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Botanical Name:
Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth
Kutki consists of the dried rhizome with root of Picrorhiza
kurroa Royle ex Benth, Family Scrophulariaceae
Common Name(s) in English & Indian Languages
Sanskrit: Tikta, Tiktarohini, Kaurohini, Kavi, Sutiktaka,
Kauka, Rohini
Assamese: Katki, Kutki
English: Hellebore
Guajarati: Kadu, Katu
Hindi: Kutki
Kannada: Katuka rohini, katuka rohini
Malayalam: Kaduk rohini, Katuka rohini
Marathi: Kutki, Kalikutki
Oriya: Katuki
Punjabi: Karru, kaur
Tamil: Katuka rohini, Katuku rohini, Kadugurohini
Telugu: Karukarohini
Urdu: Kutki
Botanical description:
A perennial herb with a long rhizome. The leaves are basal
and alternate, approximately 5–10 cm long. Spikes terminal.
Calyx nearly equally in 5 segments. The corolla has 4 or 5
lobes, bilobiate with lobes more or less spreading or nearly
actinomorphic. Stamens 4, inserted on corolla tube, slightly
didynamous, as long as corolla or strongly exerted. Stigma
capitate. Fruit an acute capsule, tapered at top,dehiscing
first septicidally and then loculicidally into 4 valves, 12
mm long. Seeds numerous, ellipsoid: seed coat very thick,
transparent and alveolate.
Parts used:
Dried rhizome & root
Major chemical constituent:
Glycoside (Picrorhizin)
Therapeutic uses:
• Asthma (Svasa)
• Burning sensation (Daha)
• Fever (Jvara)
• Jaundice (Kamala)
• Diseases of skin (Kustha)
• Intermittent fever (Visamajvara)
• Tastelessness (Arocaka) |
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