Kantakari ghritam is an Ayurvedic medicine for cough, asthma and other breathing disorders.
Benefits of Kantakari ghritam
Kantakari ghritam combination is used either as acchasnehapana as a preparatory procedure to Ayurvedic Panchakarma (cleansing therapy) or as samanasneha in small doses after having Kashaya or other rookshana medicines for a while. It helps to regain health after the Rookshana (drying up therapies.
It is used in acute and chronic respiratory infection. It is beneficial in chronic night coughs and sleep apnoea.
It is very effective in asthma. It works as a good expectorant, removes the phlegm and clears airways.
It is found useful in treating Kapha-Vata dominant fevers when added with other formulations.
As the kaphadosha is cleared, Agni starts functioning proper. By improving digestion, this kashayam improves taste and appetite; bio availability of nutrients in the food also enhanced. Hence general health improved.
Indications of Kantakari ghritam
Sarva kaasa – All types of Cough
Swaasa-Hidhma – Breathing disorder and hiccup
Ingredients of Kantakari ghritam
| Yellow-berried nightshade | Kantakari | Solanum xanthocarpum |
It has anti-oxidant and anti-cancer activities. It possesses anti-asthmatic, hypoglycaemic, hepatoprotective, anti-bacterial and insect repellent properties.
| Country mallow | Bala | Sida cordifolia Linn. |
It is anti-pyretic, anti-inflammatory, contraceptive and anti-fungal activity. It is a tonic for strengthening nerves and muscles in various neuro motor diseases.
Vyosha/Thrikaru
It is a group of three drugs namely,
Trikatu Churna is helpful in following health conditions.[36]
- Constipation with mucous or sticky stool.
- Loss of appetite.
- Indigestion.
- Gas or flatulence.
- Bloating.
- Abdominal distension.
- Irritable bowel syndrome.
- Common cold (acute phase during running nose).
- Cough with thin white phlegm.
- Asthma (chest congestion due to phlegm).
- Weight loss (obesity).
- Body aches with feeling of heaviness in the body.
- High cholesterol levels.
- Atherosclerosis.
- High blood pressure due to hypercholesterolemia
| Dried ginger | Sunthi | Zingiber officinalis |
It is unctuous and hot in potency with pungent taste but becomes sweet after digestion. It is an aphrodisiac and balances Vata and Kapha.
It improves ability to taste and promotes digestion. Relieves cough cold and other respiratory problems. It is not a laxative, rather causes constipation.
| Black pepper | Maricha | Piper nigrum L. |
Black Pepper is extremely useful for respiratory disorders and asthma. In conditions like hoarse voice, dental caries, in removing bad breadth (halitosis), the gargling of Black Pepper Powder along with salt and warm water may be used. Black pepper is also used in case of Heavy diets as it aids digestion. Black pepper is also used in the weakness and loosening of the anal sphincter especially in case of piles. For Headache and migraine, nasal drops of Black pepper powder prepared in milk is used. It helps to remove the chronic headache. The same preparation can also be used as local application on fore head in the form of paste. Black pepper reduces itching and discharge through the lesions when used in the form of local application on skin disorders.
| Long pepper | Pippali | Piper longum |
It has carminative action and maybe used as appetizer. The fruit and root of Pippali are used in the form of powder to treat fever, diarrhoea, piles, cough, hiccough, asthma, hoarseness of voice, flatulence, colic, vomiting, acid gastritis, oedema, diseases of mouth, eye diseases, diseases of semen, diseases of women, jaundice, and earache.
Pippali mixed with honey alleviates cough, dyspnoea, fever splenomegaly, and hiccough.
Trikatu Churna is helpful in following health conditions.
- Constipation with mucous or sticky stool.
- Loss of appetite.
- Indigestion.
- Gas or flatulence.
- Bloating.
- Abdominal distension.
- Common cold (acute phase during running nose).
- Cough with white phlegm.
- Asthma (chest congestion due to phlegm).
- Obesity
- Body aches with feeling of heaviness in the body.
- High cholesterol levels.
- Atherosclerosis.
- High blood pressure due to hypercholesterolemia
| False black pepper | Vidanga
|
Embelia ribes |
It is an appetiser and mild laxative. It has carminative, stimulant, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-cancerous and anthelmintic properties.
| Aromatic ginger/ sand ginger/kenkur/cutcherry/resurrection lily | Satthi | Kaempferia galanga Linn. |
It is an anti-tussive, expectorant, anti-pyretic, diuretic, anabolic, antiseptic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, wound healing and carminative. It is a blood purifier. It is used in the treatment of gastro-intestinal disorders, asthma, rheumatism, epilepsy, wounds, skin diseases, diarrhoea, dyspepsia, flatulence, and cancer.
| Anar/Pome granate | Dadima | Punca granatum L. |
It has a wide variety of uses. Medicinal properties of fruits and fruit shell are decided by its taste when ripe. Sweet ones balance all 3 doshas. They can cure excess thirst, burning sensation, fever, dosha in chest, throat and mouth. It is nourishing and aphrodisiac. It has antidiarrheal property.It gives moisture in the body, boosts intellectual power and physical strength.
