Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Pungent (Katu)
- Quality (Guna)
- Light (Laghu), Sharp (Tikshna)
- Potency (Virya)
- Hot (Ushna)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Pungent (Katu)
- Key Constituents
- Not clearly specified
- Also Known As
- English: Cat's Claw Plant, Devil's Claw
Sanskrit: काकनासा
Hindi: काकनासा, बिच्छू
What is Kakanasa?
Its Hindi name, Bichhu, means scorpion, and that is a clue to how it was used: the juice of its leaves was applied to scorpion stings. Kakanasa is a plant with claw-like fruits and a sharp, heating character.
In English it is called Cat's Claw Plant or Devil's Claw. Botanically it is Martynia diandra Glox., a plant originally from Mexico that has naturalized in India, where it grows among thorny bushes and on waste land.
The Bhavaprakash Nighantu describes it for worm infestations and as an anti-venom herb. The name Kakanasa also turns up in classical formulas from the Charaka Samhita and Sharangadhara Samhita.
Benefits of Kakanasa
Kakanasa is pungent (Katu) in taste, light (Laghu) and sharp (Tikshna) in quality, heating in potency (Ushna Virya) and pungent after digestion (Katu Vipaka). Sharp, hot and pungent herbs are classically used to cut through and expel.
Intestinal Worms
The Bhavaprakash Nighantu classes it as anthelmintic (Krimighna), a herb that works against worms. This is the basis of its link to parasites and worms (Krimi).
Stings and Venom
It is also listed as anti-venom (Vishaghna). The leaf juice is applied to scorpion stings.
In Classical Formulas
The Charaka Samhita lists Kakanasa among the ingredients of medicated ghee preparations in its chapters on cough (Kasa Chikitsa) and on gynecological disorders (Yonivyapat Chikitsa). The Sharangadhara Samhita includes it in Guduchyadi Taila, an oil used for oil enema therapy, alongside Guduchi, castor and Shatavari.
For Anuvasana, the Guduchyadi Taila: Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Eranda (castor), Putika, Bharangi (Clerodendrum serratum), Vishakrohi, Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Sahachara, and Kakanasa, each one Pala.
Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 5
How to Use Kakanasa
Our sources record one specific preparation, the leaf juice for stings, and no internal dose.
| Form | Dose | Best For | When to Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leaf juice (external) | Applied to the sting | Scorpion stings | Alongside, never instead of, emergency care |
| Internal preparations | As prescribed | Worm infestations | As directed by a practitioner |
| Classical formulas | As per the formula | Medicated ghee and oil preparations | As directed by a practitioner |
One complication: the name Kakanasa is also given to Snake Gourd (Trichosanthes cucumerina) in the same text. Check the botanical name of anything you buy.
Safety & Side Effects
Our classical sources list no specific contraindications or drug interactions for Kakanasa. Its sharp, hot nature is the main thing to respect.
Heating, pungent herbs can aggravate Pitta. If you tend toward acidity, burning or heat, avoid internal use unless a practitioner prescribes it.
A scorpion sting can be dangerous, especially for children. Seek emergency care first, and treat any herbal application as secondary.
Recommended: Start Here
Kakanasa is a practitioner's herb rather than a shelf supplement. If your concern is intestinal worms, its main internal use, the best start is a diagnosis and a practitioner's prescription.
Because the name covers two different plants, insist on a supplier who names Martynia diandra. If you cannot find it, the well-known anti-worm herb Vidanga is a widely available alternative.
Find Kakanasa on Amazon ↗ Vidanga Powder ↗
Safety note: for a scorpion sting, get emergency care before applying anything.
Kakanasa vs Other Herbs & Supplements
Kakanasa is best compared with the herbs most often used for the same problems, and with the plant that shares its name.
| Comparison | Kakanasa | Alternative | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kakanasa vs Vidanga | Pungent, sharp, hot; worms and venom | Pungent, bitter, hot; the prime anti-worm herb, dosed 4 to 8 g with honey or buttermilk | For worms, Vidanga is the classical first choice with a recorded dose. |
| Kakanasa vs Snake Gourd | Martynia diandra, claw-like fruits | Trichosanthes cucumerina, also called Kakanasa; used for worms and fevers | Two plants, one name. Snake Gourd is also eaten as a bitter vegetable. |
Kakanasa for Specific Populations
Pregnancy & Nursing
Our sources give no guidance on Kakanasa alone in pregnancy or nursing. It does appear in classical gynecological ghee formulas, but those are complete prescriptions for a practitioner, not a reason to take the herb on its own.
Children
No pediatric dose is recorded. Worms and stings in children need medical care first.
Elderly
Our sources give no specific guidance. Older adults who run hot should be cautious with its heating nature.
Athletes
Our sources describe no athletic use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called Cat's Claw Plant?
Its fruits are claw-like. It is also called Devil's Claw; check the botanical name, Martynia diandra, since other plants are sold under similar names.
Is Kakanasa native to India?
No. It is originally from Mexico and has naturalized in India, where it grows on waste land and among thorny bushes.
Which classical formulas contain Kakanasa?
The Charaka Samhita includes it in medicated ghee preparations for cough and gynecological disorders, and the Sharangadhara Samhita includes it in Guduchyadi Taila for oil enema therapy.
Is Kakanasa heating or cooling?
Heating. Its potency is Ushna (hot), with a pungent taste and pungent post-digestive effect.
How to Use Kakanasa by Condition
Explore how Kakanasa is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.
▶ Classical Text References (2 sources)
References in Charaka Samhita
One prastha of ghrita should be cooked by adding four prasthas of milk and the paste of one karsha each of tryushana, triphala, draksha, kashmari, parushaka, dve patha (patha, raja patha), devadaru, rddhi, swagupta, chitraka, shati, brahmi, tamalaki, meda, kakanasa, shatavari, trikantaka, vidari.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 18: Cough Treatment (Kasa Chikitsa / कासचिकित्सा)
) of bala, At the time of preparation, the decoction of paste of sariwana, payasya, jivanti, veera, rishbhaka, jivaka, shravani, pippali, mudaga parni, pilu, mashaparni, sharkara, ksheerakakoli and kakanasa should be mixed.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 30: Gynecological Disorders Treatment (Yonivyapat Chikitsa / योनिव्यापत्चिकित्सा)
640 gm) ghrita should be cooked with the paste of one karsha each of kashmarya, triphala, draksha, kasamarda, parushaka, punarnava, haridra, daruharidra, kakanasa, sahachara, shatavari and guduchi.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 30: Gynecological Disorders Treatment (Yonivyapat Chikitsa / योनिव्यापत्चिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 18: Cough Treatment (Kasa Chikitsa / कासचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 30: Gynecological Disorders Treatment (Yonivyapat Chikitsa / योनिव्यापत्चिकित्सा)
References in Sharangadhara Samhita
For Anuvasana, the Guduchyadi Taila: Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Eranda (castor), Putika, Bharangi (Clerodendrum serratum), Vishakrohi, Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Sahachara, and Kakanasa — each one Pala.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 5: Sneha Basti Vidhi (Oil Enema Therapy)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 5: Sneha Basti Vidhi (Oil Enema Therapy)
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.