Health benefits of Kolinta (Porcupine flower)

Porcupine flower or Kolinta scientifically known as Barleria prionitis is a single-stemmed shrub in the Acanthaceae (Acanthus family). The plant is native to tropical Asia including India, Malesia, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka and in tropical Africa and Yemen. It is commonly found in the states of India include Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Diu and Daman, Goa, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Laccadive and Maldiv Islands, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Pudhucherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. It has been cultivated throughout the world as an ornamental plant, and has escaped from gardens in many regions including Mauritius, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Papua New Guinea. Some of the popular common names of the plants are Barleria, Porcupine flower, dog bush, yellow nail dye plant, Hop headed barleria, yellow hedge barleria and thorny nail dye.

Its Sanskrit name is Vajradanti, which literally means one which makes Danta (teeth) as hard as Vajra (diamond). The leaves are boiled with Kattha and used for rinsing mouth. This stops bleeding from gums and makes teeth strong. Barleria is also useful in acute and chronic congestion of the liver, jaundice, urinary and paralytic affections and in cardiac, renal and hepatic dropsy. The plant is extensively spread as an ornamental and weed, occurring in naturalized populations around the world. It used not only as an ornamental but also as a hedge and extensively as a component of folk medicines. As a weed it is regarded as problematic in many areas.

Kolinta ( Porcupine Flower ) Facts

Plant Description

Kolinta (Porcupine flower) is a small, erect, smooth, fast growing, single-stemmed, spiny shrub that normally grows about 0.6-1.8 m tall, but usually only about 0.7 m in height. The plant is found growing in open sunny areas in gardens, yards, parks, disturbed areas, forest edges, rocky outcrops, near streams, along roads, in overgrazed pastures in tropical and subtropical regions, waterways, open woodlands, waste areas, overgrazed pastures, thickets, broad-leaved forests, roadsides, bluffs and bars above streams and farmsteads. The plant grows in a wide variety of well-drained soils derived from igneous, metamorphic (including ultra mafics) and sedimentary (including limestone) rocks. The species is moderately intolerant of shade, growing in both full sunlight and under light forest canopies.

Root

The plant has central taproot, with lateral roots. Surface is rough due to numerous dot-like lenticels and root scars of fallen roots. External surface is greyish-brown, bark thin with the smooth internal surface; wood cream colored; fracture, hard and laminated; odor and taste is not characteristic.

Stems

The older stems and branches are robust, rounded, and light brown or light grey in color. Three to five pale-coloured spines about 5-20 mm long are produced in the forks (i.e. axils) of the lower leaves. Younger stems are somewhat squarish in cross-section (i.e. quadrangular) and greenish in color.

Leaves

The oppositely arranged leaves are 3-13 cm long and 1.5-4 cm wide and are either oval (i.e. elliptic), oblong or egg-shaped in outline (i.e. ovate). These leaves are hairless (i.e. glabrous) or slightly hairy (i.e. puberulent) on their undersides. Their margins are entire and they have pointed tips (i.e. acute apices) that end in a short spine.

Flowers

The stalk less (i.e. sessile) flowers are borne in branched spike-like clusters at the tips of the branches or in the upper leaf forks (i.e. in terminal or axillary clusters). They are yellow or pale orange in color, tubular in shape (3-4 cm long) with pubescent outside and glabrous inside and protruding stamens. The stamens include 2 fertile stamens and 2 staminoid stamens. The fertile stamens are exerted away from the corolla tube while the staminod stamens are very short. The filaments are hairy and about 2-2.5 cm long, glandular-pubescent and yellowish in color. The anthers are yellow in color with 3 mm long. Flowering occurs mainly during autumn (i.e. typically during April and May).

Fruit

Fertile flowers are followed by oval-shaped capsule that is 1.5-2 cm long and 0.6-0.8 cm wide with a sharply-pointed ‘beak’ (about 6 mm long) and contains two fairly large, flat seeds. These seeds are oval-oblong about 8 mm long and 5 mm wide), flattened, and densely covered with silky copper-brown appressed hairs and measuring about 7.4-8.5 mm long and 6-6.8 mm wide. The fruit are normally present during winter.

Health benefits of Kolinta

Kolinta has been used as a medicinal herb for a long time. Its purported medicinal uses are as follows:

1. Oral health

Barleria prionitis has various benefits for oral health. Paste made from its flower is used to make the teeth stronger. Decoction of the root is often used as a mouthwash, in case of mouth ulcers. In the case of cavities and/or bleeding gums, a bruised leaf or extracted leaf juice is applied to the affected area. The twigs of the plant are also chewed for overall good oral health.

2. Beneficial for skin

Paste of the leaf can be made and applied on the skin topically in case of eczema, itching, chilblains and skin allergies. Even for boils and pimples, a paste of the leaf is known to provide relief. For ringworm and other fungal infections, a suggested remedy is to dry the root, grind it into a fine powder and use a mix this dried root powder and lemon juice on the affected area. Even in comparatively less severe conditions like cracks on the feet, the leaf juice or paste can be applied.

More research needs to be done to verify these benefits and understand any contraindications. These natural remedies should not be used as a substitute for a doctor’s advice and prescribed medicines.

3. Reduce swelling or edema

In the case of water retention and swelling, Kolinta flower extract is said to help by increasing urination and eliminating sodium from the body without interfering with potassium levels—which is likely to do wonders for edema.

4. Relief Toothache

The problem of pain in the teeth can be removed by the use of Kolinta. To get rid of toothache, take 10 to 12 Kolinta leaves. Now boil these leaves well in water. Gargle with this boiled water 2 to 3 times a day. This will make your teeth strong. Along with this, the pain caused in the teeth can be relieved.

5. Reduce Body Swelling

The problem of inflammation in the body can be removed by the use of Kolinta. For this, boil 20 grams of Kolinta powder in half a liter of water. Inflammation in the body can be relieved by consuming this decoction. Apart from this, grind the roots of Kolinta and heat it. Now apply this paste on your affected area. With this, you can get relief from the problem of inflammation.

6. Good for gout, arthritis and swollen joints

Kolinta is said to be naturally anti-rheumatic. In cases of inflammation and swelling of joints, including in conditions like arthritis and gout, a decoction of the plant is prepared and administered orally by a trained Ayurvedic or Siddha doctor.

Animal studies have shown that Kolinta extracts may protect the synovial membranes which cushion the joints against friction and wear and tear. Some researchers have suggested it could be useful for patients of rheumatoid arthritis as well. However, more research needs to be done to establish this firmly.

7. Relief from the Problem of Diarrhea

Kolinta can be beneficial for you in getting relief from the problem of diarrhea. Children in particular are more prone to diarrheal problems. In such situation, grind 8 to 10 leaves well. Now add 2 to 3 black pepper and grind it. After that add water to it and filter it. Drink this prepared solution slowly. This can give relief from the problem of 9. diarrhea.

8. Kidney stones

Kolinta is a diuretic. This means that it eases the production and excretion of more urine from the body. This increased frequency of urination improves the chances of expelling kidney stones naturally. (Note: More research needs to be done to verify this benefit.)

9. Beneficial for respiratory problems

Due to anti-catarrhal action (the removal of excess mucus) of Porcupine flower it is used for cough and allergic rhinitis. Often, the juice of the leaf is given along with honey to promote the expulsion of phlegm and provide a soothing effect. Powdered dried bark of Kolinta is said to be effective in treating whooping cough. Apart from this, it may be beneficial for some people with asthma.

10. Control Diabetes

The problems of diabetes can also be controlled by the consumption of Kolinta. For this, take Kolinta flowers. Now after extracting about 10 grams of juice from it, add 1 to 2 grams of cumin powder to it. Consuming this juice in the morning and evening can keep the problem of diabetes under control.

11. Good for hair

Heating sesame oil with the whole plant or parts of the Barleria prionitis plant and applying it to the scalp and hair is said to prevent greying of hair. It can also be used to treat alopecia or hair loss.

12. Bleeding Gums

Various problems can develop in the mouth due to bleeding gums. Use Kolinta to get relief from this problem. To use Kolinta, mix little rock salt in its leaves and chew it 2 to 3 times a day and gargle. This can stop bleeding gums. Apart from this, you can also prepare its paste. To prepare Manjan, take 50 grams dried leaves of Kolinta. Now add 2 to 3 tablespoons of rock salt and grind it. Teeth related problems can be overcome by using this toothpaste.

13. Reproductive health

Porcupine flower is said to promote fertility and improve reproductive health in both males and females. While the juice of the leaf is used to treat spermatorrhea, water boiled with Kolinta root was traditionally rubbed on the bellies of pregnant women as it was believed to facilitate proper development of the fetus.

14. Relieve Itching

Kolinta can also be beneficial for people troubled by itching. For this, grind the leaves and roots of Kolinta in sesame oil. Now cook it by mixing double the water with sesame oil. When it is well cooked, apply it as a paste on the affected area. This will give instant relief from itching.

15. Problems with Urine

Urine related problems can be cured by the use of Kolinta. Its leaves contain a good amount of potassium, which proves to be helpful in relieving any kind of problem in urine. For this, crush its leaves cleanly and take out its juice and mix it in water and drink it. This will benefit you a lot.

16. Get Rid of Dry Cough

Kolinta can also be beneficial for people suffering from dry cough. For this, prepare a decoction from the roots of Kolinta. Now add honey to it as required. Consuming this decoction 2 to 3 times a day can get relief from the problem of dry cough.

17. Remove Phlegm from Children

Kolinta can be used in children having cough problem. For this, take 5 to 10 grams powder of dry leaves of Kolinta. Mix some honey in it and lick them. By this, children can get relief from phlegm.

Traditional uses and benefits of Kolinta

• Whole plant crushed, cooked with sesame oil and applied to itches, ringworm and boils.
• Leaf made into an ash and taken with fermented rice washing water to bring down swelling from edemas and dropsy.
• Leaves boiled to make a strong tea, and the mixture held in the mouth to strengthen loose teeth.
• Juice from crushing leaves are applied to scorpion sting, it will neutralize the poison, also used to treat inflamed areas.
• Juice from grinding the leaves applied to treat fungus infections on the soles of the feet and between the toes.
• In India the paste of root is placed on boils and glandular swellings; the bark is used for dropsy; and the leaf for toothache and rheumatism.
• Leaves are used to promote healing of wounds and to relieve joint pains and toothache.
• Leaves are a diuretic and tonic and chewed for fever, rheumatism, liver diseases, and indigestion with constipation, jaundice and urinary infections.
• An infusion of the roots and leaves is applied to boils and sores to reduce swellings, and also used for earache and headache.
• Extracts of the plant are included into herbal cosmetics and hair products to promote skin and scalp health.
• Juice of the leaves is applied to feet to prevent maceration and cracking in the monsoon season.
• Paste of the leaf is applied along with yogurt over the scalp to strengthen the hair and help in the growth of hairs.
• Paste of the leaf is applied over the area affected with localized swelling.
• Decoction of the plant or leaf is given in a dose of 50 ml to treat difficulty and burning urination.
• Paste of the root is applied over the throat to treat goiter.
• Paste of the leaves is applied over the tooth affected with dental caries to relieve the pain.
• Sesame oil is processed with the leaf of Kolinta and oil is prepared which is applied over the scalp to treat alopecia.
• Paste of the leaf is applied over the area affected with skin diseases like scabies and ringworm.
• Cold infusion of the plant is given in a dose of 50 ml as blood purifier.
• In children, the juice of the leaf is given with honey in a dose of 20-25 ml to treat rhinitis and cough.
• Decoction of the plant or leaf is given in a dose of 50 ml to treat gout and cases of poison.
• Flower of the plant is used for decorative purpose in home.
• Kolinta is recommended in coryza, cough and especially in children cough and whooping cough.
• Leaves are cooked in oil which is applied on ulcers and wounds.
• Externally the leaves are applied on scabies, itching, dermatitis and other skin diseases.
• Roots are taken in dysuria.
• Kolinta is useful in edema, blood impurities, nervine debility, poisons and other skin diseases.
• For the treatment of cyst in blood vessels, the oil of Kolinta is recommended in acute stage.
• Root of Kolinta rubbed with water is suggested for use by pregnant mother in order to develop fetus perfectly.
• Leaf juice is administered in a little honey or sugar in catarrhal affections of the children which are accompanied by fever and much phloem.
• Decoction of leaves and tops used for bathing in cases of febrile catarrh in Philippines.
• Whole plant is used for urinary and paralytic affections, rheumatism, jaundice, hepatic obstruction and dropsy.
• In the Konkan, dried bark is given in whooping cough and the juice of the fresh bark with milk is given for anasarca.
• For rain soaked feet, juice of the leaves applied to the feet to prevent cracking and laceration.
• Juice of leaves mixed with honey applied to bleeding gums; also used as ear drops for otitis.
• Stem, leaves and flowers are used for fever, toothaches, inflammation, gastrointestinal disorders, whooping cough in India.
• In Thailand and India, decoction of leaves and flowers are used for viral fever.
• In India, flowers are used internally for the treatment of migraine, internal abscesses, edema, hemoptysis, urethral discharges, and seminal disorders and to reduce obesity.
• Leaves used for the treatment of gastric ulcers.
• Porcupine Flower has several medicinal properties including treating fever, respiratory diseases, toothache, joint pains and a variety of other ailments.
• Mouthwash made from root tissue is used to relieve toothache and treat bleeding gums.
• Extracts of the plant are incorporated into herbal cosmetics and hair products to promote skin and scalp health.
• Oil extract of the plant is used to prevent Graying of Hair.
• Skin related problems like abscess, erysipelas, pimples and acne are cured by using Kolinta.
• For Deep Cuts, its leaf juice is applied on the injured area.
• The paste made from the flower is beneficial for the teeth.
• Its leaf decoction is used to treat Febrile Cold.
• Its dry bark is a good herbal treatment for Whooping Cough.
• Its bark juice mixed with milk is a good herbal treatment for Swellings.
• Its flower juice is used to treat Haemoptysis.
• Oil extracted from Kolinta provides good herbal treatment for rheumatic pain, arthritis and gout.
• Decoction prepared from its leaves is used to treat Paraplegia (paralysis of lower half of the body), Sciatica and Limbs Stiffness.
• Leaves and flowering tops are used to treat urinary disorder like diuresis.
• Its paste is used to treat Epididymitis.
• Root extract is uses locally on skin to expel out spine from the skin and decoction is taken orally for the cure of snakebite.
• Kolinta is used in urinary infection, jaundice, hepatic obstruction and dropsy.
• Ash of the whole plant with honey is uses in bronchial asthma.
• Pills prepared from Kolinta are used for massage in combination with coconut oil and these pills give purity, rubefacient and blotch to body.
• Folk medicinal healers of Bangladesh use Kolinta for the treatment of cancer and tumor.
• Kolinta root with goat milk is given to treat rheumatic fever.
• Root, stem or leaves powder with cow milk is taken as remedy for dropsy and liver congestion.
• Ethano-medicinal survey in India, revealed that local residents use Kolinta to increase vitality by using seed extract daily once for fortnight.
• Kolinta is being used in gout, ulcer of mouth and edema.
• In Orissa, Kolinta has been used in cuts, wounds and malaria.
• Leaf ash is being used for the management of leucoderma by applying with butter in Gujarat.
• Fresh leaf paste has also been reported against Scabies in Karnataka.
• Some tribal communities are used leaves for the treatment of piles and reduce irritation.
• Leaf juice is applied externally in lacerated soles of feet and pimples.

