Kokilaksha (Hygrophila auriculata): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Kokilaksha work for male sexual health?

Kokilaksha (Hygrophila auriculata) works primarily through its phytosterols and flavonoids, which may support testosterone production and improve blood flow to reproductive tissues. The herb contains lupeol and glycosides that exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, potentially protecting testicular tissue from oxidative damage. Traditionally, it acts as a rasayana (rejuvenative tonic) in Ayurveda, supporting overall male reproductive function. Evidence level: C (preliminary studies and traditional use).

Does Kokilaksha interact with any medications?

Kokilaksha may interact with hormone-related medications, including testosterone replacement therapy and prostate medications. Due to its potential effects on androgen levels, it should not be combined with drugs for prostate cancer or hormone-sensitive conditions. The herb's diuretic properties may enhance the effects of prescription diuretics, potentially causing electrolyte imbalances. Always consult a healthcare provider before combining Kokilaksha with any prescription medications. Evidence level: C (theoretical based on pharmacology).

What is the recommended dosage of Kokilaksha?

The typical adult dosage of Kokilaksha is 5-10 grams of seed powder or 500mg of standardized extract taken twice daily. For kidney stone management, doses are traditionally taken with warm water. Start with lower doses to assess tolerance before gradually increasing. Always follow product-specific recommendations or consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner for personalized dosing, as individual needs vary based on the condition being addressed.

Is Kokilaksha safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Kokilaksha is considered unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The herb's effects on hormone levels and reproductive tissues make it contraindicated for pregnant or nursing women. Its traditional use as a male reproductive tonic suggests hormonal activity that could adversely affect fetal development or infant health. Women who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding should avoid Kokilaksha entirely and consult their healthcare provider for appropriate alternatives.

Can Kokilaksha help with kidney stones?

Kokilaksha has been traditionally used in Ayurveda and Unani medicine for managing kidney stones (calculi). Its diuretic properties may help flush the urinary system, while anti-inflammatory compounds like lupeol could reduce urinary tract inflammation. Preliminary research suggests potential benefits for urinary disorders, though clinical evidence remains limited (Evidence level: C). Kokilaksha is often combined with other stone-dissolving herbs in traditional formulations. Consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.

PubMed-compiled information sheet

This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.

Compiled from 23 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Hygrophila auriculata is a medicinal herb used in Ayurveda as a 'Rasayana' drug for treating various disorders, including liver and brain diseases [PMID:16289604, PMID:23153190].

Background

Hygrophila auriculata (K. Schum.) Heine, also known as Kokilaksha, is a wild herb belonging to the Acanthaceae family [PMID:16289604, PMID:30007830].

Traditional uses

Ethnomedicinal uses include the treatment of jaundice, oedema, gastrointestinal ailments, diarrhoea, dysentery, urinogenital disorders, gall stones, urinary calculi, kidney stones, leucorrhoea, rheumatism, tuberculosis, anaemia, body pain, constipation, skin disease, and as an aphrodisiac [PMID:30007830]. It is also traditionally used in Ghana to treat tuberculosis [PMID:26972879].

Active compounds

The plant contains flavonoids (apigenin, luteolin, ellagic acid, gallic acid, and quercetin), alkaloids (asteracanthine and asteracanthicine), triterpenes (lupeol, lupenone, hentricontane, and betulin), sterols (stigmasterol and asterol), minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, aliphatic esters, and essential oils [PMID:30007830]. Specific bioactive components include stigmast-5-en-3-ol-β-D-glucopyranoside (HA-06) [PMID:39471254].

Mechanism of action

The herb demonstrates antioxidant activity by increasing levels of glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) while reducing lipid peroxidation [PMID:16289604, PMID:31815317]. The compound HA-06 shows affinity toward phospholipase A2 and glucocorticoid receptors [PMID:39471254].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DMale Subfertility/Sexual Dysfunction

Ethanolic and chloroform extracts of seeds significantly restored sperm concentration, motility, viability, and serum testosterone levels in cyproterone acetate-induced rat models [PMID:37286756, PMID:31815317]

Evidence DHepatotoxicity

Methanolic seed extracts, root extracts, and leaf alkaloid fractions showed significant hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol, thioacetamide, and CCl4-induced liver damage in rats [PMID:8824736, PMID:16213687, PMID:20711375]

Evidence DDiabetes/Hyperglycemia

Aerial part extracts reduced blood glucose and oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats [PMID:16289604]; flower powder showed antihyperglycemic potential in alloxan-induced diabetic rats [PMID:39926789]

Evidence DAlzheimer's Disease (Models)

As part of the polyherbal formulation 'Medha Plus', it helped ameliorate cognitive deficits and prevented Aβ-induced loss of neurites and neuronal apoptosis in cellular models [PMID:35617801]

Evidence DInflammation

Terpenoid fractions and the compound HA-06 alleviated carrageenan-induced inflammation in rats [PMID:26428681, PMID:39471254]

Safety & adverse effects

Methanolic extracts showed no toxicity against healthy mouse fibroblasts [PMID:19706693]. Acute toxicity studies of flower powder in rats (5 mg/kg to 5,000 mg/kg) were conducted to determine LD50 values [PMID:39926789].

Evidence summary

The current evidence is based primarily on in vitro studies and animal models (Level D), demonstrating significant antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and anti-inflammatory properties. No human clinical trials were provided.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 30007830 (2018) — Ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological updates on Hygrophila auriculata (Schum.) Hiene: an overview. · Journal of integrative medicine
2.PMID: 35617801 (2022) — Medha Plus - A novel polyherbal formulation ameliorates cognitive behaviors and disease pathology in models of Alzheimer's disease. · Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
3.PMID: 37286756 (2023) — Dose-Dependent Protective Effect of Hygrophila auriculata Seeds on Cyproterone Acetate-Induced Testicular Dysfunction. · Reproductive sciences (Thousand Oaks, Calif.)
4.PMID: 31815317 (2020) — Protective effect of ethanolic extract of Hygrophila auriculata seeds in cyproterone acetate-induced sexual dysfunction in male albino rats. · Andrologia
5.PMID: 34688885 (2022) — Impact of Hygrophila auriculata supplementary diets on the growth, survival, biochemical and haematological parameters in fingerlings of freshwater fish Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton, 1822).

Kokilaksha

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Kokilaksha

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Frequently asked questions

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Safety & adverse effects

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources

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Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Kokilaksha

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Frequently asked questions

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Safety & adverse effects

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources