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
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