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| Latin Name |
Sanskrit Name |
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Picrorhiza kurroa
Royle. ex Benth. Scrophulariaceae
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Katuka |
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| History |
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Katuka has a long history of medicinal use, especially in India but also in China where it is known as hu huang lian. The dried rhizome is antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antiperiodic, cathartic (in large doses), cholagogue, laxative (in smaller doses), carminative and bitter tonic.
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| Habitat |
It is a perennial herb found in the alpine Himalayas from Kashmir to Sikkim at an altitude of 2700-4500 MSL.
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| Morphology
Description (Habit) |
The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs). It is a perennial herb with elongate, stout creeping root stock with radially arranged spatulate leaves and white or pale purple flowers in dense terminal spicate racemes.
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| Principal
Constituents |
The phenolic glycoside, androsin isolated from the plant, is reported to be an active compound, which prevents allergies and platelet activating factor-induced bronchial obstruction in guinea pigs in vitro. The root contains very bitter glucosides including kutkin and picrorhizin. It also contains apocynin, which is powerfully anti-inflammatory and reduces platelet aggregation.
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| Indications |
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The plant is mainly used as therapy for liver and lung diseases. The plant exhibits potent immunostimulant activity and is considered an immunomodulatory agent. It also has anti-inflammatory activity. In trials, the rhizome was shown to boost the immune system and to have a specific action against the parasite Leishmania donovani, which causes the tropical parasitic disease, called leishmaniasis. The rhizome has a very beneficial effect upon the liver and digestive system, and is used in the treatment of a wide range of conditions including fevers, constipation, dyspepsia and jaundice. There is evidence that the rhizome can help treat bronchial asthma and a number of auto-immune diseases such as psoriasis and vitiligo, and also reduce blood cholesterol levels, and, coagulation time.
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| Product
Range |
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Purim, Picrolax.
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