Koshataki — Angled Luffa

Ayurvedic herb Koshataki (Luffa acutangula) — Angled Luffa. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Tikta, Virya Ushna, Vipaka Katu. Balances Pitta, Kapha.

Ayurvedic Herbs A–Z 1 min read
This content is for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional.

Luffa is a bitter vegetable used to cleanse the liver and purify the blood.

ⓘ Information
PropertyValueDescription
RasaTiktaTikta (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
PrabhavaYakritottejaka, VirechanaYakritottejaka; Virechana — purgative, therapeutic cleansing

Sanskrit Synonyms

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

Kritavedhana, Dhamargava, Rajakoshataki

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Koshataki are: bija, phala, panchanga.

Main Indications

Koshataki is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Kushta, Kamala, Pliharoga, Shotha, Udararoga.

Dosha Effects

Koshataki pacifies Pitta, Kapha.

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

Usage

Koshataki 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, Alpa Kaṣ¡ya
Guna (Quality)Tikṣḍa, Laghu
Virya (Potency)śita
Vipaka (Post-digestive effect)Kauu
Karma (Action)Kaphapittaghna, Malavi¿odhani, Vamanopaga, Tridoṣahara
Dose5 - 10 g
Therapeutic Uses: Kuṣuha, P¡ḍtu, Plih¡roga, śopha, Gulma, ādhm¡na, Garaviṣa, Ar¿a,
Important Formulations: Abhay¡ Lavaḍa
Botanical Name: Luffa acutangula (Cucurbitaceae)
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
aerial partAntioxidantsMESH:D000975,UMLS:C0003402ISBN:9770972795006
fruitAnti-bacterial agentsMESH:D000900,UMLS:C0279516, ICD-11:XM8XH0ISBN:9770972795006
fruitAntifungal agentsMESH:D000935,UMLS:C0003308, ICD-11:XM83G4ISBN:9770972795006
fruitAppetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361792
fruitBites and stingsMESH:D001733,UMLS:C0005659ISBN:9770972795006
fruitCardiotonic agentsMESH:D002316,UMLS:C0007209, ICD-11:XM91S1ISBN:9770972795006
fruitCatharticsMESH:D002400,UMLS:C0007422, ICD-11:XM6GE9ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172361792, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
fruitCentral nervous system depressantsMESH:D002492,UMLS:C0007681, ICD-11:XM6QP4ISBN:9770972795006
fruitDemulcentsMESH:D065106,UMLS:C0302232ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361792
fruitDiet, food, and nutritionMESH:D000066888,UMLS:C4042949ISBN:9770972795006
fruitDiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361792, ISBN:9788173717048
fruitEaracheMESH:D004433,UMLS:C0013456, ICD-11:AB70.2ISBN:9770972795006
fruitEmeticsMESH:D004639,UMLS:C0013973ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172361792, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
fruitExpectorantsMESH:D005100,UMLS:C0015314Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
fruitFurunculosisMESH:D005667,UMLS:C0016867, ICD-11:1B75.0ISBN:9770972795006
fruitGastric mucosaMESH:D005753,UMLS:C0017136ISBN:9788172362461
fruitHeadacheMESH:D006261,UMLS:C0018681, ICD-11:8A81.ZISBN:9770972795006
fruitHemorrhageMESH:D006470,UMLS:C0019080, ICD-11:MG27ISBN:9770972795006
fruitHemorrhoidsMESH:D006484,UMLS:C0019112, DOID:9746, ICD-11:DB60.ZISBN:9770972795006
fruitCounterirritantUMLS:C0010215ISBN:9788172362461
fruitJaundiceMESH:D007565,UMLS:C0022346, ICD-11:ME10.1ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
fruitJoint diseasesMESH:D007592,UMLS:C0022408, DOID:381, ICD-11:FA5ZISBN:9770972795006
