Picrorhiza kurroa is also known as kutki. It is a famous herb of Indian medicines of Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicines.
It has various health benefits to your body especially related to liver and respiratory system of our body. It is grown in hilly areas.
Its various parts like root, leaf, bark, and rhizomes are used for various purposes. Let’s have a look at what is it actually and what is it doing for you.
Table of Contents
What Is Picrorhiza (Kutki)?
Picrorhiza or PicrorhizaKurroa belongs to the family of Scrophulariaceae. It is also popularly known as Kutki or Katuki. It is a herb that is used for making Ayurvedic medicines.
It is grown in the Himalayan region, about 3500-4800m above the sea level at rocky places. It is highly bitter in taste and due to its bitter taste, it got its name as Picrorhiza as Picross is a Greek word which means bitter.
It is used for problems related to liver, respiratory system, fever and much more. It is endangered due to over-harvesting.
Composition Of Picrorhiza
The picrorhiza contains two major materials in which one is bitter and other possess non-bitter taste along with some more nutrients which are:
Maximum Composition Of These Two
- GlucosideKutkin – bitter taste agent
- Kurrin – non-bitter agent
It Is Also Composed Of
- Vanillic-Acid
- Kutkiol
- Kuti sterol
- Sesquiterpene
Characteristics Of Picrorhiza
The characteristics of Picrorhiza are the following:
- Another name for Picrorhiza is Kutki.
- It is small in size with hairs all over it.
- It contains woody rhizomes.
- The flowers of this are mostly white or pale blue.
- The flowers have cylindrical spikes as well.
- The rhizomes are dried and are added to the Ayurvedic medicines.
- Leaves of this herb 5 to 15 cm long and are toothed as well and are mostly found in the base of the plant.
- Rhizomes of the herb are woody and are 15 to 25 cm long.
- The flowers of the herb contain 5 lobes in the middle of it and are almost 8mm long.
- Fruits of this herb are almost 1.3 cm long.
Picrorhiza Used In Following Conditions
Picrorhiza uses the following:
1. Arochaka
It is very useful in treating the Anorexia disease.
2. Hrudya
Hrudya is very useful for your heart and heart-related diseases.
3. Asrajit
It is a coolant. That’ why it is useful in the treatment of disorders related to bleeding in your body like Nasal bleeding.
4. Vishamajvara
It is very useful in the treatment of chronic recurrent fever.
5. Kasa
Kasa is helpful in curing a cold and cough.
6. Shvasa
As the name suggests, it is useful for asthma.
7. Dahajit
It is helpful when you face a burning sensation.
8. Deepani
It improves problems related to digestion and metabolism.
Therapeutic Power Of The Herb
There are various therapeutic powers of the herb which are:
- This is very helpful in the treatment of various attacks hysteria, epilepsy, and convulsion.
- It acts as a powerful laxative.
- It stimulates the liver and appetite.
- It is a good febrifuge.
- It also cures vomiting and nausea.
- It helps in getting relief from viral hepatitis and anorexia.
- It provides the cooling effect to the body.
- It possesses antibiotic properties as well.
- It also helps in promoting the secretion of bile juices.
- It also helps in solving skin problems.
Treatment Of Ailments
Picrorhiza is helpful in treating the following ailments:
1. Liver
This herb is helpful for relieving liver cirrhosis. Root in powdered form is used for curing liver cirrhosis.
How To Use?
1 teaspoon of Piccrorhiza is mixed with honey, and it should be used 3 times a day.
2. Jaundice
Picrorhiza is the major and even necessary component in all the Ayurvedic medicines which are used for curing Jaundice.
Usually, one or two teaspoons of Picrorhizais treated for Jaundice.
3. Indigestion
Picrorhiza is very helpful if you suffer from indigestion. It increases the secretion of the gastric juices. It improves the appetite. It strengthens the stomach and helps in promoting the various actions of indigestion.
4. Constipation
It is also very helpful in treating the problem of constipation. For constipation as well, it is mixed with honey and is taken almost 6 times a day.
5. Ascites
It is used for curing Ascites.
How To Use?
50 gms of picrorhiza is boiled in 200ml of water, and this mixture is consumed to cure Ascites.
