Kathakakhadiradi Kashayam
by Sheela Rani Chunkath
One of the readers, a diabetic wanted to know whether Khadira Arishtam could be used by him for diabetes related skin conditions. While Khadira is a drug of choice for skin conditions, Khadira Arishtam is not so suitable for diabetics as it contains guda or jaggery.
On the other hand, Kathakakhadiradi Kashayam is a great formulation for treating diabetes and its complications. Most diabetics suffer from peripheral neuropathy and have skin conditiouns ranging from pruritus to inflamed dry skin. Many diabetics also suffer from urinary problems and this kashayam is like a one-stop shop for controlling the complications of diabetes as well as excess blood sugar.
The kashayam contains Kathaka or Strychnos potatorum (after which the kashayam is named) and 11 other ingredients. Kathaka is called thethankottai in Tamil. There is an ancient practice in Tamil Nadu of using thethankottai to remove sediments or turbidity from drinking water and hence its English name 'clearing nut'. There is a reference in Susruta Samhita which talks about the use of Strychnos potatorum for water purification. The microbiological quality of water is improved according to latest research, although Strychnos nut is unable to render the water free of coliform bacteria. However, the seeds were being used in districts like Ramanathapuram (in Tamil Nadu) some years ago, where the pot in which the water is to be stored is rubbed with these seeds for 20 minutes. The turbidity in the water settles to the bottom after which the water is clear and is decanted for use. The pots used were earthenware pots.
The other ingredient is Khadira about which I had written in an earlier article. Amla, haridra (turmeric) and daru haridra (mara manjal or Berberis aristata) are the other three popular herbs which also find place in this kashayam. The other dravyas you are likely to have heard about are the seeds of Mangifera indica (mango kernels), Terminalia chebula (kadukkai) and Cyperus rotundus (Koraikkizhangu). Salacia reticulata, Cassia mimosoides, Barringtonia acutangula and Cyclea peltata are less well known ingredients.
Salacia reticulata (called ponkoranti in Tamil and Malayalam), another ingredient was researched by two students Sankar Mohan and Jayakanthan Kumaraswamy who met as undergraduates in a small town called Thiruvannamalai. They made a cup of the wood and left the water overnight. This was found to be useful for treating diabetes. Japanese researchers have also found that a preparation strongly inhibited elevation of blood glucose levels in rats and later isolated 2 active principles from the root. Salacia is found to inhibit intestinal alpha-glucocylase.
So we have woods 2 trees being made into drinking cups for diabetes. That of Pterocarpus marsupium and Salacia reticulata. Salacia reticulata seems to be very popular in Sri Lanka.
Cassia mimosoides also known as feather-leaved cassia or fishbone cassia has pretty yellow flowers and is said to be useful for the treatment of varicoceles. Barringtonia acutangula is also called fresh water mangrove and has thin long strands of pretty pink flowers. I recently saw this tree in a visit to Auroville near Pondicherry. Containing many saponins this is effective in purifying blood and in treating respiratory diseases.
Cyclea peltata is said to be one of the best brain tonics in ayurveda and in Vedic literature it is calle pata.
Once again our Siddhars have this wonderful preparation for tackling diabetes and its attendant complications. Dosage normally prescribed for this kashayam by our vaidyars is around 5-10 ml befor food or on an empty stomach and taken with an equal quantity of water. Niruryadi Gutika is normally prescribed as an adjuvant (more about this in a later article).
--- The writer is retired Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu. She can be reached at Sheelarani.arogyamantra@gmail. com. Earlier articles can be accessed at http://arogyamantra.blogspot.com/