Overview
Nakuli is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for skin disorders. Nakuli is mentioned in the text in relation to snake-repelling and antitoxic herbs. The commentary discusses that this may be Rauwolfia serpentina (Sarpagandha), one of the most important medicinal plants globally. The plant is famous for its roots that yield Reserpine, an alkaloid used in modern medicine for hypertension. In Ayurveda, it is used for snake bites, insomnia, and anxiety. The roots are bitter with heating potency.
How Nakuli Helps with Skin Disorders
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Nakuli has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing skin disorders:
- Potency (Virya): Ushna (hot)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Katu (pungent)
- Taste (Rasa): Tikta (bitter)
- Qualities (Guna): Laghu (light)
Safety & Precautions
Nakuli is one of the more potent roots in Ayurveda, and it should be treated with respect.
- Pregnancy: do not use it. The Bhavaprakash Nighantu lists it as an emmenagogue and a uterine contractor, so avoid it if you are pregnant or trying to conceive.
- Blood pressure medication: its root yields reserpine, used in modern medicine to lower blood pressure. Talk to your doctor before combining it with any blood pressure drug.
- Heat: it is heating, so it is a poor match for hot, Pitta-type sleeplessness with night sweats or burning.
- Snake bite is an emergency. Classical texts describe its anti-venom use, but a snake bite needs immediate emergency medical care.
Use Nakuli only with a practitioner setting the form, dose and duration.
Other Herbs for Skin Disorders
See all herbs for skin disorders on the Skin Disorders page.
▶ Classical Text References (2 sources)
Sprikka (Delphinium zalil), plava (Cyperus rotundus), sthauneyaka (Taxus baccata), kanksi (Saurashtrika), shaileya (Parmelia perlata), rochana (bile of cow), tagara (Valeriana wallichii), dhyamaka (Cymbopogon martini), kunkuma (Crocus sativua), mamsi (Nardostachys jatamansi), agra (inflorescence) of surasa (Ocimum sanctum), ela (Elettaria cardamomum), ala (Haritala – Purified Arsenic trisulphide), kushtaghna (Khadira – Acacia catechu)), brhati (Solanum indicum), flower of sirisha (Albizzia lebbe
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
Vacha (Acorus Calamus), vamsha bark (Bambusa arundinacea), patha (Cissambelos Pereira), nata (Valeneria wallichii), flower stalk of tulasi (Ocimum sanctum), bala (Sida cordifolia), atibala (Abutilon indicum), nakuli (Alpinia galangal), kushtha (Saussurea lappa), shirisha (Albizzia lebbeck), haridra (Curcuma longa), daruharidra (Berberis aristata), guha (krishnaparni - Uraria picta), atiguha (shalaparni - Desmodium gangeticum), shveta (Clitoria ternacia), ajagandha (Carum roxburghianum), shilajat
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
Haridra, Sthauneya, Laksha, the five kinds of officinal salts, Kumuda, Utpala, Padma, flower of Arka, flowers and fruits of Champaka, As'oka, Sumanas, Tilaka (sesamum), Patali, Salmali, S'elu, Sirisha, Surasi, flowers of Dhava, Asva-karna, and of Sindhuvdra, flowers of Guggula, Kumkuma, Vimbi, Sarpa-kshi and Gandha-Nakuli should be carefully collected and pasted with honey, clarified butter and the bile of a cow and should be kept inside a horn (or a receptacle made of that material).
— Sushruta Samhita, Kalpa Sthana, Chapter 7: Dundhubhi-Svaniya
In such cases, a compound consisting of Arka roots, Rajani, Nakuli and Prisni-parnika should be employed as snuff as well as in drink (Pana), enemas (Vastis) and ointments etc.
— Sushruta Samhita, Kalpa Sthana, Chapter 8: Kita-Kalpa
Haridra, Sthauneya, Laksha, the five kinds of officinal salts, Kumuda, Utpala, Padma, flower of Arka, flowers and fruits of Champaka, As'oka, Sumanas, Tilaka (sesamum), Patali, Salmali, S'elu, Sirisha, Surasi, flowers of Dhava, Asva-karna, and of Sindhuvdra, flowers of Guggula, Kumkuma, Vimbi, Sarpa-kshi and Gandha-Nakuli should be carefully collected and pasted with honey, clarified butter and the bile of a cow and should be kept inside a horn (or a receptacle made of that material).
— Sushruta Samhita, Dundhubhi-Svaniya
In such cases, a compound consisting of Arka roots, Rajani, Nakuli and Prisni-parnika should be employed as snuff as well as in drink (Pana), enemas (Vastis) and ointments etc.
— Sushruta Samhita, Kita-Kalpa
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Kalpa Sthana, Chapter 7: Dundhubhi-Svaniya; Kalpa Sthana, Chapter 8: Kita-Kalpa; Dundhubhi-Svaniya; Kita-Kalpa
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.