Kiratatikta

 Kiratatikta is a small plant that grows mainly in Himalayan regions. The herb is commonly known as Chiretta and have many therapeutic uses. Dr.Varun Ram Raj of Ayurvedatarian uses the herb Kirata tikta for the treatment diseases caused by the vitiation of Pitta Kapha doshas as the herb is Pitta Kapha samaka in it’s action and also as a Hepatoprotective medicine. Kirata tikta is used to treat numerous diseases including Cough , Skin disorder, Ulcers etc. Nowadays it is also used as an appetizer , laxative and anthelmintic agent as it contains Phytoconstituents like ophelic acid, amarogentin etc.

General aspects and geography

Botanical name : Swertia chirata        

Family :  Gentianaceae 

Habitat: Through out India 

Parts used

• Whole herb

Classical categorization based on Ayurveda textbooks

Charaka Samhita – Trishnanigrahana varga (alleviate thirst )

Susruta Samhita – Aragwadha gana

Pharmacological action

• Appetizer 
• Laxative 
• Blood purifier
• Anthelmintic 

Medicinal property according to Ayurveda

• Sothahara (antiinflammatory )
• Jwarahara (Antipyretic )
• Krimighna (kills worms)
• Kushtaghna (Alleviate skin disorders)

Therapeutic indications

• Swelling (Sotha)- The paste prepared from Kirata tikta is added with ginger and applied on skin.
• Haemorrhage (Rakthapitta)- The decoction of Kiratatikta is beneficial in alleviating Haemorrhage.

Dosage

Powder (Churna) – 3 g

Decoction (kwatha )- 90 ml

Tablet - 2 tablets twice daily or as per the advice of the Ayurveda doctor 

Note: Ayurveda medications must be taken only after consulting an Ayurveda doctor. 

Formulations 

• Sudarsanam churna
• Sudarsanam gulika
• Kiratatiktadi kwatha 

Morphology :

A perennial herb with lanceolate leaves. Inflorescence is terminal panicle. Flowers are greenish yellow. Fruits are capsule.

Vernacular names 

English – Chiretta 

Hindi- kiryat

Malayalam – kiriyatt

Sanskrit – Kiratatikta 

Synonyms 

• Bhunimba
• Haima
• Kirata

Rasapanchaka of Kirata Tikta

Rasa-  Tikta (bitter )

Guna-  Laghu (light)

Vipaka- Katu (Acrid)

Virya-  sita (cold)

किरातिक्त सारको रूक्षः शीतलस्तिक्तको लघुः ।

सन्निपातज्वरश्चासकफपित्तास्त्रदाहनुत् ||

(Bhavaprakasa Nighantu -Haritakyadi varga-shloka 155)

Kirata tikta is Pitta Kapha samaka because of it’s properties like Katu vipaka and cold potency. The herb is used to alleviate diseases caused by Pitta and Kapha doshas like Fever, Swelling, Cough and Skin disorder etc. Ayurvedatarian lead by Dr.Varun Ram Raj, is currently conducting various researches based on ancient Ayurvedic textbooks, involving Kirata tikta for preparing various combinations of medicines to alleviate conditions involving vitiation of Kapha and Pitta. Reach Ayurvedatarian for better health management.

Frequently asked Questions

1)What are the uses of Kiratatiktadi kashaya  ?

   Used for alleviating Fever and Diarrhoea.

2)What is the scientific name of Kiratatikta ?

Botanical name of Kiratatikta is Swertia chirata