Karkatshringi
Karkatshringi
Karkatshringi or Shikari is a multibranched tree. It is a tree with Srngi (gall) like structures on it that are produced by an insect called Aphis (Dasia asdifactor). These horn-like outgrowths are called as Karkatshringi. These are large, hollow and cylindrical in shape and are packed with medicinal properties. It usually has a pungent odor and is bitter in taste.
Karkatshringi is beneficial for diarrhea as it prevents the loss of fluid from the body and inhibits the growth of infection-causing bacteria due to its antidiarrhoeal and antimicrobial properties. It can also be taken with water to manage diarrhea due to its Kashaya (astringent) property. Karkatshringi also helps to lower the body temperature and manages fever due to its antipyretic property.
Karkatshringi helps manage cough by removing excess mucus from the respiratory tract due to its expectorant property. It also helps manage bronchitis by relaxing the respiratory passages and allowing unobstructed passage of air to the lungs.
According to Ayurveda, taking Karkatshringi powder along with honey helps manage cough, cold and bronchitis due to its Kapha balancing properties.
Applying Karkatshringi powder and rose water paste on skin helps manage problems like blisters, inflammation, itchiness, and bleeding due to its Kashaya (astringent) and Ropan (healing) properties. Gargling with Karkatshringi kwath (decoction) might be beneficial in managing bleeding gums due to its anti-inflammatory property[2].
Karkatshringi is beneficial for diarrhea as it prevents the loss of fluid from the body and inhibits the growth of infection-causing bacteria due to its antidiarrhoeal and antimicrobial properties. It can also be taken with water to manage diarrhea due to its Kashaya (astringent) property. Karkatshringi also helps to lower the body temperature and manages fever due to its antipyretic property.
Karkatshringi helps manage cough by removing excess mucus from the respiratory tract due to its expectorant property. It also helps manage bronchitis by relaxing the respiratory passages and allowing unobstructed passage of air to the lungs.
According to Ayurveda, taking Karkatshringi powder along with honey helps manage cough, cold and bronchitis due to its Kapha balancing properties.
Applying Karkatshringi powder and rose water paste on skin helps manage problems like blisters, inflammation, itchiness, and bleeding due to its Kashaya (astringent) and Ropan (healing) properties. Gargling with Karkatshringi kwath (decoction) might be beneficial in managing bleeding gums due to its anti-inflammatory property[2].
What are the synonyms of Karkatshringi?
Pistacia chinensis , Pistacia integerrima, Kakara, Drek, Gurgu, Kakkara, Kaketisringi, Dusthpuchittu, Kankadasingi, Kakar, Kakkatsingi, Kakarasingi, Kankrasringi, Kakarsingi, Sumak, Kakadsingi, Chinese pistache, Gall plant[1].
What is the source of Karkatshringi?
Plant Based
Benefits of Karkatshringi
1. Cough and Cold
Cough is commonly known as a Kapha disorder and is generally caused by the accumulation of mucus in the respiratory tract. Karkatshringi acts by balancing Kapha in the body and helps to expel excess mucus accumulated in the lungs.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Karkatshringi powder.
b. Mix with honey and make a paste.
c. Swallow it once or twice a day after taking light food to manage cough and cold.
2. Bronchitis
Karkatshringi is useful in case of cough related problems like bronchitis. In Ayurveda, this disease is known as Kasroga and is caused by poor digestion. Poor diet and incomplete elimination of wastes lead to the formation of Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion) in the form of mucus in the lungs. This leads to bronchitis. Karkatshringi has Ushna (hot) and Kapha balancing properties. It reduces Ama and expels excess mucus from the lungs and thus gives relief from the symptoms of bronchitis.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Karkatshringi powder.
b. Mix with honey and make a paste.
c. Swallow it once or twice a day after taking light food to manage the symptoms of bronchitis.
3. Anorexia
Anorexia is an eating disorder in which people have an intense fear of gaining weight. This might lead to drastic weight loss. According to Ayurveda, Anorexia is known as Aruchi due to increase in Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion). This Ama blocks the gastrointestinal channels and leads to anorexia. Karkatshringi helps to reduce anorexia because of its Ushna (hot) property. This helps to improve the digestive fire and reduce Ama which is the prime cause of anorexia.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Karkatshringi powder.
b. Mix with mild hot water.
c. Swallow it once or twice a day after taking light food to manage anorexia.
4. Diarrhea
Diarrhea is known as Atisar in Ayurveda. It is due to improper food, impure water, toxins, mental stress and Agnimandya (weak digestive fire). All these factors are responsible for aggravating Vata. This aggravated Vata brings fluid to the intestine from various tissues of the body and mixes with the stool. This leads to loose, watery motions or diarrhea. Karkatshringi is good to control diarrhea because it has Kashaya (astringent) property. This helps to retain fluid in the intestine which thickens the loose stool and controls the frequency of loose motion or diarrhea.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Karkatshringi powder.
b. Mix with water.
c. Swallow it once or twice a day after taking light food to control the symptoms of diarrhea.
Cough is commonly known as a Kapha disorder and is generally caused by the accumulation of mucus in the respiratory tract. Karkatshringi acts by balancing Kapha in the body and helps to expel excess mucus accumulated in the lungs.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Karkatshringi powder.
b. Mix with honey and make a paste.
c. Swallow it once or twice a day after taking light food to manage cough and cold.
