Kampillaka: Benefits, Uses & Dosage

Sanskrit: काम्पिल्लक Botanical: Mallotus philippinensis Muell. Arg.

Last updated:

Ayurvedic Properties

Taste (Rasa)
Katu, Kashaya
Quality (Guna)
Laghu, Ruksha, Tikshna
Potency (Virya)
Ushna
Key Constituents
C₃₁H₃₀O₈, main constituent (Rottlerin)
Also Known As
Sanskrit: काम्पिल्लक, कर्णरंजन, रोचनी
Hindi: कमीला, कमला

What is Kamala?

Tapeworms, aperient, purgative (may causenausea or gripping before purging, but no after-effects; good for children, adults, and pets.

Source: The Ayurveda Encyclopedia, Chapter 4: Herbology

Therapeutic Actions (Karma)

  • Krimighna (especially tapeworms)
  • Rechana (purgative)
  • Kushtha hara

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 1

Ayurvedic Properties (Energetics)

PropertyValue
Rasa (Taste), p
Dosha EffectVPK=
Tissues (Dhatu)All, blood
Body SystemsDigestive, excretory

Source: The Ayurveda Encyclopedia, Chapter 4: Herbology

Preparation & Usage

Forms: Ripe fruits are placed in a cloth andbeaten until the glandular pubescence is removed;or fruits are rubbed between one s palms or feet. Section 3: Therapeutics Chapter 4: Herbology 101

Source: The Ayurveda Encyclopedia, Chapter 4: Herbology

How to Use Kampillaka by Condition

Explore how Kampillaka is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.

Classical Text References (2 sources)

References in Charaka Samhita

Kampillaka (Mallotus philippinensis), vidanga (Embelia ribes Burm), daruharidra (Berberis aristata) and karanja fruit (Pongamia pinnata), the paste of all these drugs should be used to prepare oil which is indicated in the treatment of granthi vrina.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 21: Erysipelas Treatment (Visarpa Chikitsa / विसर्पचिकित्सा)

Kampillaka (Mallotus philippinensis Muell Arg), vidanga (Embelia ribes Burm), kutaja, triphala, bala, patola (Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 25: Wound Management (Dwivraniya Chikitsa / द्विव्रणीयचिकित्सा)

Oil cooked with durva juice or kampillaka or paste of daruharidra bark is an important ulcer healer.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 25: Wound Management (Dwivraniya Chikitsa / द्विव्रणीयचिकित्सा)

)), kampillaka (Mallotus philippensis Shankhinī (Xanthium strumarium (L)), latex of- snuhi (Zingiber officinale (Roscoe)), arka (Calotropis Gigantea (Linn)), Jaggery [14] The powder of following herbs is to be blown up with a pipe/ tube into the oleated anal canal.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)

Tilvaka churna receives tenfold trituration with Kampillaka (Mallotus) kashaya, then taken with Kampillaka decoction.

— Charaka Samhita, Kalpa Sthana — Pharmaceutical Preparations, Chapter 9: Pharmaceutical Preparations of Tilvaka (Tilvaka Kalpa Adhyaya / तिल्वककल्प अध्याय)

Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 21: Erysipelas Treatment (Visarpa Chikitsa / विसर्पचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 25: Wound Management (Dwivraniya Chikitsa / द्विव्रणीयचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा); Kalpa Sthana — Pharmaceutical Preparations, Chapter 9: Pharmaceutical Preparations of Tilvaka (Tilvaka Kalpa Adhyaya / तिल्वककल्प अध्याय)

References in Sushruta Samhita

The drugs for downward purification (purgation/virechana) are: vivrita, shyama, danti, dravanti, saptala, shahlini, vishanika, gavachi, chagalantri, snuha, suvarna, chiri, chitraka, kinihi, kushakashi, tvaka, kampillaka, ramyaka, patala, puga, haritaki, amalaki, bibhitaka, nilini, chaturangula, eranda (castor), putika, mahavriksha, saptachhada, and jyotishmati.

— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 39: Shodhanasanshmaniya Adhyaya - On Purification and Pacification

Drugs for Downward Purification and Pacification Groups (Verses 4-9) The drugs for downward purification (purgation/virechana) are: vivrita, shyama, danti, dravanti, saptala, shahlini, vishanika, gavachi, chagalantri, snuha, suvarna, chiri, chitraka, kinihi, kushakashi, tvaka, kampillaka, ramyaka, patala, puga, haritaki, amalaki, bibhitaka, nilini, chaturangula, eranda (castor), putika, mahavriksha, saptachhada, and jyotishmati.

— Sushruta Samhita, Shodhanasanshmaniya Adhyaya - On Purification and Pacification

Source: Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 39: Shodhanasanshmaniya Adhyaya - On Purification and Pacification; Shodhanasanshmaniya Adhyaya - On Purification and Pacification

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.