Sweet and sour fruits are easy to digest, carminative, and improve digestion & taste. Sour fruits increase Pitta slightly, help in the cure of amavata and kaphadosha.
Sauvarchala – Black salt
Yavakshara – Bhasma of Barley
| Amla, Indian gooseberry | Dhatri/Amalaka | Emblica officinalis GAERTN.
|
Amla exhibits strong antioxidant activity. It is one of the most important plants in the traditional Ayurvedic medical system as well as in other traditional health systems for immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer and hepatoprotective actions. It is widely used for anti-diabetic effect.
| Indian elecampane | Poushkara | Inula racemosa HOOK. F. |
It is the drug of choice by many physicians in chronic respiratory conditions. It is an expectorant with anti-inflammatory, carminative, diuretic, and antiseptic properties. The plant is used in chronic bronchitis and rheumatism. Dried rhizomes and roots are used to cure loss of appetite and stomach problems.
| Spreading hogweed | Vrischeeva/Punarnava | Boerhavia diffusa |
The name Punarnava means it has the capability to repair and regenerate itself. It does the same function in our body also. It is an important anti-inflammatory medicinal herb well known for its diuretic and antioedematous properties. Here it works as a diuretic, by balancing the water retention at the same time helping to reduce oedema in the visceral organs being beneficial in ascites, splenomegaly etc. It can eliminate the unwanted fluid collected in tissues and reduce swelling and thereby reverse inflammation.
| Indian nightshade | Brihati | Solanum indicum |
It has anti-oxidants. It also has anti-cancerous, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, immune-modulatory, neuroprotective, diaphoretic, expectorant and stimulant properties.
| Chebulic myrobalan | Pathya | Terminalia chebula RETZ. & WILLD. |
It is one of the main drugs in Ayurveda, one of the Rasayana and a member of an important group, Triphala. It is used in a wide variety of diseases as it possesses anti-bacterial anti-fungal anti-viral anti-diabetic anti-mutagenic anti-oxidant anti-ulcer and wound-healing properties.
| Ajwain | Yavaani / Deepyaka
|
Trachyspermum ammi (L.) SPRAGUE |
The seeds of this plant are used in the form of powder to treat worms. It acts as an appetiser, carminative and aids digestion. It is also beneficial in treatment of colic.
| Ceylon leadwort | Chitraka | Plumbago zeylanica L.
|
It aids digestion and increases appetite. It has anti-inflammatory action. It can also be used in liver diseases.
| Edgeworth’s Habenaria | Riddhi | Habenaria edgeworthii H.f. |
It is sweet in taste and cold in potency. It is cooling and helps in sperm production. It is used in many degenerative neurological conditions like parkinsonism.
| Black grapes | Mridweeka/Draksha | Vitis vinifera L. |
Grapes are a nourishing and slightly laxative fruit that can support the body through illness, especially of the gastro-intestinal tract and liver. Because the nutrient content of grapes is close to that of blood plasma, grape fasts are recommended for detoxification. The fresh fruit is antilithic, constructive, cooling, diuretic and strengthening. The fruit is also helpful in the treatment of varicose veins, haemorrhoids and capillary fragility. The dried fruit is demulcent, cooling, mildly expectorant, laxative and stomachic. It has a slight effect in easing coughs. It is used as a remedy for skin diseases and in diseases of the eyes.
| Kaattu mulak | Chavya | Piper retrofactum Vahl. |
It is useful in treating indigestion, abdominal colic, worm infestation, poisoning, anorexia, productive cough, asthma, bronchitis, fever, diarrhoea, IBS, haemorrhoids, fistula, chronic respiratory disorders, throat disorders, and rheumatic conditions.
| Spreading hogweed | Varshabhoo/ Punarnava | Boerhavia diffusa |
The name Punarnava means it has the capability to repair and regenerate itself. It does the same function in our body also. It is an important anti-inflammatory medicinal herb well known for its diuretic and antioedematous properties. Here it works as a diuretic, by balancing the water retention at the same time helping to reduce oedema in the visceral organs being beneficial in ascites, splenomegaly etc. It can eliminate the unwanted fluid collected in tissues and reduce swelling and thereby reverse inflammation.
| Stinging nettle | Dhanwayasha/Duralabha | Tragia involucrata Linn. |
This plant is used in many conditions like wounds, eczema, scabies and other skin infections. It has anti-inflammatory property. It is used to treat piles, migraine, warts and rheumatism
| Bor thekera | Amlavetasa | Garcinia pedunculata Roxb. |
It has antihyperglycemic, antidiabetic, and antioxidant properties. It is an excellent cardiac stimulant, digestive and laxative. Used in Ayurveda since the time of Charaka, it is also useful in cough, bloating, splenomegaly etc.
| Crab’s claw | Sringi | Pistacia integrimma |
It has anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, and analgesic properties. According to Ayurveda, it can be used in the treatment of Kapha-Vaata diseases, tuberculosis, fever, breathing disorders like asthma, excessive thirst, cough, hiccups, tastelessness, and vomiting.
