# Kakoli

> Kakoli (Roscoea purpurea Sm. (also identified with Fritillaria roylei)) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Zingiberaceae family. Not listed in WHO monographs; a critically endangered Ashtavarga member; recognized in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Roscoea purpurea Sm. (also identified with Fritillaria roylei)
- **Family:** Zingiberaceae
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Not listed in WHO monographs; a critically endangered Ashtavarga member; recognized in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Kakoli |
| Latin/Botanical | *Roscoea purpurea Sm. (also identified with Fritillaria roylei)* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- Phenolic acids
- [Flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/)
- Diterpenoids
- [Carotenoids](/glossary/compounds-a-c/#carotenoids) (including 15-methyl retinol - first report)
- Oleic acid (unsaturated fatty acid)
- Linoleic acid
- [Terpenoids](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#terpenoids)
- Minerals (calcium, iron, [phosphorus](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#phosphorus))
- [Polysaccharides](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#polysaccharides)

## How does it work?

- [Immunomodulatory](/reference/immunomodulatory/) action through stimulation of both T-cell and B-cell mediated immune responses, with polysaccharide and flavonoid fractions playing key roles
- [Hepatoprotective](/reference/hepatoprotective/) mechanism involving [antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/) defense enhancement (SOD, CAT, GSH) and inhibition of lipid peroxidation in liver tissue
- [Antidiabetic](/reference/antidiabetic/) and [hypolipidemic](/glossary/pharmacology/#hypolipidemic) activity through modulation of [glucose](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#glucose) and lipid metabolism pathways, with phenolic compounds acting as alpha-glucosidase inhibitors

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Immunomodulatory and rejuvenation properties validated through preclinical studies demonstrating enhanced immune cell activity, confirming [Rasayana](/reference/rasayana/) application
- Hepatoprotective activity confirmed through experimental liver injury models, supporting traditional use in liver health
- Antioxidant and nutritive properties validated through chemical profiling showing rich mineral and carotenoid content, confirming traditional use as a body strengthener

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Balkrishna A, Joshi M, Varshney Y and others 2024. [In-depth phytochemical profiling of Roscoea purpurea (Kakoli): Comparative UHPLC-MS/QToF and GC-MS/MS analysis of supercritical CO(2) fluid - and conventional solvent - based extractive processes](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39197202/). *Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis*. PMID [39197202](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39197202/) · [doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2024.116444](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2024.116444)  
  First-time identification of carotenoid metabolite 15-methyl retinol in the species; fatty acid analysis of supercritical fluid extract revealed elevated unsaturated fatty acids, particularly oleic and linoleic acids.

*2 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.*

## Recent safety updates

- Traditionally used safely as part of Ashtavarga in [Chyawanprash](/formulation/chyawanprash/) and other rejuvenating formulations; no documented adverse effects at Ayurvedic therapeutic doses
- Critically endangered Himalayan species; authentication challenges and frequent substitution with other species pose safety and efficacy concerns in commercial products

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (tuber powder), Kashayam (decoction), Capsule, Avalehya (confection), [Chyawanprash](/formulation/chyawanprash/) ingredient

**Standard Dosage:** 3-6g tuber powder twice daily; 50-100ml decoction; as component of Chyawanprash

**Bioavailability:** Roscoea procera (syn. Fritillaria roylei per some references) - one of the Ashtavarga group. Contains mucilaginous polysaccharides, steroidal [saponins](/reference/saponins/), and [glycosides](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#glycosides). [Mucilage](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#mucilage) acts locally as demulcent. Steroidal saponins may be hydrolyzed by gut bacteria to absorbable sapogenins. Very limited modern pharmacokinetic data due to extreme rarity of authentic material.

**Optimal Timing:** With warm milk or ghee as Rasayana tonic; as part of Chyawanprash formulation

**Standardized Extract:** No standardized extract available due to species rarity. Authentication by DNA barcoding (ITS2, matK) is the primary quality parameter.

**Shelf Life:** 2 years (dried tuber powder if authentic); substitutes follow their respective shelf-life specifications

**Storage:** Cool, dry place below 25°C, protected from moisture. Airtight containers.

**Marker Compounds:** Steroidal saponins (if authentic material available), Mucilage polysaccharides, DNA barcode authentication is primary identification method

### Extraction Methods

- Aqueous decoction (traditional)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (50:50)
- Traditional processing as part of Ashtavarga for Chyawanprash and other compound formulations

### Synergistic Combinations

- With Kshira-Kakoli (paired herb in Ashtavarga)
- With [Jivaka](/herb/jivaka/) and [Rishabhaka](/herb/rishabhaka/) as part of Ashtavarga Rasayana
- With [Ashwagandha](/herb/ashwagandha/) for strength and vitality
- With [Shatavari](/herb/shatavari/) for nutritive and [galactagogue](/glossary/pharmacology/#galactagogue) action

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

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases)
- 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.