Wellness reset

Kokilaksha is making waves as a medicinal herb in the domain of health and wellness

- Pramita Bose

Mother Nature has blessed the earth with the life-sustaining plant kingdom that offers health benefits and organic remedies in heaps. Among such priceless treasures, kokilaksha (Hygrophila auriculata) sits pretty as a useful herb.

Green glory

Also known as Ikshura, kokilaksha (the eyes of a cuckoo bird or the native koel) is a small aquatic herbaceous plant widely used for its therapeutic value. "This medicinal herb is highly cherished in Ayurvedic medicine. In English, it is often called the 'long-leaved Barleria'. The plant has been traditionally regarded as a reinvigorating herb, used for replenishing vitality, improving reproductive health and maintaining overall wellness," shares Dr. Renuka Dang, consultant dietician, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals.

Climatic map

Kokilaksha is indigenous to India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar. Plus, it is widely distributed across the tropical and subtropical regions of Southeast Asia, Africa as well as the Indian Ocean islands.

Kokilaksha thrives near water bodies, namely ponds, marshes and rice fields. It's a powerful aphrodisiac. It grows best in a warm, humid climate, proliferating in swampy or even enduring waterlogged spots, riverbanks and pools with moist, loamy, slightly acidic or clayey soil. Additionally, kokilaksha can adapt to a well-irrigated garden soil.

"Good news is that it can also be nurtured in pots if kept in a partially submerged, water-retaining soil with a fair amount of sunlight," reveals Amreen Sheikh, chief dietician at KIMS Hospitals, Thane.

Dietician Pranjal Kumat suggests that "while growing kokilaksha in pots or tubs, remember to use a large, shallow container stacked with rich organic soil and keep it consistently damp. The herb prefers from moderate to full sunlight. Propagation can be done through seeds or pruning to help elongate the stems."