Karpasa: Benefits, Evidence, Dosage & Safety

Q: What is Karpasa in Ayurveda?

Karpasa is the dried seed of the cotton plant (Gossypium herbaceum), standardized in monograph 43 of the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India API, Vol. 1. Charaka Samhita mentions it in skindisorder pastes, therapeutic smoking formulas, and the Karpasmooladi yoga Charak Samhita herb database. These are classical references, not clinical proof of benefit.

Q: Does Karpasa increase breast milk?

It is traditionally used as a galactagogue, but evidence is very weak. One openlabel pilot study of 10 mothers found improvements with 6 g of seed powder twice daily, with no control group IAMJ 2020. LactMed states existing trials are small and inadequate to validate efficacy LactMed. Consult a clinician or lactation counselor first.

Q: What is gossypol, and why does it matter?

Gossypol is a polyphenolic compound in cotton seeds and root bark LactMed. Chinese clinical trials in over 8,000 men found it suppressed sperm production but caused hypokalemia in 0.75% of subjects and irreversible infertility in about 10%, so it was never developed as a contraceptive Qian & Wang, PubMed.

Q: Is Karpasa safe during pregnancy?

No. Cotton root bark was historically used as an emmenagogue Springer, and gossypol has antifertility and toxic effects LactMed. Internal use in pregnancy should be avoided; talk to a clinician.

Q: What is Karpasasthyadi taila?

It is a classical medicated oil whose namesake ingredient is Karpasa (cotton seed), used externally in Vatapredominant conditions. Its traditional use is classical, not clinically proven.

Q: Does Karpasa relieve pain?

An animal study found that a Karpasa seed decoction reduced chemically induced writhing in mice by 38.89%, suggesting possible analgesic activity JAIMS 2022. This is preclinical evidence only and does not establish pain relief in humans.

TL;DR

Karpasa is the dried seed of the cotton plant (Gossypium herbaceum), listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and traditionally used to support lactation and calm Vata. Modern research on its gossypol has focused on male antifertility effects, while galactagogue evidence remains weak. Use only under qualified guidance. (48 words. Sources: API; LactMed; Qian & Wang 1984)

What it is

Karpasa is the dried seed (devoid of lint) of Gossypium herbaceum Linn. (family Malvaceae), the cotton plant, as defined in monograph 43 of the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I, Volume 1 Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Vol. 1. Its Sanskrit synonyms include Tundakeshi; in Hindi it is Kapasa or Binaula API, Vol. 1. The seeds, root, and flower are the parts used in Ayurvedic practice Charak Samhita herb database. Key constituents include the polyphenolic compound gossypol, concentrated in seeds and root bark LactMed.

Traditional use

The following describes classical Ayurvedic use, not clinical proof.

Charaka Samhita cites Karpasa in three contexts: as an external paste (lepa) in kushtha (skin disorders, Chikitsa Sthana 7/96), as an ingredient of a dhumapana (therapeutic smoking) formula (Chi. 18/75), and in the Karpasmooladi yoga (Chi. 26/69) Charak Samhita herb database. Classical pharmacology classifies it as katu (pungent) in taste, ushna (hot) in potency, and pacifying to Vata and Pitta Charak Samhita herb database. In later practice it is widely described as stanyajanana (galactagogue, milk-promoting); the U.S. LactMed database likewise records Gossypium as a "purported galactogogue" LactMed. It is also the namesake ingredient of Karpasasthyadi taila, a medicated oil used externally in Vata disorders.

What modern research says

Galactagogue (milk production) effect

In a single open-label pilot study of 10 lactating mothers, 6 g of Karpasa seed powder twice daily with lukewarm water for one month produced statistically significant improvements in breastfeeding measures (p<0.001) Shreyes S et al., Int. Ayurvedic Med. J. 2020. However, the study had no control group and a tiny sample, so this is very weak evidence. LactMed states that clinical trials supporting Gossypium's galactagogue use are "small and inadequate to validate its efficacy" LactMed.

Male antifertility (gossypol)

Gossypol, the seed's signature compound, was investigated in China as a male contraceptive: a 1984 review documented trials in over 8,000 men showing reliable suppression of sperm production, but 0.75% of subjects developed hypokalemia (dangerously low potassium), about 7% reported digestive complaints, and roughly 10% became irreversibly infertile: so it never became a viable contraceptive (clinical-trial review) Qian & Wang, PubMed. This is a caution about the plant's chemistry, not a therapeutic recommendation.

Pain relief (antinociceptive)

A Karpasa seed decoction reduced acetic-acid-induced writhing in Swiss albino mice by 38.89% compared with control, suggesting analgesic activity in that animal model JAIMS 2022. This is preclinical only and does not establish pain relief in humans.

Dosage

The API monograph standardizes Karpasa seed identity and quality API, Vol. 1. A published pilot study in lactating mothers used 6 g of Karpasa seed powder twice daily with lukewarm water after food for one month: but it was an open-label pilot of only 10 women with no control group, so this dose is not established Shreyes S et al., IAMJ 2020. Any dosing belongs to a qualified practitioner.

Safety & contraindications

Pregnancy: Avoid. Powdered cotton root bark was historically used in the West as an emmenagogue (menstruation-inducing agent) Springer clinical-trial history, and gossypol's antifertility and toxic effects make any internal use unsafe in pregnancy.
Gossypol toxicity: In the male-contraceptive trials, gossypol caused hypokalemia, fatigue, dry mouth and skin, gastrointestinal upset, mild leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia LactMed; roughly 10% of men had irreversible infertility Qian & Wang, PubMed.
Breastfeeding: LactMed notes purported galactagogue use but inadequate evidence; galactagogues should never replace evaluation and counseling on modifiable factors affecting milk production LactMed.
Who avoids: Men trying to conceive, and anyone with low potassium or blood disorders, should avoid internal use. For other uses, safety data is limited: talk to a clinician.

FAQs

What is Karpasa in Ayurveda?

Karpasa is the dried seed of the cotton plant (Gossypium herbaceum), standardized in monograph 43 of the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India API, Vol. 1. Charaka Samhita mentions it in skin-disorder pastes, therapeutic smoking formulas, and the Karpasmooladi yoga Charak Samhita herb database. These are classical references, not clinical proof of benefit.

Does Karpasa increase breast milk?

It is traditionally used as a galactagogue, but evidence is very weak. One open-label pilot study of 10 mothers found improvements with 6 g of seed powder twice daily, with no control group IAMJ 2020. LactMed states existing trials are small and inadequate to validate efficacy LactMed. Consult a clinician or lactation counselor first.

What is gossypol, and why does it matter?