Cotton (Karpasa (Kaurava))
Gossypium herbaceum, commonly known as Levant cotton, is an herb traditionally used in Ayurveda and Unani medicine. It is known for its various therapeutic properties, with different parts of the plant, including seeds, leaves, and roots, being utilized for medicinal purposes.
Botanical name: Gossypium herbaceum. Also known as: Cotton Plant, Kapas, Indian Cotton, Levant Cotton, Asiatic Cotton, Pamba Dana, Binola Giri/Banola Seeds.
Properties
Antibacterial activity, Wound healing properties, Antihyperglycemic activity, Hypolipidemic activity
Dosage
General Dosage: 4 to 6 tablets or pellets three times daily for adults, and half the adult dose for children 2 years and older. Mother Tincture: 10-15 drops in half a cup of water, three times a day. It is generally recommended to consult with a healthcare professional or Ayurvedic practitioner for appropriate dosage and usage.
Classical attributes
- Rasa: Sweet
- Virya: ["Slightly warm"]
- Vipaka: ["Sweet"]
Benefits
- Vatahara
Traditional uses
- Antifertility
- Galactagogue (promotes lactation)
- Antidiabetic
- Antibacterial
- Menstrual disorders like dysmenorrhea and irregular bleeding
- Post-partum to expel the placenta
- Encourage breast milk production
- Help the uterus return to its normal size
- Menopausal symptoms
- Asthma
- Dysentery
- Fever
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Nerve pain
- Skin disorders
- Wounds
- Ulcers
- Burns
- Scalds
Dosha effects
- vata: balancing
- kapha: balancing
- pitta: balancing
Preparation methods
- Decoction: A decoction of the seeds is used as a nervine tonic, and a decoction of the root is used orally in the retention of the placenta.
- Leaf Juice: Leaf juice is used in managing dysentery.
- Poultice: Leaf poultices are used to accelerate the maturation of boils.
- Paste: A fine paste of tender leaves is administered with tender coconut water or lukewarm milk for burning urination and body heat.
- Oil Extraction: Seeds are pressed to extract oil for use in herbal or domestic applications. The seed oil can be obtained by cooking the seeds with sesame oil and water, and is applied to joints and painful areas.
- Tincture: Tincture of fresh inner root bark.
- Extract: Extraction using microwave technology with water and glycerine.
Contraindications
- Decoction of the root bark is contraindicated during pregnancy.
- Caution is advised during lactation.
- High doses of gossypol can cause nausea, dizziness, and hemolytic anemia.
- Prolonged internal use of gossypol can lower sperm count.
Side effects
- Gossypium herbaceum is considered possibly safe when taken in amounts found in foods.
- Gossypol, a compound found in cotton, may cause reduced sperm levels and infertility in men.
- It's likely unsafe to use cotton if you are pregnant, as it might cause the uterus to contract, potentially leading to miscarriage.
- It should be avoided in individuals with kidney problems or reproductive system conditions.
- Some individuals may experience abdominal ileus, which resolves when the drug is temporarily withheld and restarted at a lower dose.
Interactions
- Digoxin (Lanoxin): Large amounts of gossypol can decrease potassium levels, increasing the side effects of digoxin.
- NSAIDs: Gossypol can cause irritation to the stomach and intestines, and NSAIDs can worsen this effect.
- Theophylline: Theophylline might decrease some of the effects of gossypol.
- Warfarin (Coumadin): Gossypol can act as a laxative, causing diarrhea, which can increase the effects of warfarin and the risk of bleeding.
- Water pills (Diuretic drugs): Gossypol can decrease potassium levels, and taking it with water pills may further reduce potassium levels.
Clinical evidence
Clinical trials on Gossypium herbaceum primarily focus on its use as a galactagogue. One randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study showed efficacy in augmenting lactation in women with perceived insufficient milk supply. Limited early research suggests potential in malaria treatment. Further studies investigated the anti-diabetic and hypolipidemic effects in animal models.
Ayurvedic karmas
- Vatahara