2. Bronchitis
Karkatshringi is useful in case of cough related problems like bronchitis. In Ayurveda, this disease is known as Kasroga and is caused by poor digestion. Poor diet and incomplete elimination of wastes lead to the formation of Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion) in the form of mucus in the lungs. This leads to bronchitis. Karkatshringi has Ushna (hot) and Kapha balancing properties. It reduces Ama and expels excess mucus from the lungs and thus gives relief from the symptoms of bronchitis.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Karkatshringi powder.
b. Mix with honey and make a paste.
c. Swallow it once or twice a day after taking light food to manage the symptoms of bronchitis.
3. Anorexia
Anorexia is an eating disorder in which people have an intense fear of gaining weight. This might lead to drastic weight loss. According to Ayurveda, Anorexia is known as Aruchi due to increase in Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion). This Ama blocks the gastrointestinal channels and leads to anorexia. Karkatshringi helps to reduce anorexia because of its Ushna (hot) property. This helps to improve the digestive fire and reduce Ama which is the prime cause of anorexia.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Karkatshringi powder.
b. Mix with mild hot water.
c. Swallow it once or twice a day after taking light food to manage anorexia.
4. Diarrhea
Diarrhea is known as Atisar in Ayurveda. It is due to improper food, impure water, toxins, mental stress and Agnimandya (weak digestive fire). All these factors are responsible for aggravating Vata. This aggravated Vata brings fluid to the intestine from various tissues of the body and mixes with the stool. This leads to loose, watery motions or diarrhea. Karkatshringi is good to control diarrhea because it has Kashaya (astringent) property. This helps to retain fluid in the intestine which thickens the loose stool and controls the frequency of loose motion or diarrhea.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Karkatshringi powder.
b. Mix with water.
c. Swallow it once or twice a day after taking light food to control the symptoms of diarrhea.
Precautions when using Karkatshringi
Breastfeeding
Modern Science View
Since enough scientific evidence is not available, it is advisable to avoid or consult your doctor before taking Karkatshringi during breastfeeding.
Patients with diabetes
Modern Science View
Since enough scientific evidence is not available, it is advisable to avoid or consult your doctor before taking Karkatshringi in diabetic patients.
Patients with heart disease
Modern Science View
Since enough scientific evidence is not available, it is advisable to avoid or consult your doctor before taking Karkatshringi in heart patients.
Pregnancy
Modern Science View
Since enough scientific evidence is not available, it is advisable to avoid or consult your doctor before taking Karkatshringi during pregnancy.
Recommended Dosage of Karkatshringi
- Karkatshringi Powder - ¼- ½ teaspoon once or twice a day.
How to use Karkatshringi
1. Karkatshringi Powder
a. Take some raw dried Karkatshringi herb and crush it to form a powder.
b. Take ¼ - ½ teaspoon of Karkatshringi powder.
c. Mix with honey or water.
d. Swallow it once or twice a day after taking light food.
a. Take some raw dried Karkatshringi herb and crush it to form a powder.
b. Take ¼ - ½ teaspoon of Karkatshringi powder.
c. Mix with honey or water.
d. Swallow it once or twice a day after taking light food.
Frequently asked questions
Modern Science View
Karkatshringi should be stored at room temperature, away from direct heat and light.
Modern Science View
Overconsumption of Karkatshringi does not improve your symptoms rather they may cause serious side effects. So, it is generally advisable to consult your doctor before taking Karkatshringi.
References
- Gopinath KV. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. 1st Edition. Pharmacopoeia Commission For Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy.2016.
- Kaur B, Singh S.A review on gall Karkatshringi.J Med Plant Res.2015;9(21):636-640.
- Shuaib M, Ali K, Zeb U, et al. Evaluation of Pistacia Integrrima; an important plant.International Journal of Biosciences.2017;11(5):412-420.
- Paterniti I, Impellizzeri D,Cordaro M.The Anti-inflammatory and ANtioxidant potential of Pistachios (Pistacia vera L. ) in vitro and in vivo.Nutrients.2017;9(8):915.
- MIshra A, Seth A,Maurya SK. Therapeutic significance and pharmacological activities of anti-diarrheal medicinal plants mention in Ayurveda: A Review.J Intercult Ethnopharmacol.2016;5(3):290-307.
- Sharma B, Rasool S, Pant S.Pistacia integrrima Stewart ex Brandis: A less known high value medicinal plant. International Journal of Phytomedicine.2017;9(2017):390-393.
- Gopalakrishna SM,Thimappa GS, Puttalingalah R, et al. In vitro anticancer activity of Solanum Indicum, Rhus succedanea, Rheum emodi and Gardenia gummifera in cancer cells.Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.2014;3(4):22-30.
- Abbasi AM, Guo X, Nazir A.Preliminary assessment of phytochemical contents and antioxidant properties of Pistacia Integerrima fruit.Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences.2015;28(4):1187-1194.
- Rauf Abdar,Saleem M, Uddin G, et al.Phosphodiesterase-1 inhibitory activity of two flavonoids isolated from Pistacia integerrima J. L. Stewart Galls. Hindawi Publishing Corporation.2015;2015(506564):1-6.
- Rauf A.A mini review on a PIstacia integerrima well-known medicinal plant : its active with exciting pharmacological profile.Acta Scientific Nutritional Health.2019;3(4):45-48.phytochemicals.
- Uddin G, Rauf A , Siddiqui BS, et al.The Biological Screening of Extracts/Fractions of Various Parts of Pistacia integerrima Stewart against Pathogenic Fungi.Transl Med.2013;4(1):1-3.
- Uddin G, Rauf A.In vitro Antimicrobial Profile of Pistacia integerrima Galls Stewart.Middle-East Journal of Medicinal Plants Research.2012; 1(2): 36-40.
Disclaimer
The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional.