Kakatikta
Kakatikta is a substance used in the Ayurvedic materia medica. Traditional decoction preparation is the standard route. Bitter taste receptors (T2Rs) are activated in GI tract, mediating digestive stimulation independent of systemic absorption.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Kakatikta |
Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)
| Property | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | Tikta | Primary taste |
| Guna (Quality) | Laghu, Tikshna | Physical quality |
| Virya (Potency) | Ushna | Heating/Cooling effect |
| Vipaka (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kashayam (decoction), Capsule
Standard Dosage: 3-5g powder twice daily; 30-60ml decoction
Optimal Timing: Before meals for digestive stimulation; bitter taste is considered therapeutically important in Ayurveda (Tikta Rasa)
Storage: Cool, dry place below 25°C, protected from moisture. Airtight containers.
Marker Compounds: Bitter principles (quantified by bitterness value assay), Flavonoids (general profiling), Beta-sitosterol
Synergistic Combinations
- With Chitraka for digestive fire (Agni deepana)
- With Kutaki for hepatoprotective action
- With Guduchi for antipyretic and immunomodulatory effects
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
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