Kantakari — Yellow-berried Nightshade

Ayurvedic herb Kantakari (Solanum surattense) — Yellow-berried Nightshade. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Katu, Tikta, Virya Ushna, Vipaka Katu. Balances Vata, Kapha.

Ayurvedic Herbs A–Z 1 min read
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Effective in asthma, cough, and respiratory diseases.

ⓘ Information
PropertyValueDescription
RasaKatu, TiktaKatu (Pungent) — stimulates digestion, circulation, expectorant; Tikta (Bitter) — detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic
GunaLaghu, RukshaLaghu (Light) — easy to digest, promotes lightness; Ruksha (Dry) — absorbs moisture, drying
ViryaUshnaUshna (Hot) — heating, increases metabolism and Pitta
VipakaKatuKatu (Pungent) — post-digestive pungent, lightening
PrabhavaShwasahara, KasaharaShwasahara — relieves dyspnea and asthma; Kasahara — relieves cough

Sanskrit Synonyms

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

Duhsparsha, Kshudra, Vyaghri, Nidigdhika

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Kantakari are: panchanga.

Main Indications

Kantakari is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Kasa, Shwasa, Jwara, Pinasa, Parshwashoola.

Dosha Effects

Kantakari pacifies Vata, Kapha.

It may aggravate Pitta when used in excess or in sensitive individuals.

Usage

Kantakari 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)Kauu, Tikta
Guna (Quality)Laghu, Rūkṣa
Virya (Potency)Uṣḍa
Vipaka (Post-digestive effect)Kauu
Karma (Action)Dipana, P¡cana, āmadoṣan¡¿aka, Kaḍuhya, śothahara
Dose20-30 g of the drug for decoction
Therapeutic Uses: śv¡sa, K¡sa, Jvara, Aruci, Pinasa, P¡r¿va¿ūla, Svarabheda
Important Formulations: Kaḍuak¡ry¡valeha, Paṃcatiktaka Ghrta, Vy¡ghrihar
Botanical Name: Solanum surattense Burm. (Solanaceae)
Part Used: W.P.

Therapeutic Uses (IMPPAT Database)

