Kukundara Blumea lacera: Benefits, Remedies, Research, Side Effects

Kukundara- Blumea lacera, is a plant mentioned in the ayurvedic pharmacopeia for the treatment of rhinitis, headache, swelling, pus filled wounds, piles, mouth ulcers and fever. 

Latin Name- Blumea lacera DC
Family- Asteraceae ( Bhringaraja kula)

Vernacular names

Names in different languages:
Hindi name- Kukaraoundha, Kakronda,
Bengali name- Kukasim, Kukarshonga
Gujarathi name- Kokarondha
Marathi name- Kukarbandha
Telugu name- Adavi
Tamil name- Katu (pungent) Mullangi

Sanskrit Synonyms

Tamrachuda- The upper surface of the leaf resembles copper color
Suksma Patra- The leaves are small
Kukuradadru, Mriduchada

Classical categorization

Bhavaprakasha- Guduchyadi varga

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Subfamily: Asteroideae
Tribe: Inuleae
Genus: Blumea DC.

Morphology

The plant is a small shrub growing to a height of 1-2 feet growing all over India in the temperate climate. The leaves are small and have copper color on the upper surface. Flowers and fruits are seen in the spring season. The flowers are yellow in color and found in clusters.

Properties, part used, dosage

Medicinal properties of Blumea lacera:
Rasa (Taste) – Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent)
Guna (Qualities) – Laghu (Light for digestion), Ruksha (Dry in nature), Teekshna (Pungent)
Vipaka – – Katu (Undergoes Pungent taste after digestion)
Veerya (Potency) – Ushna (Hot)
Karma (Actions) – Kaphapitta shamaka (reduces vitiated kapha and pitta dosha),

Part used- Leaf, Root
Dosage-
Fresh juice- 10 ml
Paste- 5 to 10 g

Sanskrit verse

Chemical constituents

Chemical constituents of Blumea lacera:
On steam distillation, the leaf yields 0.5% essential oil. The essential oil contains cineol 66, d-fenchone 10 and about 6% citrol. The plant contains coniferyl alcohol, acetylenic compounds and thiophene derivatives.  The aerial parts of the plant contain campesterol, hentriacontane, lupeol and its acetate.

Uses, side effects

Uses of Kukundara:

• The fresh juice of the leaves of the plant Kukundara is installed as ‘Nasya’ (Nasal drops) in cases of rhinitis and headache due to sinusitis.
• The fresh juice of the leaves of Blumea lacera is put as eye drops in cases of conjunctivitis.
• The leaves of the plant are slightly heated and applied over the area affected with localized swelling.
• The fresh juice of Kukundara leaf is used as drops or the leaf is made into paste and applied over wounds associated with pus.
• In case of external pile mass, the paste of the leaf is made into paste and applied over the area having pile mass.
• In case of internal piles, a small tablet is prepared from the paste of the leaf along with powder of black pepper and given internally.
• The decoction from the leaf and root of Blumea lacera is given in a dose of 30-40 ml to treat intestinal worms and cases of enlarged liver.
• Gargling is done from the decoction of the root of Kukundara to treat oral ulcers and gingivitis.
• The decoction of the root of Blumea lacera is given in a dose of 45-50 ml to treat cases of fever, leucorrhea and cough.
• In cases of dog bite, the fresh juice of root is administered in a dose of 10 ml.

Adverse effect: No adverse effect is reported or known after the usage of Kukundara.

Interaction with medicines, supplements

Can this be used while taking Homeopathic medicine?
Yes. This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.

Can this medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin tablets, Omega 3 fatty acids etc?
Yes. Generally, this product goes well with most dietary supplements. However, if you are taking more than one product per day, please consult your doctor for an opinion.

With western medicines
Seek your doctor’s advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic / modern) medicines. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is best to take Allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes and then take the Ayurvedic medicine.

Research

Research articles about Blumea lacera:
Anti- diarrheal action:  Present study was undertaken to investigate the anti-diarrheal activity of the ethanolic extract from the roots of Blumea erianth DC (EEBE) and Blumea lacera (EEBL). The doses of EEBE and EEBL both significantly decreased (P<0.001) the total number of diarrheal feces.

Anti-pyretic activity: The present study was carried out to determine the antipyretic activity of the methanolic extract of Blumea lacera leaves (BLE) on albino rats. Three ascending doses of 100 (1/20 LD50), 200 (1/10 LD50) and 400 mg/kg (1/5 LD50) were selected for studying the antipyretic activity of BLE in rats. BLE at dose rates of 200 and 400 mg/kg reduced brewer’s yeast induced pyrexia in rats suggesting antipyretic effect of BLE.

Author: Dr.B.K.Prashanth M.D (Ayu), Ph.D
E mail: drprashanthbk@gmail.com

Sthanika karma (Action on different system)

External application – Sirovirechaka, Anti inflammatory, Anti microbial, Anti helminthic wound healing and styptic action. good for eyes (Chakshushya), . Leaf juice is used for Nasya in headaches, rhinitis, etc. In inflammatory swellings its leaf is made hot and applied. Leaf juice is used as eye drops in eye diseases. Juice is used to apply in wounds for faster healing.

Digestive system – Carminative, Liver stimulant. Overdose of root can cause vomiting. Best medicine for Ascites, Helminthiasis, Hemorrhoids etc. Leaf paste with pepper powder can be taken internally in Hemorrhoids. It is also used for external use in Hemorrhoids.

Circulatory System – Anti inflammatory, indicated in bleeding disorders
Respiratory system – Pacifies kapha dosha. Indicated in cough, Asthma, rhinitis etc.
Reproductive system – Indicated in Pradara (Sweta and Rakta pradara)
Tapakrama – Jvaraghna
Satmikarana – Vishaghna (Root has Anti poisonous action)