Kataka — Clearing Nut Tree

Ayurvedic herb Kataka (Strychnos potatorum) — Clearing Nut Tree. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Madhura, Kashaya, Virya Sheeta, Vipaka Madhura. Balances Vata, Kapha.

Ayurvedic Herbs A–Z 1 min read

Strychnos potatorum (Clearing Nut) is used for eye diseases and to purify water.

ⓘ Information

Property	Value	Description
Rasa	Madhura, Kashaya	Madhura (Sweet) — nourishing, grounding, promotes tissue growth; Kashaya (Astringent) — drying, absorbent, wound-healing
Guna	Laghu, Snigdha	Laghu (Light) — easy to digest, promotes lightness; Snigdha (Oily/Unctuous) — moistening, nourishing
Virya	Sheeta	Sheeta (Cold) — cooling, decreases Pitta and inflammation
Vipaka	Madhura	Madhura (Sweet) — post-digestive sweet, nourishing
Prabhava	Chakshushya, Vishaghna	Chakshushya — eye health promoter; Vishaghna — anti-toxin, antidote

Sanskrit Synonyms

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

Ambuprasadana, Katutumbi bheda, Chakshushya, Lekhana

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Kataka are: bija.

Main Indications

Kataka is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Netraroga, Prameha, Ashmari, Mutrakrichha, Visha.

Dosha Effects

Kataka pacifies Vata, Kapha.

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

Usage

Kataka 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)Madhura, Tikta, Kaṣ¡ya

Guna (Quality)Guru, śita

Virya (Potency)Uṣḍa

Vipaka (Post-digestive effect)Kauu

Karma (Action)Cakṣusya, V¡tahara, śleṣmahara, Viṣaghna, Pittala, ā¿u Drṣuipras¡dakrt (K¡¿yapa), Jala Pras¡dakara

Dose3-6 gm

Therapeutic Uses: Mūtrakrcchra, Mūtr¡¿mari, Krmi, Aruci, Trṣḍ¡, śūla, Netraroga,

Important Formulations: Da¿amūl¡riṣua, Nirūry¡di Guuik¡

Botanical Name: Strychnos potatorum Linn. (Loganiaceae)

Part Used: Sd.

Therapeutic Uses (IMPPAT Database)

