	Anti-inflammatory agents	MESH:D000893,UMLS:C0003209, ICD-11:XM7XD1	Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - II
leaf	Antirheumatic agents	MESH:D018501,UMLS:C0003191, ICD-11:XM95N2	ISBN:9788173717062
leaf	Diuretics	MESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06	ISBN:9788172361266
leaf	Edema	MESH:D004487,UMLS:C0013604, ICD-11:MG29.1	ISBN:9780387706375
leaf	Furunculosis	MESH:D005667,UMLS:C0016867, ICD-11:1B75.0	ISBN:9788172363093
leaf	Gastroschisis	MESH:D020139,UMLS:C0265706, DOID:11044, ICD-11:LB02	ISBN:9788173717062
leaf	Gout	MESH:D006073,UMLS:C0018099, DOID:13189, ICD-11:FA25	ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788173717062
leaf	Hemorrhoids	MESH:D006484,UMLS:C0019112, DOID:9746, ICD-11:DB60.Z	ISBN:9788172363093
leaf	Inflammation	MESH:D007249,UMLS:C0021368	Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - II
leaf	Laxatives	MESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3	ISBN:9788172361266
leaf	Orchitis	MESH:D009920,UMLS:C0029191, DOID:2518, ICD-11:GB02.Y	ISBN:9788172361150
leaf	Pharyngitis	MESH:D010612,UMLS:C0031350, DOID:2275, ICD-11:CA02.Z	Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - II
leaf	Pruritus	MESH:D011537,UMLS:C0033774, ICD-11:EC90	ISBN:9788172363093
leaf	Skin diseases	MESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0Z	ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172363093, ISBN:9788173717062
root	Ear diseases	MESH:D004427,UMLS:C0013447, ICD-11:AC0Z	ISBN:9788173717062
root	Graves ophthalmopathy	MESH:D049970,UMLS:C0339143, ICD-11:5A02.0	ISBN:9788173717062
root	Hepatitis	MESH:D006505,UMLS:C0019158, DOID:2237, ICD-11:DB97.Z	ISBN:9788173717062
root	Nasal disease	MESH:D009668,UMLS:C0028432, DOID:2825, ICD-11:CA0Z	ISBN:9788173717062
seed	Inflammation	MESH:D007249,UMLS:C0021368	ISBN:9788173717062
seed	Skin diseases	MESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0Z	ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717062
seed	Thirst	MESH:D013894	ISBN:9788173717062
shoot	Psoriasis	MESH:D011565,UMLS:C0033860, DOID:8893, ICD-11:EA90	ISBN:9788172361266
shoot	Skin diseases	MESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0Z	ISBN:9788172361266
whole plant	Analgesics	MESH:D000700,UMLS:C0002771, ICD-11:XM49F7	ISBN:9788172361150
whole plant	Anti-infective agents, local	MESH:D000891,UMLS:C0003205, ICD-11:XM4VG4	ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9789327275590
whole plant	Anti-inflammatory agents	MESH:D000893,UMLS:C0003209, ICD-11:XM7XD1	ISBN:9789327275590
whole plant	Antipyretics	MESH:D058633,UMLS:C0003419, ICD-11:XM1RS7	ISBN:9789327275590
whole plant	Cathartics	MESH:D002400,UMLS:C0007422, ICD-11:XM6GE9	ISBN:9788172361150
whole plant	Common cold	MESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00	ISBN:9789327275590
whole plant	Cough	MESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12	ISBN:9789327275590
whole plant	Diarrhea	MESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1	ISBN:9789327275590
whole plant	Diuretics	MESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06	ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9789327275590
whole plant	Dysentery	MESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.Z	ISBN:9788172361150
whole plant	Expectorants	MESH:D005100,UMLS:C0015314	ISBN:9788172361150
whole plant	Gout	MESH:D006073,UMLS:C0018099, DOID:13189, ICD-11:FA25	ISBN:9789327275590
whole plant	Hypnotics and sedatives	MESH:D006993,UMLS:C0020592, ICD-11:XM3GR8	ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9789327275590
whole plant	Laxatives	MESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3	ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9789327275590
whole plant	Orchitis	MESH:D009920,UMLS:C0029191, DOID:2518, ICD-11:GB02.Y	ISBN:9789327275590
whole plant	Parasympatholytics	MESH:D010276,UMLS:C0030511, ICD-11:XM3A77	ISBN:9789327275590
whole plant	General tonic for rejuvenation	MESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016	ISBN:9788172361150
whole plant	Rheumatic diseases	MESH:D012216,UMLS:C0035435, DOID:1575	ISBN:9789327275590
whole plant	Skin diseases	MESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0Z	ISBN:9789327275590
whole plant	Diaphoretic	UMLS:C1707737	ISBN:9788172361150
	Analgesics	MESH:D000700,UMLS:C0002771, ICD-11:XM49F7	ISBN:9788173717062
	Anti-infective agents, local	MESH:D000891,UMLS:C0003205, ICD-11:XM4VG4	ISBN:9788173717062
	Anti-inflammatory agents	MESH:D000893,UMLS:C0003209, ICD-11:XM7XD1	ISBN:9780387706375
	Antineoplastic agents	MESH:D000970,UMLS:C0003392	ISBN:9788172363093
	Antipyretics	MESH:D058633,UMLS:C0003419, ICD-11:XM1RS7	ISBN:9788173717062
	Antirheumatic agents	MESH:D018501,UMLS:C0003191, ICD-11:XM95N2	ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788173717062
	Asthenia	MESH:D001247,UMLS:C0004093, ICD-11:MG22	ISBN:9788173717062
	Asthma	MESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23	ISBN:9788173717062
	Bronchitis	MESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20	ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717062
