Asteracantha longifolia is a herbaceous, medicinal plant in the acanthus family that grows in marshy places and is native to tropical Asia and Africa. In India, it is commonly known as kokilaksha or gokulakanta, in Sri Lanka as neeramulli. In Kerala it is called vayalchulli
Asteracantha longifolia is a herbaceous, medicinal plant in the acanthus family that grows in marshy places and is native to tropical Asia and Africa. In India, it is commonly known as kokilaksha or gokulakanta, in Sri Lanka as neeramulli. In Kerala it is called vayalchulli (വയൽച്ചുളളി). In Tamil, it is called Neermulli (நீர்முள்ளி).
Kulikhara, Kokilaksah, Long Leaves Barleria (Asteracantha longifolia) Nees, Acanthaceae, is a source of the ayurvedic drug, 'Kokilaaksha' and the Unani drug, Talimakhana. The seeds are acrid, bitter, aphrodisiac, tonic, sedative, used for diseases of the blood. The plant is known to possess antitumor, hypoglycemic, aphrodisiac, antibacterial, free radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation, hepatoprotective and hematopoietic activity. It contains lupeol, stigmasterol, bulletin, fatty acids, and alkaloids. The present review article is focused on phytochemical, pharmacological, and other important aspects of Talimakhana
Uses: Roots are sweet, sour, bitter, refrigerant, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, hemopoietic, hepatoprotective, and tonic. It is useful in inflammations, hyperdipsia, strangury, jaundice, and vesical calculi. It is also used in flatulence and dysentery. Leaves are hemopoietic, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, antidiabetic, stomachic, ophthalmic, diuretic, and liver tonic. It is used in hepatic obstruction, jaundice, arthritis, rheumatism, and diseases of the urinogenital tract. It is useful in flatulence and other stomach-related diseases. It is useful in anemia and for treating blood diseases. It is used to lower the blood sugar level. Seeds are gelatinous, febrifuge, rejuvenating and nervine tonic. It is used in burning sensations, fever, and headaches. It is also used in diarrhea and dysentery. A paste of the seeds mixed with buttermilk or whey is given for diarrhea. A decoction of the roots is used as a diuretic and to treat rheumatism, gonorrhea, and other diseases of the genito-urinary tract, jaundice, and anasarca.