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Asteracantha longifolia

Asteracantha longifolia (Kokilaaksha) is an ayurvedic aphrodisiac and liver protective agent. Currently, research on this plant is preliminary with limited information on both components of the plant and toxicology.

Our evidence-based analysis on asteracantha longifolia features 20 unique references to scientific papers.

Kamal Patel
Research analysis led by and reviewed by the Examine team.
Last Updated:

Summary of Asteracantha longifolia

Primary information, health benefits, side effects, usage, and other important details

Asteracantha longifolia (synonymous with quite a few other plant and traditional names) is a traditional Indian medicine that is reported to be beneficial against glucose disturbances (Diabetes) and against liver problems; in addition to these two therapeutic claims, it is reported to be a diuretic and an aphrodisiac.

At this moment in time there is not much information on this herb, but it appears to have some interactions with glucose metabolism in the sense that it can augment glycogen synthesis in the liver and muscle tissue (mechanism unknown) and it appears to protect the liver and brain from lipid peroxidation with a potency somewhat comparable to Vitamin E.

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How to Take

Recommended dosage, active amounts, other details

There is currently not enough information available at this moment in time to recommend an oral dose of any medicinal component of this herb.

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Human Effect Matrix

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The Human Effect Matrix summarizes human studies to tell you what effects Asteracantha longifolia has on your body, how much evidence there is, and how strong these effects are.

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Grade Level of Evidence
Robust research conducted with repeated double-blind clinical trials
Multiple studies where at least two are double-blind and placebo controlled
Single double-blind study or multiple cohort studies
Uncontrolled or observational studies only
Level of Evidence
? The amount of high quality evidence. The more evidence, the more we can trust the results.
Outcome Magnitude of effect
? The direction and size of the supplement's impact on each outcome. Some supplements can have an increasing effect, others have a decreasing effect, and others have no effect.
Consistency of research results
? Scientific research does not always agree. HIGH or VERY HIGH means that most of the scientific research agrees.
Notes
grade-d
Blood glucose
Minor - See study
Appears to reduce the spike and overall exposure to glucose following an oral glucose tolerance test in both healthy and diabetic adults

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Things to Note

Is a Form Of

Primary Function:

Also Known As

Hygrophila longifolia, Barleria auriculata, Barleria spinosa, Ikshura, Ikshugandha, Hygrophila spinosa, Hygrophila auriculata, Kokilaaksha, Talimakhana, gokulakanta, marsh barbel

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Research Breakdown on Asteracantha longifolia

1Sources and Composition

1.1Sources

1.2Composition

2Neurology

2.1Neurprotection

2.2Aphrodisia

3Cardiovascular Health

3.1Blood

4Interactions with Glucose Metabolism

4.1Absorption

4.2Glycogen

4.3Diabetes

5Interactions with Oxidation

5.1In vitro

6Interactions with Organ Systems

6.1Sexual Organs

6.2Liver

7Interactions with Cancer Metabolism

7.1Hepatocarcinoma

8Safety and Toxicology

8.1General
Click here to see all 20 references.

This page is regularly updated, to include the most recently available clinical trial evidence.

Each member of our research team is required to have no conflicts of interest, including with supplement manufacturers, food companies, and industry funders. The team includes nutrition researchers, registered dietitians, physicians, and pharmacists. We have a strict editorial process.

This page features 20 references. All factual claims are followed by specifically-applicable references. Click here to see the full set of research information and references for Asteracantha longifolia.

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