Nikochaka
Alangium salviifolium
Nikochaka (Alangium salviifolium) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Unknown family. Traditional uses cannot be validated without confirmed botanical identity Name may appear in specific Nighantu (Ayurvedic lexicon) texts such as Dhanvantari Nighantu, Raja Nighantu, or Bhavaprakasha Nighantu requiring targeted scholarly investigation
| Botanical name | Alangium salviifolium |
|---|---|
| Family | Unknown |
| Order | Cornales |
| Pharmacopoeia status | Not identifiable in WHO or any standard pharmacopoeial reference; requires specialist ethnobotanical research for positive identification |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 3701897 · Wikidata Q10927686 · NCBI Taxonomy 616984 |
This entry and ankola describe the same drug, Alangium salviifolium, under different names. Both pages are kept because both names are in use; the other is treated as the primary record for citation.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Nikochaka |
| Latin/Botanical | Uncertain - possibly a regional/historical Ayurvedic name with unclear botanical identity |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Identification uncertain - insufficient data available
- No standardized phytochemical profile established
- Requires further ethnobotanical investigation
- May correspond to a plant referenced only in specific Nighantu texts
How does it work?
- Cannot be determined without positive botanical identification
- Pharmacological mechanisms remain undocumented for this specific name
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
- Traditional uses cannot be validated without confirmed botanical identity
- Name may appear in specific Nighantu (Ayurvedic lexicon) texts such as Dhanvantari Nighantu, Raja Nighantu, or Bhavaprakasha Nighantu requiring targeted scholarly investigation
What do recent clinical trials show?
- Darwish WS, Chen Z, Li Y and others 2021. Retraction Note to: Deoxynivalenol-induced alterations in the redox status of HepG2 cells: identification of lipid hydroperoxides, the role of Nrf2-Keap1 signaling, and protective effects of zinc. Mycotoxin research. PMID 34414528 · doi:10.1007/s12550-021-00440-0
No specific published research was found for the term ‘Nikochaka’ in available scientific databases. The herb may be a rare or obsolete Sanskrit name requiring specialist Ayurvedic lexicography for positive identification.
1 further claim previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and has been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.
Recent safety updates
- Safety profile cannot be established without confirmed botanical identity
- Use of unidentified herbs poses significant safety risks; proper botanical authentication is essential before any medicinal application
- Specialist consultation with Ayurvedic pharmacognosy experts (Dravyaguna Vijnana specialists) recommended for identification
What is it made of?
Key Active Markers
- Identification uncertain - insufficient data available
- No standardized phytochemical profile established
- Requires further ethnobotanical investigation
- May correspond to a plant referenced only in specific Nighantu texts
Analytical Methods: HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kwatha (decoction), Capsule, Tablet, Lepa (paste for external use)
Standard Dosage: 1-3 g dried powder twice daily; 15-20 mL decoction twice daily; external paste as directed
Bioavailability: Limited modern pharmacokinetic data available. Traditional Ayurvedic texts indicate good absorption when administered with warm water (Ushna Jala Anupana). Alkaloid and tannin constituents expected to have moderate oral bioavailability (20-40%). Co-administration with Pippali or ginger may enhance absorption through bioenhancement.
Optimal Timing: Best taken before meals with warm water for digestive indications; after meals for systemic therapeutic effects.
Standardized Extract: Aqueous extract (5:1 ratio) with validated HPTLC fingerprint. Hydroalcoholic extract standardized based on total phenolic content (minimum 3% GAE).
Shelf Life: Dried powder: 12-18 months; Hydroalcoholic extract: 18-24 months; Capsules/Tablets: 24 months
Storage: Store in airtight containers below 25 deg C, RH <60%, protected from light. Double-sealed polyethylene-lined containers recommended for bulk powder.
Marker Compounds: Total tannins (as tannic acid), Total phenolics (as gallic acid equivalents), Total alkaloids
Extraction Methods
- Aqueous decoction (traditional method)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (40-60% ethanol)
- Cold maceration in water for 12-24 hours
- Methanol extraction for analytical characterization
Synergistic Combinations
- Haridra (anti-inflammatory synergy)
- Triphala (enhanced detoxification)
- Guduchi (immunomodulatory combination)
- Yashtimadhu (gastroprotective synergy)
Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.
Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.