Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Astringent (Kashaya), Sour (Amla)
- Quality (Guna)
- Heavy (Guru)
- Potency (Virya)
- Hot (Ushna)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Pungent (Katu)
- Key Constituents
- Tannins, Oxyresveratrol
- Also Known As
- English: Monkey Jack, Lakoocha
Sanskrit: लकुच, ग्राहिफल, लिकुच
Hindi: बड़हल, बरहर
What is Barhal?
If you have ever eaten a jackfruit, you already know Barhal's family. This is its smaller, sharper cousin: a tree whose fruit is far smaller than a jackfruit and tastes sour and astringent rather than sweet.
Barhal, known in English as Monkey Jack or Lakoocha, carries the botanical name Artocarpus lakoocha Roxb. In Sanskrit it is Lakucha. It is a medium to large tree, and the classical text Bhavaprakasha (Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 5) gives it a short entry of its own.
What makes it distinctive in Ayurveda is not the fruit but the wood and bark. The heartwood extract is described as a potent remedy against intestinal worms, particularly tapeworm, while the tannin-rich bark is used for skin diseases.
Benefits of Barhal
Bhavaprakasha credits Barhal with two therapeutic actions: it expels worms (Krimighna) and it is absorbent (Grahi), meaning it binds and dries excess fluid in the gut. The benefits below follow from those two actions and from its classical properties.
Intestinal Worms
This is Barhal's headline use. The heartwood extract is described as a potent anthelmintic, a substance that drives out intestinal parasites and worms, with tapeworm singled out by name.
Its taste profile supports this in Ayurvedic reasoning: it is astringent (Kashaya) and sour (Amla), with a heating potency (Ushna Virya) and a pungent post-digestive effect (Katu Vipaka). Pungent, heating qualities are the kind traditionally used against worms.
Skin
The bark contains tannin and is used in skin diseases. Tannins are the compounds behind the puckering, astringent taste, and astringency is the quality Ayurveda associates with tightening and drying tissue.
Loose Stools
Because Barhal is absorbent (Grahi), it belongs to the group of substances classically used to firm up the stool. Our sources record this action but do not give a specific recipe for it.
How to Use Barhal
The classical text gives one preparation with a dose: a decoction (kashaya) of the bark. A decoction is made by simmering the plant material in water and straining it.
| Form | Dose | Best For | When to Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bark decoction (kashaya) | 1 to 2 tola (roughly 12 to 24 g, the classical measure) | Skin complaints, worms | Not specified in our sources; follow a practitioner's direction |
| Heartwood extract | No dose recorded | Intestinal worms, especially tapeworm | Only under practitioner guidance |
Our sources do not name a vehicle (anupana), the liquid or food a herb is taken with, nor any seasonal guidance. A practitioner can fill in those details for your situation.
Safety & Side Effects
Our classical sources record no specific contraindications, drug interactions or overdose signs for Barhal. Its entry is brief, so that silence reflects missing information rather than a proven clean record.
Its properties still offer some guidance. Barhal is heating (Ushna) and heavy (Guru), so in Ayurvedic reasoning it is used with care by people of a Pitta tendency, who run hot or are prone to acidity. Its absorbent, binding action also means it is not a natural fit if you tend toward constipation.
The heartwood extract is described as potent. If you are pregnant, nursing, treating a child, or taking any medication, speak with a qualified practitioner or doctor first.
Recommended: Start Here
The simplest honest starting point with Barhal is to see a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner. The classical text records a bark decoction at 1 to 2 tola, but the more potent heartwood extract, the form named for tapeworm, comes with no dose at all.
If worms are your concern, a practitioner can confirm the problem and decide whether Barhal or another remedy fits. Our parasites and worms page explains the wider Ayurvedic approach while you arrange that.
Find Barhal (Lakoocha) on Amazon ↗ Lakoocha Bark ↗
Safety note: Barhal is heating and its safety is poorly documented, so check with a practitioner first, especially if you are pregnant, nursing or on medication.
Barhal vs Other Herbs & Supplements
Our sources do not compare Barhal head to head with other herbs, so this table sets out the practical choices you actually face with it.
| Comparison | Barhal | Alternative | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barhal vs jackfruit | Smaller fruit, sour and astringent; valued for its bark and heartwood | Its larger, better known relative | They are related trees, but Bhavaprakasha's medicinal interest in Barhal centres on worms and skin, not the fruit. |
| Bark vs heartwood | Bark decoction, 1 to 2 tola, for skin diseases | Heartwood extract, described as potent against tapeworm | Bark has a recorded dose; heartwood does not, so it needs practitioner supervision. |
| Self-use vs practitioner guidance | Brief classical entry, little safety data | Treatment planned by a qualified practitioner | Practitioner guidance wins, especially for worms, which first need a proper diagnosis. |
Barhal for Specific Populations
Our sources give no population-specific guidance for Barhal. Given how brief the classical record is, caution is the sensible default for every group below.
Pregnancy & Nursing
No safety data is recorded. Because the heartwood extract is described as potent, avoid Barhal during pregnancy and nursing unless a qualified practitioner specifically advises it.
Children
Worms are common in children, but our sources give no child dose. Do not give Barhal to a child without a practitioner or doctor's direction.
Elderly
Barhal is heavy (Guru) and binding, so older adults prone to constipation or weak digestion should use it only with guidance.
Athletes
Our sources record no use of Barhal for strength, stamina or recovery, so there is no reason to add it to a training routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Barhal the same as Monkey Jack?
Yes. Barhal is the Hindi name, Monkey Jack and Lakoocha are English names, and Lakucha is the Sanskrit name for Artocarpus lakoocha Roxb.
Is Monkey Jack related to jackfruit?
Yes. Bhavaprakasha describes it as a tree related to jackfruit, with a fruit much smaller than a jackfruit and a sour, astringent taste.
Which part of Barhal is used medicinally?
The bark and the heartwood. The tannin-rich bark is used for skin diseases, and the heartwood extract is described as a potent remedy against worms, especially tapeworm.
What compounds does Barhal contain?
Our sources list tannins and oxyresveratrol. The tannins account for its astringent taste.
Is Barhal heating or cooling?
Heating. It has a hot potency (Ushna Virya) and a pungent post-digestive effect (Katu Vipaka), which is why people who run hot should use it with care.
How to Use Barhal by Condition
Explore how Barhal is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.
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.