Kumbhika — Water Lettuce

Ayurvedic herb Kumbhika (Pistia stratiotes) — Water Lettuce. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Tikta, Katu, Virya Sheeta, Vipaka Katu. Balances Pitta, Kapha.

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

Pistia stratiotes is an aquatic plant used externally for skin diseases and swelling.

ⓘ Information
PropertyValueDescription
RasaTikta, KatuTikta (Bitter) — detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic; Katu (Pungent) — stimulates digestion, circulation, expectorant
GunaLaghu, RukshaLaghu (Light) — easy to digest, promotes lightness; Ruksha (Dry) — absorbs moisture, drying
ViryaSheetaSheeta (Cold) — cooling, decreases Pitta and inflammation
VipakaKatuKatu (Pungent) — post-digestive pungent, lightening
PrabhavaShothahara, KushtaghnaShothahara — anti-inflammatory, reduces swelling; Kushtaghna — treats skin diseases

Sanskrit Synonyms

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

Variparni, Jalakumbhi, Kumbhi

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Kumbhika are: patra, panchanga.

Main Indications

Kumbhika is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Shotha, Kushta, Vrana, Mutrakrichha, Raktapitta.

Dosha Effects

Kumbhika pacifies Pitta, Kapha.

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

Usage

Kumbhika 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, Kaṣ¡ya
Guna (Quality)Rūkṣa
Virya (Potency)Uṣḍa
Vipaka (Post-digestive effect)Kauu
Karma (Action)Kaphahara, V¡tahara, Gr¡hi, Vraḍa Ropaḍa
Dose2-6 g powder.
Therapeutic Uses: V¡tika K¡sa, Kuṣuha, Prameha, Krmi, Viṣaroga, Pakv¡tis¡ra, Vraḍa,
Important Formulations: Marma Guuik¡
Part Used: Sd

Therapeutic Uses (IMPPAT Database)

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

Part UsedTherapeutic UseIdentifiersReferences
leafAnthelminticsMESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0ISBN:9788172362140
leafAntitussive agentsMESH:D000996,UMLS:C0003449ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172362140
leafAsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172362140
leafCoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9788172361266
leafDemulcentsMESH:D065106,UMLS:C0302232ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172362140
leafDysenteryMESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.ZISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172362140
leafHemorrhageMESH:D006470,UMLS:C0019080, ICD-11:MG27ISBN:9788172361266
leafLeprosyMESH:D007918,UMLS:C0023343, DOID:1024, ICD-11:1B20ISBN:9788172362140
leafSkin diseasesMESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0ZISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361266
leafSyphilisMESH:D013587,UMLS:C0039128, DOID:4166, ICD-11:1A6ZISBN:9788172362140
leafUlcerMESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582ISBN:9780387706375
leafCooling effect on bodyUMLS:C0678568ISBN:9788172362140
rootDiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172362140
rootDysuriaMESH:D053159,UMLS:C0013428, ICD-11:MF50.7ISBN:9780387706375
rootEmollientsMESH:D004643,UMLS:C0013983, ICD-11:XM1C59ISBN:9788172362140
rootLaxativesMESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3ISBN:9788172362140
whole plantAnalgesicsMESH:D000700,UMLS:C0002771, ICD-11:XM49F7ISBN:9788172362140
whole plantAnemiaMESH:D000740,UMLS:C0002871, DOID:2355, ICD-11:3A9ZISBN:9789327275590
whole plantAntifungal agentsMESH:D000935,UMLS:C0003308, ICD-11:XM83G4ISBN:9789327275590
whole plantAnti-infective agents, localMESH:D000891,UMLS:C0003205, ICD-11:XM4VG4ISBN:9788172362140
whole plantDemulcentsMESH:D065106,UMLS:C0302232ISBN:9788172362140
whole plantDiabetes mellitusMESH:D003920,UMLS:C0011849, DOID:9351, ICD-11:5A14ISBN:9789327275590
whole plantDiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9780387706375
whole plantDysenteryMESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.ZISBN:9789327275590
whole plantDysuriaMESH:D053159,UMLS:C0013428, ICD-11:MF50.7ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788190595216
whole plantEdemaMESH:D004487,UMLS:C0013604, ICD-11:MG29.1ISBN:9789327275590
whole plantEmaciationMESH:D004614,UMLS:C0013911, ICD-11:5B51ISBN:9788190595216
whole plantFeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:9788190595216
whole plantFurunculosisMESH:D005667,UMLS:C0016867, ICD-11:1B75.0ISBN:9789327275590
whole plantGoiterMESH:D006042,UMLS:C0018021, DOID:12176, ICD-11:5A01ISBN:9788190595216
whole plantHematuriaMESH:D006417,UMLS:C0018965, ICD-11:MF50.4ZISBN:9789327275590
whole plantHemorrhageMESH:D006470,UMLS:C0019080, ICD-11:MG27ISBN:9788190595216
whole plantHemorrhoidsMESH:D006484,UMLS:C0019112, DOID:9746, ICD-11:DB60.ZISBN:9788190595216, ISBN:9789327275590
whole plantLeprosy, lepromatousMESH:D015440,UMLS:C0023348, DOID:10887, ICD-11:1B20.1ISBN:9788190595216
whole plantNeoplasmsMESH:D009369,UMLS:C0027651, DOID:162, ICD-11:2E2ZISBN:9789327275590
whole plantPainMESH:D010146,UMLS:C0030193, ICD-11:MG3ZISBN:9788190595216
whole plantPyelonephritisMESH:D011704,UMLS:C0034186, DOID:11400, ICD-11:GB54ISBN:9789327275590
whole plantTuberculosisMESH:D014376,UMLS:C0041296, DOID:399, ICD-11:1B1ZISBN:9788172362140
whole plantUrinary bladder diseasesMESH:D001745,UMLS:C0005686, DOID:365ISBN:9789327275590
Antifungal agentsMESH:D000935,UMLS:C0003308, ICD-11:XM83G4ISBN:9780387706375
Against bedbugsMESH:D001511,UMLS:C0004913, ICD-11:1G06ISBN:9788172361266
DemulcentsMESH:D065106,UMLS:C0302232ISBN:9788172361266
DysuriaMESH:D053159,UMLS:C0013428, ICD-11:MF50.7ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172362140
Ear diseasesMESH:D004427,UMLS:C0013447, ICD-11:AC0ZISBN:9788172362140
HemorrhageMESH:D006470,UMLS:C0019080, ICD-11:MG27ISBN:9788172362140
Scalp dermatosesMESH:D012536,UMLS:C0036271, ICD-11:EG30.1ISBN:9788172361266
Skin diseasesMESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0ZISBN:9788172362140
UlcerMESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582ISBN:9788172362140
Cooling effect on bodyUMLS:C0678568ISBN:9788172361266