fruitKidney diseasesMESH:D007674,UMLS:C0022658, DOID:557, ICD-11:GC2ZISBN:9770972795006
fruitLaxativesMESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3A Report On Medicinal Plants Of Kachchh (Gujarat)
fruitLiver diseasesMESH:D008107,UMLS:C0023895, DOID:409, ICD-11:SA0ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172362461
fruitMigraine disordersMESH:D008881,UMLS:C0149931, DOID:6364, ICD-11:8A80.ZISBN:9770972795006
fruitMiliariaMESH:D008883,UMLS:C0026113, DOID:1382, ICD-11:EE02ISBN:9770972795006
fruitSkin diseasesMESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0ZISBN:9770972795006
fruitSnake bitesMESH:D012909,UMLS:C0037379ISBN:9770972795006
fruitUlcerMESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582ISBN:9770972795006
fruitUrination disordersMESH:D014555,UMLS:C0042035, ICD-11:GB0YISBN:9770972795006
leafAmenorrheaMESH:D000568,UMLS:C0002453, DOID:13938, ICD-11:GA20.0ISBN:9770972795006
leafAnthelminticsMESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0ISBN:9770972795006
leafAnti-bacterial agentsMESH:D000900,UMLS:C0279516, ICD-11:XM8XH0ISBN:9770972795006
leafAntifungal agentsMESH:D000935,UMLS:C0003308, ICD-11:XM83G4ISBN:9788173717048
leafAnti-infective agents, localMESH:D000891,UMLS:C0003205, ICD-11:XM4VG4ISBN:9770972795006
leafAntineoplastic agentsMESH:D000970,UMLS:C0003392ISBN:9770972795006
leafCatharticsMESH:D002400,UMLS:C0007422, ICD-11:XM6GE9ISBN:9770972795006, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
leafConjunctivitisMESH:D003231,UMLS:C0009763, DOID:6195, ICD-11:9A60ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
leafDyspepsiaMESH:D004415,UMLS:C0013395, ICD-11:DD90.3ISBN:9770972795006
leafEdemaMESH:D004487,UMLS:C0013604, ICD-11:MG29.1ISBN:9770972795006
leafEmeticsMESH:D004639,UMLS:C0013973ISBN:9770972795006, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
leafExpectorantsMESH:D005100,UMLS:C0015314Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
leafHemorrhageMESH:D006470,UMLS:C0019080, ICD-11:MG27ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172361792, ISBN:9788173717048, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
leafHemorrhoidsMESH:D006484,UMLS:C0019112, DOID:9746, ICD-11:DB60.ZISBN:9770972795006, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
leafInsecticidesMESH:D007306,UMLS:C0021576, ICD-11:XM3K66ISBN:9770972795006
leafJaundiceMESH:D007565,UMLS:C0022346, ICD-11:ME10.1ISBN:9770972795006
leafKidney diseasesMESH:D007674,UMLS:C0022658, DOID:557, ICD-11:GC2ZISBN:9770972795006, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
leafLeprosyMESH:D007918,UMLS:C0023343, DOID:1024, ICD-11:1B20ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172361792, ISBN:9788173717048, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
leafNeuralgiaMESH:D009437,UMLS:C0027796, ICD-11:MG30.5ZISBN:9770972795006
leafScorpion stingsMESH:D065008,UMLS:C0238417, ICD-11:NE61ISBN:9770972795006
leafSnake bitesMESH:D012909,UMLS:C0037379ISBN:9770972795006
leafSplenomegalyMESH:D013163,UMLS:C0038002, ICD-11:ME10.01ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172361792, ISBN:9788173717048
leafToothacheMESH:D014098,UMLS:C0040460, ICD-11:DA0A.YISBN:9770972795006
leafTrachomaMESH:D014141,UMLS:C0040592, DOID:11265, ICD-11:1C23ISBN:9788173717048
leafWounds and injuriesMESH:D014947,UMLS:C0043251ISBN:9770972795006, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
rootCalculiMESH:D002137,UMLS:C0006736ISBN:9770972795006