Ayurvedic Health benefits of Kolinta

• Anasarca (extreme generalized edema): Fresh juice of the bark is given.
• Arthritis, Obesity: The bark powder is taken in a dose of a half a teaspoon twice a day.
• Bleeding Gums: The juice of the leaves is applied to bleeding gums.
• Body pain: Leaf paste is applied.
• Boils: A paste of the root is applied.
• Cough, catarrhal affections, and fever with phlegm: Leaf juice 2 tablespoons and honey is given twice a day.
• Cracked feet: The leaf juice or leaf paste is applied.
• Eczema, itching: The paste of leaves is applied topically.
• Greying of hair: Medicated oil prepared by boiling plant part is oil is used for scalp massaging.
• Gout, rheumatism: A plant decoction is prepared and taken internally in a dose of 50-100 ml.
• Increase spermatogenesis: Dried powder of the plant is taken in a dose of 6 gm. with honey.
• Lymph node swellings: Root paste and rice washed water is applied.
• Mouth ulcers: A decoction of the root is used as a mouthwash.
• Oral Care: The leaves are boiled in water and used for rinsing mouth. OR The twigs are chewed. OR Decoction of the root is used as a mouthwash.
• Otitis: Leaf juice is dropped in ears.
• Rat-bite poisoning: The root decoction is given.
• Rheumatic fever: Powder of shade-dried plant with cow milk is taken orally.
• Ringworm, fungal infection: Root powder and lemon juice is applied topically.
• Skin allergy: The leaf paste is externally applied on the skin.
• Tooth-ache due to caries: Toothpaste made of the astringent leaves and common salt is used.
• Toothache, Gum problems: The root is chewed as a toothbrush.
• Toothache due to cavity: The leaf is bruised or juice extracted is in kept in the tooth cavity with or without Akarkara root.
• Watery swelling and pain all over the body: Root and leaf (20 gm. each) are made into decoction in water. A decoction is taken with cardamom powder twice a day for three days.

Other Facts

• Kolinta has been intentionally introduced to be used as an ornamental, hedge plant, and as a medicinal herb.
• Kolinta is a popular ornamental plant and sometime used as a hedge plant.
• It is also cultivated to be used as a medicinal herb in traditional medicine in Asia, India, and Africa.
• Porcupine flower furnishes cover for wildlife and protects the soil against erosion.
• It is widely planted as an ornamental and cultivated in Asia as a hedge plant.

Precautions

• Medicinal plant has a warming effect on the body, despite which no adverse effects have been observed upon the normal consumption and usage of Barleria prionitis.
• However, if you have pre-existing conditions and have been prescribed medication for the same, consult a doctor before consuming the herb orally.
• Consumption in excess can cause problems like burning in the stomach, acidity, etc.
• Those who have gastritis in the stomach, they should not consume it.
• If bile is already increased in the body, there is a bleeding disorder, there is a burning sensation in the hands and feet, ulcers, blisters, even then do not consume it.
• In Ayurveda, the consumption of hot things is prohibited in pregnancy. Do not consume it during pregnancy.

References:

https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=192974#null

http://www.hear.org/pier/species/barleria_prionitis.htm

https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/8510#toidentity

http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-2670139

https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/BAEPR

https://www.easyayurveda.com/2017/03/06/saireyaka-barleria-prionitis/

https://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/media/Html/barleria_prionitis.htm

http://www.stuartxchange.com/Kolinta.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barleria_prionitis

http://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/slides/Porcupine%20Flower.html

http://www.medicinalplantsindia.com/porcupine-flower.html

https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/taxa/82266-Barleria-prionitis

https://indiabiodiversity.org/species/show/32443

https://uses.plantnet-project.org/en/Barleria_prionitis_(PROSEA)

https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=BAPR

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