Kutki Herb Information

Botanical Name : Picrorrhiza Kurroa

Common Name : Katuka, Kutki, Katki

Ayurvedic Name : Kutki

Family : Scrophulariaceae

Part Used : Dried Rhizome

Description : This Ayurvedic herb is found in the western Himalayas from Kashmir in India to Sikkim.

Active Constituents : iridoid glycosides (picrosides I, II, III and kutkoside) Cucurbitacin glycosides (bitterness of root).

Remedies For

Small doses-bitter stomachic and laxative. Large doses-cathartic; anti-periodic, cholagogue.

Ayurvedic Applications : Epilepsy, paralysis, emmenagogue, emetic, abortifacient, skin diseases, improves eye sight, constipation due to small intestine secretion; with equal parts licorice, raisins, neem bark; for bilious fever; with aromatics for worms in children, fever, malaria.

Actions: anti-inflammatory, antidysbiosis, antasthmatic, laxative, immunoenhancer, antiarthritic, hepatoprotective, anti-allergic, immunostimulant (all aspects of immunity; T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes and phagocytes) , bitter tonic, choleretic, antioxidant, cathartic; cholagogue, laxative, digestive, alterative, and Liver Protectant against chemical hepatotoxins, hepatic.

Traditional uses: asthma, candidiasis, constipation, arthritis, dysbiosis, eczema, liver diseases, viral liver disease especially Hepatitis B Virus (decreases bilirubin levels), toxic liver damage, liver infections, increases protein synthesis in the liver (needed for repair of liver cells), acute and chronic infections, weakened immunity (enhances many aspects of immune system - T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes & phagocytes, auto-immune diseases, asthma, Vitiligo (reduces the number and size of unpigmented skin patches), fevers, jaundice; bronchitis; dyspepsia, anemia.

The roots and rhizomes (underground stems) of this flowering perennial are used medicinally. It is native to mountainous regions of India, Tibet, and Nepal.

Traditional Indian (Ayurvedic) healers have relied on this plant for centuries to treat lung and liver disorders including hepatitis and poor bile production, constipation, digestive upset, and snakebites, among other ailments.

What the Studies Say

Researchers in India particularly have focused on this herb and its medicinal potential. Their studies, most of them on rodents or small animals, indicate that the herb and standardized extracts of it, such as picroliv, may help protect the liver, control asthma, reduce inflammation, stimulate the immune system, fight viruses, positively affect bile output, and even help control potentially dangerous cell changes that sometimes develop into cancers. The studies reported did not involve human beings, but this may now be changing. Picroliv in particular is reportedly now being tested in humans (in phase II clinical trials) in India.1 Indian investigators have hailed picroliv as a powerful liver-protectant. The compound and a mixture of glycosides from the rhizomes and roots called kutkin have proved effective in protecting rats from chemically induced liver damage in various studies.

"These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease."