Nisakathakadi kashayam is an Ayurvedic medicine for treating diabetes mellitus and urinary tract disorders. This yogam is specially made by traditional Kerala vaidyas.
Benefits of Nisakathakadi kashayam Nisakathakadi kashayam purifies the urine output from the body. It is used mainly in Diabetes mellitus where polyuria is the main symptom. It is used in some types of oedema as it clears the urine formation and excretion. By this, the water retention and electrolytes are in balance and the swelling gets cured. It is useful, especially in elderly people. It is effective both in localised and whole body swelling. As it has an effect in proper management of water retention and electrolyte balancing in the body, it is used in many cases of hepatic and renal disorders. https://youtu.be/KhrAB3SdvP8 Indications of Nisakathakadi kashayam Prameha – Diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus and urinary tract disorders. Ingredients of Nisakathakadi kashayam
| Turmeric | Nisa | Curcuma longa L. |
Turmeric is used to help with heartburn or bowel problems like diarrhoea, intestinal gas, and bloating. It is famous for its anti-cancerous and detoxification effects. It is widely used in skin diseases. Some may use it to help with memory problems or problems with the liver or gallbladder. It may also help to lessen swelling and help with signs of arthritis. It has marked anti-inflammatory and antiseptic action.
| Clearing nut tree | Kataka | Strychnos potatorum |
It improves taste & absorption, has scraping properties, used in the treatment of intestinal parasites, diseases of head & eyes, relieves abdominal pain. It clears and purify water, so it can purify the fluids in the body. It is useful in urinary tract disorders.
| Amla, Indian gooseberry | Dhatri | Emblica officinalis GAERTN. |
Amla exhibits strong antioxidant activity. It is one of the most important plants in the traditional Ayurvedic medical system as well as in other traditional health systems for immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer and hepatoprotective actions. It is widely used for anti-diabetic effect.It is a part of the famous group of drugs called Thriphala.
| Ixora | Paranthi/Thechi | Ixora coccinea Linn. |
It has immense wound-healing properties. It is widely used in skin diseases as an external application especially in dermatitis in children. It is used in the treatment of ulcer, tuberculosis, diarrhoea & dysentery, fever, headache and colic.
| Lodh tree/ Symplocos | Lodhra/ Pachotti | Symplocos racemosa Roxb. |
It has wound healing, anti-diabetic, and hepato-protective properties. It is good for eyes, and a uterine tonic. It alleviates Kapha, Rakta & Pitta. It is used to treat eye diseases, skin diseases, fever, swelling, herpes, Diarrhoea & dysentery. It is recommended in many gynaecological issues especially frequent abortions.
| Mountain knot grass | Bhadra/ Bhadrika | Aerva lanata (L.) |
It is used popularly as a diuretic, with anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, anti-bacterial, and mild analgesic effects. It is used in the treatment of cough & cold, asthma, headache, urinary tract infection and skin diseases.
| Salaretin | Ekanayaka | Salacia reticulata Wight. |
It has anti-diabetic & anti-hyperlipidaemic properties. It effectively improves insulin resistance, glucose metabolism and reduces obesity. It can also be used in the treatment of rheumatism and skin diseases.
| Vetiver grass | Useera | Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) NASH |
Vetiver is a coolant, yet aids in digestion. It is widely used in treating fever, dysuria, burning sensation, fatigue syndrome, skin disorders etc. Potable water prepared with this also has many health benefits like preventing ulcers. Details of the manufacturing As already discussed, Nisakathakadi kashayam is prepared using 8 ingredients in equal quantity. All these ingredients should be washed well and dried up in shade. Take the prescribed herbs in dried & crushed form in an earthen pot. Now add 16 times clean water into it. Make it boil and then cook in the open vessel with low fire. Reduce the quantity into one by eighth of the initial quantity. Make sure to mix it in between with a ladle. Also, the fire should be kept low to make sure that all the active ingredients in the herbs needed are absorbed well into the water. Once the quantity is reduced to one by eighth of the initial amount of water, remove the vessel from the fire. Squeeze and drain through a clean white cloth. Collect the decoction in a clean vessel and discard the solid waste. Drink the mild warm decoction. Dosha Dooshya Predominance with roga margas. Nisakathakadi kashayam is Kapha-Pittahara. It acts on aabhyantara rogamarga Dosage and Usage of Nisakathakadi kashayam Dosage: two Pala. Usage: Kashayam is advised to take in empty stomach, once the ingested food is digested well and aahaararasa is formed well. Usage of kashayam with prescribed prakshepadravyas according to the condition of disease and the patient gives the best results mostly. Exercises and Yoga. As Nisakathakadi kashayam targets mainly excretory system and electrolyte balance, only mild exercises are advised. In persons with fever and urinary tract infections, physical exercises are not recommended. But in diabetic persons, regular exercises and physical activities are advised. Also, specific yogacharya including nadisuddhi pranayama, pavanamuktasana, vajrasana, bhujangaasana etc is recommended. Regular exercise after regaining normal health helps improve bioavailability of the food ingested and leads to positive health. Yoga can maintain harmony within the body and with the surrounding system. Pavanamuktasana Vajrasana Nadisudhi pranayama Bhujangasana All the exercises and physical exertions must be decided and done under the supervision of a medical expert only. Recommended diet and behaviour Diet:
- To be avoided
Sweet food items and sweeteners. Hot spicy and pungent food items like pickles Heavy meals and difficult to digest foods – cause indigestion. junk foods- cause disturbance in digestion and reduces the bioavailability of the medicine carbonated drinks – makes the stomach more acidic and disturbed digestion refrigerated and frozen foods – causes weak and sluggish digestion by weakening Agni (digestive fire) Milk and milk products other than buttermilk – increase kapha and cause indigestion. It may cause obstruction in the channels also. curd – causes vidaaha and thereby many other diseases
- To be added
Light meals and easily digestible foods Green gram, soups, arrowroot, bitter gourd. freshly cooked and warm food processed with cumin seeds, ginger, black pepper, ajwain etc Behaviour: Avoid sedentary life. Be active. Avoid stress. Protect yourself from very hot climate. Better to avoid exposure to excessive sunlight, wind, rain or dust. Maintain a regular food and sleep schedule. Avoid holding or forcing the urges like urine, faeces, cough, sneeze etc. Side effects and contraindications No known side effects reported. Classical references SAHASRAYOGA PRAMEHA SHLOKA 1 Equivalent medicines. Katakakhadiradi kashayam Brands Available SNA Oushadhasala Vaidyaratnam Oushadhasala AVS Kottakal Kerala Ayurveda Nagarjuna Ayurveda Research papers Nisa https://dx.doi.org/10.1155%2F2013%2F636053 Amalaki https://dx.doi.org/10.1002%2Fjsfa.10020 Kataka https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23061291/ Ekanayaka https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22557337/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11824561/ https://dx.doi.org/10.1186%2Fs12937-015-0013-4
