Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Bitter (Tikta), Pungent (Katu)
- Quality (Guna)
- Light (Laghu), Sharp (Tikshna)
- Potency (Virya)
- Hot (Ushna)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Pungent (Katu)
- Key Constituents
- Barlerin, Iridoid glycosides, Flavonoids
- Also Known As
- English: Barleria, Porcupine Flower
Sanskrit: सहचर, सैरेयक, कुरण्टक
Hindi: कटसरैया, पियाबासा
What is Barleria (Katsareya / कटसरैया)?
Katsareya (Barleria prionitis) is a thorny shrub with yellow or orange flowers. It grows 2 to 4 feet tall. The leaves and roots are used medicinally. It is commonly found along roadsides and in hedges. The root is used in dental complaints - chewed as a toothbrush. The plant is spiny with opposite leaves. Different varieties exist: B. cristata (purple/blue flowers), B. strigosa (blue), and others. The flower is used in cough and Kapha disorders. It has 0.2-0.3% essential oil. Dose: 4-8 tola Kvatha; Churna 2-4 tola. Verse: 26.
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 4
Therapeutic Actions (Karma)
- Kaphahara (alleviates Kapha)
- Kasahara (alleviates cough)
- Shothahara (anti-inflammatory)
- Dantya (dental health)
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 4
How to Use Barleria by Condition
Explore how Barleria is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.
▶ Classical Text References (1 sources)
References in Charaka Samhita
Or, she may be given milk to drink that has been processed with the paste of jivaka, rishabhaka, apamarga (Achyranthes aspera Linn), and saireyaka (synonym of Sahachara–Barleria cristata Linn) -either all mixed into a paste together or separately, as required.
— Charaka Samhita, Sharira Sthana — Human Body & Embryology, Chapter 8: Guidelines for Lineage (Jatisutriya Sharira / जातिसूत्रीय शरीर)
[263-264] One prastha (640 grams) of milk and juice of sahachara – Barleria prionitis, bhringaraja – Eclipta alba, surasa –Cinnamonum zeylanica, one kudava of oil, one pala paste of yastimadhu – glychrizza glabra is cooked and kept inside a pot of stone or the horn of sheep.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)
[266 ½- 268½] Mahaneela taila: Paste of ten pala of each of the root of adityavalli and black variety of saireyaka – Barleria prionitis, leaves of surasa – Cinnamonum zeylanica, black variety of sana – Brassica alba, markava (bhringaraja – Eclipta alba), kakamachi – Solanum nigrum, yastimadhu –Glycrrhiza glabra and devadaru – Cedrus deodara.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Sharira Sthana — Human Body & Embryology, Chapter 8: Guidelines for Lineage (Jatisutriya Sharira / जातिसूत्रीय शरीर); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.