| Gale of the wind | Tamalaki | Phyllanthus niruri Linn. |
It has hepato-protective, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, hypolipidemic, hypo-glycaemic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, cardio-protective, anti-uro-lithiac, anti-hyper-uricaemic properties. It is used in kidney & liver diseases, asthma, urinary calculi etc.
| Blue-flowered Glory Tree | Bharngi
|
Clerodendrum serratum (L.) MOON |
The plant is considered as having antitoxic and antiseptic properties. Juice of leaves is used with ghee as an application in skin conditions like herpetic eruptions and pemphigus. It is given in fever and is useful in sinusitis. The drug is also useful as an expectorant in respiratory diseases like asthma and cough.
| Siamese ginger | Rasna | Alpinia galanga (L.) WILLD
|
It is known to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions. It is one of the main ingredients of various formulations alleviating pain.
| Puncture vine | Gokshura | Tribulus terrestris |
It is useful in diseases such as hormonal imbalance, sexual problems, heart problems, kidney problems and various skin diseases. It helps in reducing blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Details of the manufacturing
As already discussed, Kantakari ghrutham has 28 ingredients in total
All these ingredients other than yavakshara and sauvarchala should be washed well and dried up in shade.
For preparation of ghrithakalpana,
We use
- Snehadravya (Cow’s ghee) – 1 prastha
- Dravadravya (For Kashaya here) – 1 aadhaka
Kantakari (Whole plant)
- Kalkadravya (For making paste, 1 karsha each)
Bala
Vyosha
Vidanga
Satthi
Dadima
Sauvarchala
Yavakshara
Moola
Amalaka
Poushkara
Vrischeeva
Brihathi
Pathya
Yavaani
Chitraka
Riddhi
Mridweeka
Chavya
Varshabhoo
Duralabha
Amlavetasa
Sringi
Tamalaki
Bharngi
Rasna
Gokshurakai
Take the prescribed kashaya, ghruta and kalkadravya in an earthen pot. Make it boil and then cook in the open vessel with low fire. Reduce the quantity into the quantity of ghrutha. Make sure to mix it in between with a ladle. Also, the fire should be kept low to make sure that all the active ingredients in the herbs needed are absorbed well into the water. Continue cooking and stir in between. Check the Paaka as per Snehapakavidhi. Once the desired Paaka is attained, filter the ghruta into a pot and keep it in air tight glass bottles after cooling. Ghrutha can be used for a longer period of time without any preservatives.
Dosha Dooshya Predominance with roga margas.
Kantakari ghrutham is Kapha-pittahara and srothosodhana
It acts on aabhyantara rogamarga
Dosage and Usage of Kantakari ghritam
Dosage:
Generally, it is prescribed in OP practise as 5-15ml once a day.
It is said in text as one Pala or 48 gm in a person with profound digestive fire.
It differs for Acchasnehapanasodhana) and vicharanasneha(samana)
Usage:
Ghrutham is advised to take in empty stomach, once the ingested food is digested well and aahaararasa is formed well.
Exercises and Yoga.
As Kantakari ghritam targets mainly respiratory system and immunity, only mild exercises are advised. Also, specific yogacharya including naadeesuddhi pranayama, bhujangaasana, is recommended.
In persons with fever and respiratory infections, physical exercises are not recommended.
Regular exercise after regaining normal health helps improve bioavailability of the food ingested and leads to positive health.
Yoga can maintain harmony within the body and with the surrounding system.
Nadisudhi pranayama
Bhujangasana
Simple exercises for lungs and heart health
All the exercises and physical exertions must be decided and done under the supervision of a medical expert only.
Recommended diet and behaviour
Diet:
- To be avoided
Heavy meals and difficult to digest foods – cause indigestion.
junk foods- cause disturbance in digestion and reduces the bioavailability of the medicine
carbonated drinks – makes the stomach more acidic and disturbed digestion
refrigerated and frozen foods – causes weak and sluggish digestion by weakening Agni (digestive fire)
Milk and milk products – Increase Kapha and cause obstruction in channels, indisgestion and respiratory problems.
curd – causes vidaaha and thereby many other diseases
- To be added
Light meals and easily digestible foods
Green gram, soups.
freshly cooked and warm food processed with cumin seeds, ginger, black pepper, ajwain etc
Behaviour:
Protect yourself from extreme cold climate.
Better to avoid exposure to excessive sunlight wind rain or dust.
Maintain a regular food and sleep schedule.
Avoid holding or forcing the urges like urine, faeces, cough, sneeze etc.
Avoid sedentary lifestyle. Be active.
Side effects and contraindications
No known side effects reported.
Classical references with image of the text.
ASHTANGAHRUDAYAM CHIKITHSASTHANAM KASACHIKITHSITAM 59-61
Equivalent medicines.
Kantakari avaleham
Brands Available
AVS Kottakal
Research papers
Kantakari
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15551394/
Riddhi
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21513732.2010.521490
Amlavetasa
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29234381/
Shringi
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26004708/
Tamalaki
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27283048/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5537880/
Author information
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