rootEdemaMESH:D004487,UMLS:C0013604, ICD-11:MG29.1ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361792
rootFemale urogenital diseasesMESH:D052776,UMLS:C1720887ISBN:9770972795006
rootGonorrheaMESH:D006069,UMLS:C0018081, DOID:7551, ICD-11:1A7ZISBN:9788171360536
rootHemorrhageMESH:D006470,UMLS:C0019080, ICD-11:MG27ISBN:9770972795006
rootHemorrhoidsMESH:D006484,UMLS:C0019112, DOID:9746, ICD-11:DB60.ZISBN:9770972795006
rootLaxativesMESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3ISBN:9770972795006
seedAbdominal painMESH:D015746,UMLS:C0000737, SYMP:0000457, ICD-11:MD81.4ISBN:9770972795006
seedAnalgesicsMESH:D000700,UMLS:C0002771, ICD-11:XM49F7ISBN:9770972795006
seedAnthelminticsMESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0ISBN:9770972795006
seedAntifungal agentsMESH:D000935,UMLS:C0003308, ICD-11:XM83G4ISBN:9770972795006
seedAnti-inflammatory agentsMESH:D000893,UMLS:C0003209, ICD-11:XM7XD1ISBN:9770972795006
seedAntioxidantsMESH:D000975,UMLS:C0003402ISBN:9770972795006
seedCatharticsMESH:D002400,UMLS:C0007422, ICD-11:XM6GE9ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172361792, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
seedDemulcentsMESH:D065106,UMLS:C0302232ISBN:9770972795006, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
seedDysenteryMESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172361792
seedDyspepsiaMESH:D004415,UMLS:C0013395, ICD-11:DD90.3ISBN:9770972795006
seedEmeticsMESH:D004639,UMLS:C0013973ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172361792, ISBN:9788173717048, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
seedExpectorantsMESH:D005100,UMLS:C0015314ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361792, ISBN:9788173717048, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
seedEye painMESH:D058447,UMLS:C0151827, ICD-11:MC16ISBN:9770972795006
seedHemorrhageMESH:D006470,UMLS:C0019080, ICD-11:MG27ISBN:9770972795006
seedJaundiceMESH:D007565,UMLS:C0022346, ICD-11:ME10.1ISBN:9770972795006
seedLeprosyMESH:D007918,UMLS:C0023343, DOID:1024, ICD-11:1B20ISBN:9770972795006
seedSkin diseasesMESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717048
seedSkin diseases, infectiousMESH:D012874,UMLS:C0037278ISBN:9770972795006
seedSplenomegalyMESH:D013163,UMLS:C0038002, ICD-11:ME10.01ISBN:9770972795006
seedTooth diseasesMESH:D014076,UMLS:C0040435, DOID:1091, ICD-11:DA07.ZISBN:9770972795006
seedUrinary bladder diseasesMESH:D001745,UMLS:C0005686, DOID:365ISBN:9770972795006
seedVomitingMESH:D014839,UMLS:C0042963, ICD-11:MD90.1ISBN:9770972795006
stemDiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9770972795006
stemJaundiceMESH:D007565,UMLS:C0022346, ICD-11:ME10.1ISBN:9770972795006
whole plantAppetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447ISBN:9788172361792
whole plantAsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9788172361792
whole plantDiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9788172361792
whole plantLaxativesMESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3ISBN:9788172361792
whole plantSkin diseasesMESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0ZISBN:9788172361792
whole plantSplenomegalyMESH:D013163,UMLS:C0038002, ICD-11:ME10.01ISBN:9788172361792
whole plant excluding rootDiabetes mellitusMESH:D003920,UMLS:C0011849, DOID:9351, ICD-11:5A14ISBN:9770972795006
whole plant excluding rootHypoglycemic agentsMESH:D007004,UMLS:C0020616ISBN:9770972795006