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

Part Used	Therapeutic Use	Identifiers	References
bark	Cholera	MESH:D002771,UMLS:C0008354, DOID:1498, ICD-11:1A00	ISBN:9788173717062
bark	Dysentery	MESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.Z	ISBN:9780387706375
bark	Headache	MESH:D006261,UMLS:C0018681, ICD-11:8A81.Z	Contribution To The Medico-Botany Of East Godavari And West Godavari Districts Of Andhra Pradesh
bark	Nasal disease	MESH:D009668,UMLS:C0028432, DOID:2825, ICD-11:CA0Z	Contribution To The Medico-Botany Of East Godavari And West Godavari Districts Of Andhra Pradesh
fruit	Anthelmintics	MESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0	Contribution To The Medico-Botany Of East Godavari And West Godavari Districts Of Andhra Pradesh
fruit	Bronchitis	MESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20	Contribution To The Medico-Botany Of East Godavari And West Godavari Districts Of Andhra Pradesh
fruit	Diabetes mellitus	MESH:D003920,UMLS:C0011849, DOID:9351, ICD-11:5A14	ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361150
fruit	Dysentery	MESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.Z	ISBN:9788172361150
fruit	Emetics	MESH:D004639,UMLS:C0013973	ISBN:9788172361150
fruit	Expectorants	MESH:D005100,UMLS:C0015314	ISBN:9780387706375
leaf	Ulcer	MESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582	ISBN:9788173717062
rhizome	Anthelmintics	MESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0	Contribution To The Medico-Botany Of East Godavari And West Godavari Districts Of Andhra Pradesh
rhizome	Bronchitis	MESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20	Contribution To The Medico-Botany Of East Godavari And West Godavari Districts Of Andhra Pradesh
root	Bites and stings	MESH:D001733,UMLS:C0005659	Contribution To The Medico-Botany Of East Godavari And West Godavari Districts Of Andhra Pradesh
root	Leprosy	MESH:D007918,UMLS:C0023343, DOID:1024, ICD-11:1B20	ISBN:9788173717062
seed	Anthelmintics	MESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0	ISBN:9788173717062
seed	Aphrodisiacs	MESH:D001046,UMLS:C0003567	ISBN:9788173717062
seed	Appetite stimulants	MESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447	ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788173717062, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
seed	Bronchitis	MESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20	ISBN:9788173717062
seed	Cholinesterase inhibitors	MESH:D002800,UMLS:C0008425	ISBN:9788172363093
seed	Conjunctivitis	MESH:D003231,UMLS:C0009763, DOID:6195, ICD-11:9A60	ISBN:9788173717062
seed	Demulcents	MESH:D065106,UMLS:C0302232	ISBN:9788172361150
seed	Diabetes mellitus	MESH:D003920,UMLS:C0011849, DOID:9351, ICD-11:5A14	ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788173717062
seed	Diarrhea	MESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1	ISBN:9788173717062
seed	Diuretics	MESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06	ISBN:9788173717062
seed	Dysentery	MESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.Z	ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788173717062
seed	Emetics	MESH:D004639,UMLS:C0013973	ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788173717062
seed	Eye diseases	MESH:D005128,UMLS:C0015397, DOID:5614, ICD-11:9E1Z	ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788173717062
seed	Gonorrhea	MESH:D006069,UMLS:C0018081, DOID:7551, ICD-11:1A7Z	ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788173717062
seed	Infection	MESH:D007239,UMLS:C3714514, ICD-11:1H0Z	ISBN:9788173717062
seed	Kidney diseases	MESH:D007674,UMLS:C0022658, DOID:557, ICD-11:GC2Z	ISBN:9788173717062
seed	Leukorrhea	MESH:D007973,UMLS:C0023533, DOID:3766, ICD-11:MF3A	ISBN:9788173717062
seed	Liver diseases	MESH:D008107,UMLS:C0023895, DOID:409, ICD-11:SA0Z	ISBN:9788173717062
seed	Pain	MESH:D010146,UMLS:C0030193, ICD-11:MG3Z	ISBN:9788173717062
seed	General tonic for rejuvenation	MESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016	ISBN:9788172361150, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
seed	Scleritis	MESH:D015423,UMLS:C0036416, DOID:13452, ICD-11:9B51	ISBN:9788173717062
seed	Stomach diseases	MESH:D013272,UMLS:C0038354, DOID:76, ICD-11:DA4Y	ISBN:9788173717062
seed	Thirst	MESH:D013894	ISBN:9788173717062
seed	Ulcer	MESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582	ISBN:9788173717062
seed	Urinary bladder calculi	MESH:D001744,UMLS:C0005683, ICD-11:GB71.0	ISBN:9788173717062
seed	Urination disorders	MESH:D014555,UMLS:C0042035, ICD-11:GB0Y	ISBN:9788173717062
seed	Coagulants	MESH:D003029,UMLS:C0009117	Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
	Abscess	MESH:D000038,UMLS:C0000833, SYMP:0000672, ICD-11:1B75.3	ISBN:9788172361150
	Anthelmintics	MESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0	Contribution To The Medico-Botany Of East Godavari And West Godavari Districts Of Andhra Pradesh
	Bronchitis	MESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20	Contribution To The Medico-Botany Of East Godavari And West Godavari Districts Of Andhra Pradesh
	Conjunctivitis	MESH:D003231,UMLS:C0009763, DOID:6195, ICD-11:9A60	ISBN:9788172361150
	Diabetes mellitus	MESH:D003920,UMLS:C0011849, DOID:9351, ICD-11:5A14	ISBN:9788172361150
	Diarrhea	MESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1	ISBN:9788172361150
	Dysentery	MESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.Z	ISBN:9788172361150
	Expectorants	MESH:D005100,UMLS:C0015314	ISBN:9788172361150
	Eye diseases	MESH:D005128,UMLS:C0015397, DOID:5614, ICD-11:9E1Z	ISBN:9788172361150
	Eye infections	MESH:D015817,UMLS:C0015403, ICD-11:9C20.2	ISBN:9788172361150
	Gonorrhea	MESH:D006069,UMLS:C0018081, DOID:7551, ICD-11:1A7Z	ISBN:9788172361150
	Headache	MESH:D006261,UMLS:C0018681, ICD-11:8A81.Z	Contribution To The Medico-Botany Of East Godavari And West Godavari Districts Of Andhra Pradesh