Kantakari, aka: Kaṇṭakārī; 5 Definition(s)

Introduction

Kantakari means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Kaṇṭakārī (कण्टकारी) is a Sanskrit word referring to Solanum xanthocarpum, a species of plant from the Solanaceae (nightshades) family of flowering plants. It is also known as Nidigdhikā. In English, the plant is known as the “yellow-berried nightshade” or the “Thai green eggplant” Among the botanical synonyms are: Solanum virginianum, Solanum Surattense, Solanum mairei. It is a suffrutescent perennial undershrub, growing in dry situations throughout India. It has zigzag branches spread close to the ground and covered with strong, broad, sharp yellowish white prickles. The leaves are armed with yellow sharp prickles. The flowers are blue and the fruits are yellow or white berries.

This plant (Kaṇṭakārī) is also mentioned as a medicine used for the treatment of all major fevers, as described in the Jvaracikitsā (or “the treatment of fever”) which forms the first chapter of the Sanskrit work called Mādhavacikitsā. In this work, the plant is also known by the names Kṣudrā, Kaṇṭakārīkā, Vyāghrī, Nidigdhīkā, Kakṣmaṇā. In this work, the plant is mentioned being part of both the Daśamūla, the Pañcamūla, Bṛhatīdvaya and the Bṛhatyādigaṇa group of medicinal drugs.

Kaṇṭakāri (कण्टकारि).—The Sanskrit name for an important Āyurvedic drug.—Vyāghrī and Nidigdhikā are its synonyms. The plant is fully covered with thorns. Kaṇṭakārī is pungent, bitter, useful for throat and alleviates cough, bronchial asthma and fever.

Kaṇṭakārī (कण्टकारी) is the Sanskrit name for a medicinal plant identified with Solanum xanthacarpum, a synonym of Solanum virginianum L. (“surattense nightshade” or “thai eggplant”) from the Solanaceae or “nightshades” family of flowering plants, according to verse 4.30-32 of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu. Kaṇṭakārī is commonly known in Hindi as Choṭīkaṭerī or Bhaṭkaṭaiyā; in Bengali as Kaṇṭakārī; in Telugu as Vankudā; in Tamil as Kandan-kaṭīrī; in Gujurati as Bhoya-riṅgaṇī; and in Marathi as Bhūiriṅgiṇī.

Śvetabṛhatī is mentioned as having fourteen synonyms: Kaṇṭakinī, Dusparśā, Duṣpradharṣiṇī, Kṣudrā, Vyāghrī, Nidigdhā, Dhāvinī, Kṣudrakaṇṭikā, Bahukaṇṭā, Kṣudrakaṇṭā, Kṣudraphalā, Kaṇṭārikā and Citraphalā.

Properties and characteristics: “the smaller Kaṇṭakārī is pungent and hot, increases appetite and is effective in asthma and cough. It cures rhinitis and its complications. It cures the fevers due to Kapha and Vāta doṣas”.

context information

Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

kaṇṭakārī (कंटकारी).—f C A kind of prickly nightshade, Solanum Jacquini.

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