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

Part UsedTherapeutic UseIdentifiersReferences
fruitHair lossMESH:D000505,UMLS:C0002170, DOID:987, ICD-11:ED70ISBN:9788171360536
fruitAnti-bacterial agentsMESH:D000900,UMLS:C0279516, ICD-11:XM8XH0ISBN:9788173717062
fruitAntifungal agentsMESH:D000935,UMLS:C0003308, ICD-11:XM83G4ISBN:9788173717062
fruitAntipruriticsMESH:D000982,UMLS:C0003417, ICD-11:EC90ISBN:9788173717062
fruitDigestive system diseasesMESH:D004066,UMLS:C0012242, ICD-11:DE2ZISBN:9788172361150
fruitLaxativesMESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788173717062
fruitToothacheMESH:D014098,UMLS:C0040460, ICD-11:DA0A.YISBN:9788173717062
leafAnti-bacterial agentsMESH:D000900,UMLS:C0279516, ICD-11:XM8XH0ISBN:9788173717062
leafAntiemeticsMESH:D000932,UMLS:C0003297, ICD-11:XM4VY6ISBN:9788172361150
leafAntifungal agentsMESH:D000935,UMLS:C0003308, ICD-11:XM83G4ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717062
leafAntipruriticsMESH:D000982,UMLS:C0003417, ICD-11:EC90ISBN:9788173717062
leafLaxativesMESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3ISBN:9788173717062
leafToothacheMESH:D014098,UMLS:C0040460, ICD-11:DA0A.YISBN:9788173717062
rootAntipruriticsMESH:D000982,UMLS:C0003417, ICD-11:EC90ISBN:9788171360536
rootAsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9788171360536
rootBronchitisMESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20ISBN:9788171360536
rootColicMESH:D003085,UMLS:C0232488, ICD-11:MD81.4ISBN:9788171360536
rootCommon coldMESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00ISBN:9788171360536
rootDiarrheaMESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1ISBN:9788171360536
rootDyspepsiaMESH:D004415,UMLS:C0013395, ICD-11:DD90.3ISBN:9788171360536
rootExpectorantsMESH:D005100,UMLS:C0015314ISBN:9788172361150
rootFlatulenceMESH:D005414,UMLS:C0016204, ICD-11:ME08ISBN:9788172361150
rootLeprosyMESH:D007918,UMLS:C0023343, DOID:1024, ICD-11:1B20ISBN:9788171360536
rootGeneral tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016ISBN:9788172361150
rootSkin diseasesMESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0ZISBN:9788171360536
rootToothacheMESH:D014098,UMLS:C0040460, ICD-11:DA0A.YISBN:9788171360536
rootDiaphoreticUMLS:C1707737ISBN:9788172361150
seedDysuriaMESH:D053159,UMLS:C0013428, ICD-11:MF50.7ISBN:9788172361150
seedToothacheMESH:D014098,UMLS:C0040460, ICD-11:DA0A.YISBN:9788172361150
whole plantAnthelminticsMESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0ISBN:9788190595216
whole plantAsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9788190595216
whole plantCoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9788190595216
whole plantDigestive system diseasesMESH:D004066,UMLS:C0012242, ICD-11:DE2ZISBN:9788190595216
whole plantExpectorantsMESH:D005100,UMLS:C0015314ISBN:9788172361150
whole plantEye diseasesMESH:D005128,UMLS:C0015397, DOID:5614, ICD-11:9E1ZISBN:9788190595216
whole plantFeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:9788190595216
whole plantFlatulenceMESH:D005414,UMLS:C0016204, ICD-11:ME08ISBN:9788172361150
whole plantHeart diseasesMESH:D006331,UMLS:C0018799, DOID:114, ICD-11:BC4ZISBN:9788190595216
whole plantHiccupMESH:D006606,UMLS:C0019521, ICD-11:MD11.6ISBN:9788190595216
whole plantHoarsenessMESH:D006685,UMLS:C0019825, ICD-11:MA82.10ISBN:9788190595216
whole plantLeprosy, lepromatousMESH:D015440,UMLS:C0023348, DOID:10887, ICD-11:1B20.1ISBN:9788190595216
whole plantPainMESH:D010146,UMLS:C0030193, ICD-11:MG3ZISBN:9788190595216
whole plantRhinitisMESH:D012220,UMLS:C0035455, DOID:4483, ICD-11:CA09.0ISBN:9788190595216
whole plantTaste disordersMESH:D013651,UMLS:C0039338, ICD-11:MB41.2ISBN:9788190595216
whole plantVomitingMESH:D014839,UMLS:C0042963, ICD-11:MD90.1ISBN:9788190595216
Hair lossMESH:D000505,UMLS:C0002170, DOID:987, ICD-11:ED70ISBN:9788172361150
AmenorrheaMESH:D000568,UMLS:C0002453, DOID:13938, ICD-11:GA20.0ISBN:9788173717062
AnalgesicsMESH:D000700,UMLS:C0002771, ICD-11:XM49F7ISBN:9788173717062
AnthelminticsMESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0ISBN:9788173717062
AntipruriticsMESH:D000982,UMLS:C0003417, ICD-11:EC90ISBN:9788173717062
AntipyreticsMESH:D058633,UMLS:C0003419, ICD-11:XM1RS7ISBN:9788173717062
AphrodisiacsMESH:D001046,UMLS:C0003567ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788173717062
Appetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447ISBN:9788173717062
AsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788173717062
AstringentsMESH:D001252,UMLS:C0004110, ICD-11:XM0VK6ISBN:9788172361150
BronchitisMESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20ISBN:9788173717062
Cardiotonic agentsMESH:D002316,UMLS:C0007209, ICD-11:XM91S1ISBN:9788173717062
Cardiovascular diseasesMESH:D002318,UMLS:C0007222, DOID:1287, ICD-11:BE2ZISBN:9788173717062
ColicMESH:D003085,UMLS:C0232488, ICD-11:MD81.4ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361150
Common coldMESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00ISBN:9788172361150
CoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788173717062
DiarrheaMESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1ISBN:9788173717062
DiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9788173717062
DysmenorrheaMESH:D004412,UMLS:C0013390, ICD-11:GA34.3ISBN:9788173717062
DyspepsiaMESH:D004415,UMLS:C0013395, ICD-11:DD90.3ISBN:9788173717062
DysuriaMESH:D053159,UMLS:C0013428, ICD-11:MF50.7ISBN:9788172361150
EdemaMESH:D004487,UMLS:C0013604, ICD-11:MG29.1ISBN:9788172361150
ExpectorantsMESH:D005100,UMLS:C0015314ISBN:9788173717062
FeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788173717062
FlatulenceMESH:D005414,UMLS:C0016204, ICD-11:ME08ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788173717062
Labor painMESH:D048949,UMLS:C0474368ISBN:9788172361150
LeprosyMESH:D007918,UMLS:C0023343, DOID:1024, ICD-11:1B20ISBN:9788173717062
Menstruation-inducing agentsMESH:D008600,UMLS:C0025346ISBN:9788173717062
Skin diseasesMESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0ZISBN:9788173717062
ToothacheMESH:D014098,UMLS:C0040460, ICD-11:DA0A.YISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788173717062
Urination disordersMESH:D014555,UMLS:C0042035, ICD-11:GB0YISBN:9788173717062
VomitingMESH:D014839,UMLS:C0042963, ICD-11:MD90.1ISBN:9788173717062