Matsyakshi, Matsya-akshi, Matsyākṣī: 10 definitions
Introduction:
Matsyakshi means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, biology. 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.
The Sanskrit term Matsyākṣī can be transliterated into English as Matsyaksi or Matsyakshi, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Ayurveda (science of life)
Nighantu (Synonyms and Characteristics of Drugs and technical terms)
1) Matsyākṣī (मत्स्याक्षी) is another name for Kākamācī, a medicinal plant identified with Solanum nigrum Linn. (or ‘black nightshade’) from the Solanaceae or “nightshades” family of flowering plants, according to verse 4.133-135 of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu. The fourth chapter (śatāhvādi-varga) of this book enumerates eighty varieties of small plants (pṛthu-kṣupa). Together with the names Matsyākṣī and Kākamācī, there are a total of eighteen Sanskrit synonyms identified for this plant.
2) Matsyākṣī (मत्स्याक्षी) is also mentioned as a synonym for Brāhmī, a medicinal plant identified with two possibly species verse, according to verse 5.63-66. The fifth chapter (parpaṭādi-varga) of this book enumerates sixty varieties of smaller plants (kṣudra-kṣupa). Together with the names Suvarcalā and Brāhmī, there are a total of twenty-four Sanskrit synonyms identified for this plant. Note: Chopra identifies Brāhmī with 1) Centella asiatica (Linn.) Urban. while Bāpālāl and Th. B.S. et al identify it with 2) Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) Pennell.
3) Matsyākṣī (मत्स्याक्षी) is the Sanskrit name for an unidentified medicinal plant, possibly identified with either (1) the Kannada synonym Hongonda—Alternanthera sessilis or (2) Enhydra fluctuans Lour., according to verse 5.127 of the 13th-century Raj Nighantu or Rājanighaṇṭu.
Matsyākṣī is mentioned as having four synonyms: Brāhmī, Vayasyā, Mīnākṣī and Somavallarī.
Properties and characteristics: “Matsyākṣī is cooling (śiśira), appetiser (rucya) and useful in wounds and tuberculosis”.
Kalpa (Formulas, Drug prescriptions and other Medicinal preparations)
Matsyākṣī (मत्स्याक्षी) refers to the medicinal plant known as “Alternanthera sessilis L. DC” and is dealt with in the 15th-century Yogasārasaṅgraha (Yogasara-saṅgraha) by Vāsudeva: an unpublished Keralite work representing an Ayurvedic compendium of medicinal recipes. The Yogasārasaṃgraha [mentioning matsyākṣī] deals with entire recipes in the route of administration, and thus deals with the knowledge of pharmacy (bhaiṣajya-kalpanā) which is a branch of pharmacology (dravyaguṇa).
Unclassified Ayurveda definitions
Matsyākṣī (मत्स्याक्षी) is another name (synonym) for Pattūra, which is a Sanskrit name referring to to Alternanthera sessilis (dwarf copperleaf), from the Amaranthaceae family. Certain plant parts of Pattūra are eaten as a vegetable (śāka), according to Caraka in his Carakasaṃhitā sūtrasthāna (chapter 27), a classical Ayurvedic work.

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.
Biology (plants and animals)
Matsyaksi in the Sanskrit language is the name of a plant identified with Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R.Br. ex DC. from the Amaranthaceae (Amaranth) family. For the possible medicinal usage of matsyaksi, you can check this page for potential sources and references, although be aware that any some or none of the side-effects may not be mentioned here, wether they be harmful or beneficial to health.
Matsyaksi in India is the name of a plant defined with Alternanthera sessilis in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Illecebrum triandrum Llanos (among others).
Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):
· Flora of Ecuador (1987)
· Species Plantarum (1762)
· Flora AegyptiacoArabica (1775)
· Taxon (1981)
· Species Plantarum (1753)
· Flora Indica, or ‘Descriptions of Indian Plants’ (1824)
If you are looking for specific details regarding Matsyaksi, for example extract dosage, side effects, health benefits, diet and recipes, chemical composition, pregnancy safety, have a look at these references.

This sections includes definitions from the five kingdoms of living things: Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists and Monera. It will include both the official binomial nomenclature (scientific names usually in Latin) as well as regional spellings and variants.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Matsyākṣī (मत्स्याक्षी).—Name of a kind of Soma plant.
Matsyākṣī is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms matsya and akṣī (अक्षी). See also (synonyms): matsyākṣakā.
Matsyākṣī (मत्स्याक्षी).—f. (-ścī) The moon-plant, (Asclepias acida.) E. matsya a fish, akṣa an eye, aff. ṅīṣ; to which the flowers are compared.
1) Matsyākṣī (मत्स्याक्षी):—[from matsya > matsa] f. = [preceding] m., [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
2) [v.s. ...] Hincha Repens, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
3) [v.s. ...] Solanum Indicum, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
4) [v.s. ...] a kind of grass (= gaṇḍa-dūrvā), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]
Matsyākṣī (मत्स्याक्षी):—[matsyā+kṣī] (kṣī) 3. f. The moon plant.
[Sanskrit to German]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Akshi, Matsya.
Starts with: Matsyakshika, Matsyakshikhala.
Full-text: Matsyangi, Matsyakshikhala, Matsyakshaka, Maccakki, Macciyacci, Vayasya, Minakshi, Somavallari, Minatci, Minaksha, Pattura, Brahmi, Kakamaci.
Relevant text
Search found 10 books and stories containing Matsyakshi, Matsya-akshi, Matsyākṣī, Matsya-aksi, Matsyaksi, Matsya-akṣī; (plurals include: Matsyakshis, akshis, Matsyākṣīs, aksis, Matsyaksis, akṣīs). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
An ethno-botanical survey on shakavarga of anamalai tribes < [2024: Volume 13, January special issue 2]
Literary Review of Tripurabhairava Rasa in Ayurvedic Pharmacology < [2022: Volume 11, October issue 13]
Therapeutic review on an auspicious grass < [2015: Volume 4, October issue 10]
Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicine
Ethnobotanical and Phyto pharmacological Overview of Matsyakshi... < [Volume 5, Issue 4: October–December (2019)]
Potential Medicinal Plants used in Ayurvedic System of Medicine and their... < [Volume 2, Issue 4: July–August (2016)]
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Page 222 < [Volume 23 (1918)]
International Ayurvedic Medical Journal
A critical evaluation on sarvam sakham achakshushiyam < [2023, Issue 12, December]
Concept of ahar and vihar in madhumeha w.s.r. diabetes mellitus < [2019, Issue 2, February]
Single drugs and formulations mentioned in kamala w.s.r. to some selected keraliya ayurvedic books < [2022, Issue 11 November]
Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 2: Minerals (uparasa) (by Bhudeb Mookerjee)
Part 4 - Process for creation of Dhanya-abhra (paddy mica) < [Chapter I - Uparasa (1): Abhra or Abhraka (mica)]
Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 3: Metals, Gems and other substances (by Bhudeb Mookerjee)
Part 5 - Purification of iron < [Chapter IV - Metals (4): Lauha (iron)]
Part 6 - Incineration of iron (1-25) < [Chapter IV - Metals (4): Lauha (iron)]
Part 3 - Incineration of copper < [Chapter III - Metals (3): Tamra (copper)]
Related products