Abdominal painMESH:D015746,UMLS:C0000737, SYMP:0000457, ICD-11:MD81.4ISBN:9770972795006
AmenorrheaMESH:D000568,UMLS:C0002453, DOID:13938, ICD-11:GA20.0ISBN:9788172361792
AnemiaMESH:D000740,UMLS:C0002871, DOID:2355, ICD-11:3A9ZISBN:9770972795006
AnticonvulsantsMESH:D000927,UMLS:C0003286, ICD-11:XM07T3ISBN:9788172361792
AntidotesMESH:D000931,UMLS:C0003295, ICD-11:XM1S43ISBN:9770972795006
Antineoplastic agentsMESH:D000970,UMLS:C0003392ISBN:9788172362461
Appetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266
AscitesMESH:D001201,UMLS:C0003962, ICD-11:ME04ISBN:9770972795006
AsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361266
BronchitisMESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20ISBN:9770972795006
CatharticsMESH:D002400,UMLS:C0007422, ICD-11:XM6GE9ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361266, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
ConjunctivitisMESH:D003231,UMLS:C0009763, DOID:6195, ICD-11:9A60ISBN:9788172361792
ConstipationMESH:D003248,UMLS:C0009806, DOID:2089, ICD-11:ME05.0ISBN:9770972795006
CoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9770972795006
DiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361266, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
EdemaMESH:D004487,UMLS:C0013604, ICD-11:MG29.1ISBN:9770972795006
EmeticsMESH:D004639,UMLS:C0013973Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
ExpectorantsMESH:D005100,UMLS:C0015314Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
FeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:9770972795006
Foodborne diseasesMESH:D005517,UMLS:C0679360ISBN:9770972795006
HemorrhageMESH:D006470,UMLS:C0019080, ICD-11:MG27ISBN:9770972795006
HemorrhoidsMESH:D006484,UMLS:C0019112, DOID:9746, ICD-11:DB60.ZISBN:9770972795006
HyperbilirubinemiaMESH:D006932,UMLS:C0020433, ICD-11:5C58.0YISBN:9770972795006
InflammationMESH:D007249,UMLS:C0021368ISBN:9770972795006
JaundiceMESH:D007565,UMLS:C0022346, ICD-11:ME10.1ISBN:9770972795006
Kidney diseasesMESH:D007674,UMLS:C0022658, DOID:557, ICD-11:GC2ZISBN:9788172361792
LaxativesMESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172361792, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
LeprosyMESH:D007918,UMLS:C0023343, DOID:1024, ICD-11:1B20ISBN:9770972795006
LymphadenitisMESH:D008199,UMLS:C0024205, DOID:1602, ICD-11:BD90ISBN:9770972795006
Muscle crampMESH:D009120,UMLS:C0026821, ICD-11:MB47.3ISBN:9788172361792
Otitis mediaMESH:D010033,UMLS:C0029882, DOID:10754, ICD-11:AA3ZISBN:9770972795006
ScabiesMESH:D012532,UMLS:C0036262, DOID:8295, ICD-11:1G04ISBN:9788172361792
Skin diseasesMESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0ZA Report On Medicinal Plants Of Kachchh (Gujarat), ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172361792
Skin diseases, infectiousMESH:D012874,UMLS:C0037278ISBN:9770972795006
Snake bitesMESH:D012909,UMLS:C0037379ISBN:9770972795006
Splenic diseasesMESH:D013158,UMLS:C0037997, DOID:2529, ICD-11:3B8ZISBN:9770972795006
SplenomegalyMESH:D013163,UMLS:C0038002, ICD-11:ME10.01ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361266, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume I
TonsillitisMESH:D014069,UMLS:C0040425, DOID:10456, ICD-11:CA03.ZISBN:9770972795006
Tuberculosis, lymph nodeMESH:D014388,UMLS:C0041316, DOID:4889, ICD-11:1B12.6ISBN:9770972795006
Wounds and injuriesMESH:D014947,UMLS:C0043251ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361792