Cosmetics, Costumes and Ornaments in Ancient India
by Remadevi. O. | 2009 | 54,177 words
This page relates ‘Use of Kakkola’ of the study on cosmetics, costumes and ornaments of ancient India based on Sanskrit sources. Chapter one deals with cosmetics and methods of enhancing beauty; Chapter two deals with costumes, garments and dresses; Chapter three deals with ornaments for humans and animals. Each chapter deals with their respective materials, types, preparation and trade, as prevalent in ancient Indian society.
1.14. Use of Kakkola
Fruit of Kakkola (Piper cubeba) was used to perfume water. It was an ingredient in the preparation of different kinds of perfumes. Kolaka, Kaṅkolaka and Kośaphala are three synonyms of Kakkola referred to in Amarakośa[1] . Dhanvantarī-nighaṇṭu[2] lists six names–Kṛtaphala, Kaṭukaphala, Cūrṇa, Dvīpamarica, Mādhavocita and Kandaphala. There it is mentioned that Kakkola is pungent and bitter in taste, hot in potency, stimulates hunger and improves appetite and subdues the deranged Vāta and Kapha.
Rājavallabha-nighaṇṭu quotes the properties of Kakkola thus–
[...][3].
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
II.6.129-130
[3]:
p.35