	Cardiotonic agents	MESH:D002316,UMLS:C0007209, ICD-11:XM91S1	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788173717062
	Cathartics	MESH:D002400,UMLS:C0007422, ICD-11:XM6GE9	ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788173717062
	Common cold	MESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00	ISBN:9788171360536
	Cough	MESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12	ISBN:9788173717062
	Demulcents	MESH:D065106,UMLS:C0302232	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
	Diabetes mellitus	MESH:D003920,UMLS:C0011849, DOID:9351, ICD-11:5A14	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
	Diarrhea	MESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1	A Report On Medicinal Plants Of Kachchh (Gujarat)
	Diuretics	MESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06	A Report On Medicinal Plants Of Kachchh (Gujarat), ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788173717062
	Dysentery	MESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.Z	A Report On Medicinal Plants Of Kachchh (Gujarat), ISBN:9788172361266
	Dyspepsia	MESH:D004415,UMLS:C0013395, ICD-11:DD90.3	ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717062
	Earache	MESH:D004433,UMLS:C0013456, ICD-11:AB70.2	ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717062
	Edema	MESH:D004487,UMLS:C0013604, ICD-11:MG29.1	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788173717062
	Emollients	MESH:D004643,UMLS:C0013983, ICD-11:XM1C59	ISBN:9788173717062
	Expectorants	MESH:D005100,UMLS:C0015314	ISBN:9788173717062
	Eye diseases	MESH:D005128,UMLS:C0015397, DOID:5614, ICD-11:9E1Z	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788172361150
	Fertility agents	MESH:D005299,UMLS:C0015896	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
	Fever	MESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788173717062
	Flatulence	MESH:D005414,UMLS:C0016204, ICD-11:ME08	ISBN:9788173717062
	Gonorrhea	MESH:D006069,UMLS:C0018081, DOID:7551, ICD-11:1A7Z	ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361150
	Gout	MESH:D006073,UMLS:C0018099, DOID:13189, ICD-11:FA25	ISBN:9788172361150
	Graves ophthalmopathy	MESH:D049970,UMLS:C0339143, ICD-11:5A02.0	ISBN:9788173717062
	Heart diseases	MESH:D006331,UMLS:C0018799, DOID:114, ICD-11:BC4Z	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788173717062
	Hemoptysis	MESH:D006469,UMLS:C0019079, ICD-11:MD22	ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788172361266
	Hemorrhage	MESH:D006470,UMLS:C0019080, ICD-11:MG27	ISBN:9788173717062
	Hemorrhoids	MESH:D006484,UMLS:C0019112, DOID:9746, ICD-11:DB60.Z	A Report On Medicinal Plants Of Kachchh (Gujarat), ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788172361266
	Hepatomegaly	MESH:D006529,UMLS:C0019209, ICD-11:ME10.00	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788173717062
	Hiccup	MESH:D006606,UMLS:C0019521, ICD-11:MD11.6	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788173717062
	Hoarseness	MESH:D006685,UMLS:C0019825, ICD-11:MA82.10	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717062
	Hypertension	MESH:D006973,UMLS:C0020538, DOID:10763, ICD-11:BA00.Z	ISBN:9788173717062
	Hypnotics and sedatives	MESH:D006993,UMLS:C0020592, ICD-11:XM3GR8	ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788173717062
	Kidney diseases	MESH:D007674,UMLS:C0022658, DOID:557, ICD-11:GC2Z	ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717062
	Laxatives	MESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788173717062
	Leprosy	MESH:D007918,UMLS:C0023343, DOID:1024, ICD-11:1B20	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717062
	Liver injury	MESH:D008099,UMLS:C0160390, ICD-11:NB91.1	A Report On Medicinal Plants Of Kachchh (Gujarat)
	Narcotics	MESH:D009294,UMLS:C0027415	ISBN:9788172361150
	Parasympatholytics	MESH:D010276,UMLS:C0030511, ICD-11:XM3A77	ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361150
	General tonic for rejuvenation	MESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788172361266
	Rhinitis	MESH:D012220,UMLS:C0035455, DOID:4483, ICD-11:CA09.0	ISBN:9788173717062
	Skin diseases	MESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0Z	ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788173717062
	Splenic diseases	MESH:D013158,UMLS:C0037997, DOID:2529, ICD-11:3B8Z	ISBN:9788172361150
	Splenomegaly	MESH:D013163,UMLS:C0038002, ICD-11:ME10.01	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717062
	Ulcer	MESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582	ISBN:9788173717062
	Urination disorders	MESH:D014555,UMLS:C0042035, ICD-11:GB0Y	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788173717062
	Vomiting	MESH:D014839,UMLS:C0042963, ICD-11:MD90.1	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788173717062
	Wound healing	MESH:D014945,UMLS:C0043240	ISBN:9788173717062
	Wounds and injuries	MESH:D014947,UMLS:C0043251	ISBN:9788173717062
	Diaphoretic	UMLS:C1707737	ISBN:9788173717062