6. Viral Hepatitis
Picrorhiza is very helpful in treating viral hepatitis as well.
It boosts the immune system.
Cancer
It also treats cancer by killing the cancer cells from your body.
Ayurvedic Medicines Using Picrorhiza As Ingredient
1. MahayograjGuggal
It is used mainly when you face disorders related to joint or skin.
2. MahatiktakaGhrita
It is an herbal medicine which is used for curing skin diseases.
3. Sarivadyasava
Diabetes or skin disorders are cured by this fermented liquid medicine.
4. PatoladiChoornam
If you have digestive complications or cardiac disorders, then this medicine is suggested.
5. ArogyaVardhiniVati
Skin diseases, liver disorders, and fever are treated by this medicine.
Home Remedies For Various Diseases Using Picrorhiza
1. Home Remedy For Fever With Pitta Kapha Imbalance
In this type of fever who feel heaviness, internal burning sensation, headache, etc. picrorhiza possesses antibacterial and antiviral properties due to which it is used for so much of purposes.
Ingredients You Need
- Fine powder of Picrorhiza – 1gm
- Unrefined sugar – 3gm
Procedure To Be Followed
- Add 1 gm of picrorhiza in 3gm of unrefined sugar.
- Take this mixture 1 or 2 times a day 10 minutes before taking the meal.
- Picrorhiza capsules are also available.
- You can take a capsule with a sugar candy every day.
Expiration Date
If it is in the form of a capsule, then it can be kept for 1 year, but if it is in the form of powder, then it can only be stored for 3 to 5 months.
Note: Try to avoid during pregnancy and if you want to consume then consult the doctor first.
2. Home Remedy For Vomiting And Hiccups
This herb is very helpful for all liver related issues by the research. So, it cures hiccups and vomiting due to jaundice.
Ingredients You Need
- Powder of picrorhiza – 1gm
- Honey – 1 teaspoon
Procedure To Be Followed
- Mix 1gm of picrorhiza in 1 teaspoon of honey.
- Consume this 2 times a day.
Note: during pregnancy take after consulting the doctor only.
3. Home Remedy For Bleeding Disorder, Fever And Heart Support
Using this along with licorice give perfect anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties are giving tremendous recovery from bleeding disorder, fever and heart diseases.
Ingredients You Need
- Licorice powder – 10gm
- Picrorhiza – 10gm
- Luke warm water
Procedure To Be Followed
- Mix both of these powders.
- Take 500mg or 1gm of this mixture along with luke-warm water one or two times a day.
Side Effects Of Picrorhiza
1. Pregnancy And Breastfeeding
There is not complete information related to its safety while using during pregnancy. So, you must avoid it during pregnancy.
2. Auto-Immune Diseases
This herb makes the immune system very active. So, if you have any of the problems like multiple sclerosis or lupus then try to avoid using it.
3. Diabetes
Picrorhiza lowers the level of sugar in your blood. So, if you diabetic then check the changes in sugar level while consuming it and if you observe that it is decreasing your level of sugar then try to avoid it.
4. Surgery
If you were going through some surgical operations or anything like this, then take this only after the completion of two weeks of surgical operations.
Safety And Precautionary Measures
- It can cause vomiting, nausea, and rashes if not taken with proper care.
- Pregnancy and lactating women must avoid this.
- Should be used only after proper knowledge and prescription.
How And Where To Store?
Picrorhiza is sensitive to heat. It degrades very easily. So, proper care is needed to be taken while storing it. Storing it at a temperature of 50 degree Celsius does not degrade it much for 6 months but storing it at a temperature higher than this degrades it.
Storing it at a temperature of 50 degree Celsius does not degrade it much for 6 months but storing it at a temperature higher than this degrades it.
So, store it at less temperature. You must be thinking that why not to store in refrigerator or any other cold place then you must keep this thing in mind that this herb must not be kept anywhere where heat is produced. So, it is advisable to store it away from any of the heat producing appliances.
Bottom Line
You must not have heard about this herb, but this herb is very important of ayurvedic treatments. They have minimum side-effects and a lot of profits.
You need to consume it under the proper consultation of doctors. Nothing else. Treatment of this herb is worth trying. Try once and see the results.
