Kokilaksha

Botanical

What is it

Kokilaksha is the Ayurvedic name for Hygrophila auriculata (also called Asteracantha longifolia), a thorny aquatic plant whose seeds and aerial parts are used traditionally as an aphrodisiac, diuretic, and for liver and joint complaints.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Men's vitality and liver support (traditional)

Mixed Evidence

Animal and Ayurvedic evidence suggests possible benefits, but no rigorous human clinical trials are available.

How it works

The plant contains alkaloids, sterols, flavonoids, mucilage, and minerals. Animal studies suggest hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and modest anabolic-androgenic activity. Some animal work has explored spermatogenesis and erectile function. Human clinical evidence is limited and mostly Ayurvedic. Many products combine Kokilaksha with other rejuvenative herbs.

Dosage

Traditional doses are 3-6 g of seed powder or 250-500 mg of standardized extract per day. The DSLD does not list a single standardized median dose.

When and how to take it

Often taken with warm water or milk in traditional preparations. No specific timing has been formally established.

2 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Seed or whole plant powder

Used in churnas and Ayurvedic blends.

Traditional Ayurvedic preparation

Standardized extract

Used in modern Ayurvedic capsule products.

Variable in marker compounds

Safety

Short-term use of traditional preparations has not been associated with significant adverse effects in published reports. Concentrated extracts have not been formally evaluated for long-term safety.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding. Use cautiously in hormone-sensitive conditions and on diuretic medications.

Interactions

Theoretical interactions with diuretics and hormone-modulating medications. No well-documented clinical drug interactions.

Frequently asked questions

Does Kokilaksha boost testosterone?⌄

Animal studies suggest mild androgenic effects, but high-quality human evidence for testosterone is lacking.

Is it safe long-term?⌄

Short-term Ayurvedic use appears generally tolerable, but long-term safety has not been formally studied.

References

Kokilaksha on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Kokilaksha (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.