One of the readers, a diabetic, wanted to know if Khadira Arishtam could be used by him for diabetes-related skin conditions. While Khadira is a drug of choice for skin conditions, Khadira Arishtam is not suitable for diabetics as it contains jaggery.
On the other hand, Katakakhadiradi Kashayam is a great formulation for treating diabetes and its complications. Most diabetics suffer from peripheral neuropathy and have skin conditions ranging between pruritus and inflamed dry skin. Many diabetics also suffer from urinary problems and this kashayam is like a one-stop shop for controlling the complications of diabetes as well as excess blood sugar. The kashayam contains Kathaka or Strychnos potatorum and 11 other ingredients. Kathaka is called thethankottai in Tamil. There is an ancient practice in Tamil Nadu of using thethankottai to remove sediments from drinking water and, hence, its English name ‘clearing nut’. There is a reference in Susruta Samhita that talks about the use of Strychnos potatorum for water purification. The microbiological quality of water is improved according to latest research, although Strychnos nut is unable to render the water free of coliform bacteria. However, the seeds were being used in Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, some years ago, wherein the earthen pot in which the water is to be stored is rubbed with these seeds for 20 minutes. Sediments in the water settle after which the water is cleared for use.
Other ingredient is Khadira—amla, haridra (turmeric) and daru haridra (mara manjal or Berberis aristata)—can also be found in kashayam. The other dravyas you must have heard about are seeds of Mangifera indica (mango kernels), Terminalia chebula (kadukkai) and Cyperus rotundus (Korai Kizhangu). Salacia reticulata, Cassia mimosoides, Barringtonia acutangula and Cyclea peltata are less known ingredients. Salacia reticulata (called ponkoranti in Tamil and Malayalam) was researched by two students—Sankar Mohan and Jayakanthan Kumaraswamy—who met as undergraduates in Thiruvannamalai. They made a cup of it and left the water overnight, and this was found to be useful for treating diabetes. Japanese researchers also found that the preparation inhibited elevation of blood glucose levels in rats and later isolated two active principles from the root. Salacia is found to inhibit intestinal alpha-glucocylase.
Salacia reticulata seems to be very popular in Sri Lanka.
Cassia mimosoides also known as feather-leaved cassia or fishbone cassia has pretty yellow flowers and is said to be useful for the treatment of varicoceles. Barringtonia acutangula is also called fresh water mangrove and has thin, long strands of pretty pink flowers. I recently saw this tree during a visit to Auroville near Puducherry. Containing many saponins this is effective in purifying blood and in treating respiratory diseases. Cyclea peltata is said to be one of the best brain tonics in ayurveda and in Vedic literature it is called pata. Once again our siddhars have this wonderful preparation for tackling diabetes and other complications. Dosage normally prescribed for this kashayam is around 5-10 ml before food or on an empty stomach, and taken with an equal quantity of water. Niruryadi Gutika
is normally prescribed as an adjuvant (more about this in a later article).
The writer is retired Additional Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu.
She can be reached at sheelarani.arogyamantra@gmail. com/arogyamantra.blogspot.com