# Kakamachi

> Kakamachi (Solanum nigrum) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Note: Ripe black berries only (unripe green berries contain higher solanine levels). Bioavailability: Solanum nigrum contains steroidal glycoalkaloids (solasonine, solamargine), flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol), and polyphenols.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Solanum nigrum

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Kakamachi |

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

| Property | Value | Description |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| **Rasa** (Taste) | Tikta | Primary taste |
| **Guna** (Quality) | Laghu, Snigdha | Physical quality |
| **Virya** (Potency) | Ushna | Heating/Cooling effect |
| **Vipaka** (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Swarasa (fresh whole plant juice), Churna (powder), Capsule, Tablet, Kashayam (decoction), [Ghrita](/herb/ghrita/) (medicated ghee)

**Standard Dosage:** 10-20ml fresh plant juice; 3-6g powder twice daily; 500mg extract; 50-100ml decoction. Note: Ripe black berries only (unripe green berries contain higher [solanine](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#solanine) levels).

**Bioavailability:** Solanum nigrum contains steroidal glycoalkaloids ([solasonine](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#solasonine), [solamargine](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#solamargine)), [flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/) ([quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/), [kaempferol](/reference/kaempferol/)), and [polyphenols](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#polyphenols). Glycoalkaloids are well absorbed orally with ~50-60% bioavailability; they accumulate with chronic use. Quercetin and flavonoids have moderate bioavailability (~5-10%). Steroidal sapogenin aglycones ([diosgenin](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#diosgenin), [solasodine](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#solasodine)) are released by gut bacterial hydrolysis.

**Optimal Timing:** Fresh juice: morning on empty stomach for liver support. Powder/extract: before meals.

**Standardized Extract:** Hydroalcoholic extract standardized to 0.5-1% total solasodine [glycosides](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#glycosides) with TGA safety limit; aqueous extract for traditional [hepatoprotective](/reference/hepatoprotective/) use

**Shelf Life:** 3 months (fresh juice, preserved); 2 years (powder); 3 years (standardized extract capsule)

**Storage:** Fresh preparations: refrigerate. Dried preparations: cool, dry place below 25°C. Protect from light. Clearly label alkaloid content.

**Marker Compounds:** Solasonine, Solamargine, Solasodine (aglycone), Diosgenin, Quercetin, Caffeic acid, [Riboflavin](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#riboflavin)

### Extraction Methods

- Fresh plant juice (Swarasa - traditional primary preparation)
- Aqueous decoction
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (50:50 to 70:30)
- Traditional Ghrita preparation for lipophilic compound extraction
- Methanol extraction for comprehensive alkaloid and flavonoid recovery

### Synergistic Combinations

- With Bhringaraj for hepatoprotective action
- With [Himsra](/herb/himsra/) (caper) for liver protection
- With [Guduchi](/herb/guduchi/) for liver and immune support
- With [Yashtimadhu](/herb/yashtimadhu/) for gastric ulcer protection

---

Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/kakamachi/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.