Hygrophila auriculata, a medicinal herb from the Acanthaceae family, is widely known for its therapeutic properties in traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha. It thrives in marshy and waterlogged areas, earning it the common name "marsh barbel." This perennial plant is recognized by its spiny stems and distinctively shaped leaves. The seeds, roots, and leaves are all used for medicinal purposes.
Name in Different Countries and Terminology
The herb is known by various names reflecting its widespread use and cultural significance across different regions.
Ayurvedic names: It's commonly called Kokilaksha (meaning "eyes of the Indian cuckoo"), Ikshura, and Kshuraka.
Unani: It's referred to as Taalmakhana.
Siddha / Tamil: It's known as Neermulli.
Regional Indian languages: The herb is called Kuliyakhara or Kulekhara in Bengali, Ekharo in Gujarati, and Niti gobbi in Telugu. In other parts of India, it's known as Kulekhara (Assam), Kolavali (Kannada), and Vayalculli (Malayalam).
The synonyms provided, such as Asteracantha longifolia and Barleria longifolia, were previously used to classify the plant but are now considered obsolete, with Hygrophila auriculata being the currently accepted botanical name.
Availability
Hygrophila auriculata is a plant native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and Africa. It is widely available in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, and parts of Southeast Asia. Due to its preference for wetlands, it is often found growing wild in swamps, alongside rivers, and in paddy fields. The seeds of the plant are also available commercially in herbal stores and online as Taalmakhana seeds or Kokilaksha seeds, often used for preparing various health supplements and traditional remedies.
External Look
The plant is a stout, erect, perennial herb that can grow up to 1 meter in height. Its most distinctive feature is the presence of long, sharp spines at the nodes of its stems. The leaves are sessile (without a stalk) and arranged in whorls of six at each node, giving it a unique, star-like appearance. The flowers are typically a striking violet-blue color and appear in dense spikes. The fruits are capsules containing small, shiny, black seeds. The seeds, known as Taalmakhana, are ovate to kidney-shaped and have a mucilaginous (gel-like) coating when soaked in water.
Healing Properties and Advantages
The herb is known for its wide range of therapeutic benefits, primarily attributed to its diuretic, aphrodisiac, hepatoprotective (liver-protecting), anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.
Diuretic: It helps in increasing urine flow, which is beneficial for treating urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney stones (Asmari), and other urinary disorders.
Aphrodisiac: The seeds, in particular, are known to enhance sexual vigor and are used to treat conditions like spermatorrhea.
Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic: It helps reduce inflammation and pain, making it useful in conditions like arthritis (Amavata) and gout (Vaatarakta).
Hepato-protective: The plant is traditionally used to treat liver disorders and jaundice.
Anemia: It is also known to help increase hemoglobin levels, which is useful in treating anemia.
General Health: It is considered a general tonic, promoting overall strength and vitality.
Uses and Using Way
The different parts of Hygrophila auriculata are used in various forms to treat specific ailments.
Seeds (Taalmakhana): These are the most commonly used part. They are soaked in water, roasted, or ground into a powder. The powder can be mixed with milk or honey to be consumed as a tonic for sexual debility and general weakness. Soaked seeds form a jelly-like mass that is used to treat urinary problems.
Roots and Leaves: A decoction (a concentrated liquid) of the roots and leaves is prepared by boiling them in water. This decoction is used to treat conditions like edema (Sotha), fever, and rheumatism.
Juice: The fresh juice of the leaves is also consumed to treat various ailments, including anemia and general weakness.
Paste: A paste of the leaves can be applied externally to reduce swelling and inflammation in conditions like arthritis.
Conclusion
Hygrophila auriculata, with its rich history in traditional medicine, stands as a testament to the power of natural remedies. Its diverse range of names across different regions highlights its cultural significance, while its proven therapeutic properties—including its role as a diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and aphrodisiac—make it a valuable herb. From the spiny stems to the mucilaginous seeds, every part of this plant has a specific use in treating ailments from urinary disorders to joint pain. As modern science continues to explore the phytochemicals within this herb, it's likely that its traditional uses will be further validated, solidifying its place in both folk and modern medicine.
