Kakodumbarika (Kakodumbarika (Kakajangha, Kakanasa, Phalgu, Malayur, Jaghanephala))
Ficus hispida, known as Kakodumbarika in Ayurveda, is a plant traditionally used in medicine in India, China, Sri Lanka, Australia, and Myanmar. It is recognized for its hairy morphology and is used in various traditional remedies.
Botanical name: Ficus hispida. Also known as: Kakodumbara, Kakodumbar, Malayu, Malpu Phalgu, Malaya, Jaghanephala, Moolakarkati, Shvitra bhaishajya, Kashthodumbara, Kakodumbari, Jaghanephala, Phalgu Shivatika, Phalgu, Malapu, Rajaphalgu, Shwitrabhesaja, Hairy Fig, Devil Fig, Opposite Leaved Fig, Wild fig, Kathumar, Kathgular, Gobla, Katguleriya, Kaadu atti mara, Kadaatti, Katiatti, Erum anakku, Parakam, Kattatti, Tin basin, Khoskadumar, Kakadumbar, Devadavari, Koksa, Kharwa, Daduri, Degar, Rumbal, kattu atti, Adaviatti.
Properties
Free radical scavenging, Anti-inflammatory pathways modulation, Antimicrobial effects, Mild laxative activity
Dosage
The appropriate dosage of Kakodumbarika depends on the form in which it is being administered. Root powder: 1-3 grams or 3-5 grams with buttermilk. Fruits: 10-20 grams. Bark (small dose): 1.2 to 1.8g. Root decoction: 50-100 ml. Bark Decoction: 10-15 ml twice daily. Fruit Powder: 1-2 grams twice daily. Leaf juice: 7-14 ml. Ficus hispida juice: 10ml with honey
Classical attributes
- Rasa: Kashaya (astringent), Tikta (bitter)
- Virya: ["Ushna (heating)"]
- Vipaka: ["Katu (pungent)"]
Benefits
- Deepana (appetizer)
- Pachana (digestive)
- Shothahara (anti-inflammatory)
- Raktashodhaka (blood purifier)
Traditional uses
- Arsha (hemorrhoids)
- Kushta (skin diseases)
- Vrana (ulcers)
- Jwara (fever)
- Atisara (diarrhea)
- Raktavikara (blood disorders)
Dosha effects
- vata: balancing
- kapha: balancing
- pitta: balancing
Preparation methods
- Decoction: Boil the bark or fruit to prepare a decoction. The standard Ayurvedic procedure involves boiling the plant material until the original volume is reduced to one-fourth.
- Powder: The root bark is powdered for various uses.
- Paste: The root bark or latex can be made into a paste for external applications.
- Juice: The fruit juice of ripened *Ficus hispida* can be consumed with honey.
- Hot Infusion: An alternative to decoction is a hot water infusion where powdered crude drugs are immersed in hot water.
- Boiled Fruits: Fruits can be boiled in goat's milk or simply cooked.
- Root Paste: Roots can be made into a paste with rice water.
- Dry Fruit Powder Mixture: Dry fruit powder can be mixed with vinegar for application.
- Fruit Poultice: The powdered fruit can be heated with a little water and applied topically as a poultice.
Contraindications
- The fruits, seeds, and bark possess emetic properties due to the presence of saponins.
- The root bark can act as a strong purgative.
- Topical use may cause mild dermatitis or rash in individuals with latex allergies due to proteins in the fig sap.
- Overdosing on the bark decoction (more than 15g per day) might lead to nausea or loose stools.
- The coumarin bergapten in Ficus hispida can increase sensitivity to sunlight. Exercise caution when using retinoids or tetracyclines concurrently.
- Due to insufficient data, internal use should be avoided during pregnancy and lactation unless under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.
Side effects
- Mild purgation can occur after consuming the fruit latex.
- The fruits may cause constipation.
- The fruits, seeds, and bark possess emetic properties due to the presence of saponins.
- The root-bark is a drastic purgative.
- It is considered likely unsafe in high doses, and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, slow heartbeat, convulsions and death.
Interactions
- With Medicines and Supplements: It is advisable to consult a doctor if you are taking this product along with other western medicines. If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is best to take allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes, and then take the Ayurvedic medicine.
- Homeopathic medicine: This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.
- Stimulant laxatives: Calotropis, which is sometimes mistaken for Kakodumbara, can affect the heart, and stimulant laxatives can decrease potassium levels in the body, increasing the chance of side effects from Calotropis.
- Water pills (Diuretic drugs): Calotropis might affect the heart, and water pills can decrease potassium in the body. Low potassium levels can also affect the heart and increase the risk of side effects from calotropis.
- Lithium: Calotropis might have an effect like a water pill or "diuretic." Taking calotropis might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium which could result in serious side effects.
- Anticholinergic drugs: Calabar bean, which is sometimes mistaken for Kakodumbara, can increase a chemical in the body called acetylcholine. Some medications, called anticholinergic drugs, block the effects of acetylcholine in the body. Taking calabar bean might decrease the effects of anticholinergic drugs.
Clinical evidence
Pilot studies suggest potential benefits in digestion, dyspepsia, hair growth and anti-diabetic activity, but further research is needed to validate these findings and determine optimal dosages and formulations.
Ayurvedic karmas
- Deepana (appetizer)
- Pachana (digestive)
- Shothahara (anti-inflammatory)
- Raktashodhaka (blood purifier)
Classical clinical indications
- Arsha (hemorrhoids)
- Kushta (skin diseases)
- Vrana (ulcers)
- Jwara (fever)
- Atisara (diarrhea)
- Raktavikara (blood disorders)