Kutaki
Common Name:
Picrorrhiza(Eng.)
Sanskrit Name:
Katuka
Tikta
Katurohini
Kandaruha- Means it is in the form of a stem spreading on ground
Matsyashakala- Means ita rhizome is having skin like that of a fish
Chakrangi- Because of spiral marks on it
Krishnabhadra- As it is having black complexion on inner side
Shataparva- With many joints
Katambhara
Lt. Name:
Picrorhiza kurroa- Sacrophulariaceae
Bio energetics:
Rasa(Taste)- Tikta(Bitter)
Guna(Charactristics)- Laghu(Light); Ruksha(Rough)
Veerya(Potency)- Sheeta(Cool and calm)
Vipaka(Post digestion effest)- Katu(Pungent)
Effect on Tridosha (Three bio humors):
It pacifies the Kapha and Pitta Doshas i.e. it is useful in management of diseases resulting fron aggravation of Kapha/ Pitta or both.
Bio chemistry of Kutaki:
Kutkin is the active principal of Picrorhiza kurroa and is comprised of kutkoside and the iridoid glycoside picrosides I, II, and III. Other identified active constituents are apocynin, drosin, and nine cucurbitacin glycosides. Apocynin is a catechol that has been shown to inhibit neutrophil oxidative burst in addition to being a powerful anti-inflammatory agent, while the curcubitacins have been shown to be highly cytotoxic and possess antitumor effects.
Actions according to Ayurveda:
Bhedaniya- Laxative
Lekhaniya- Scrapes the unnecessary fat out of the body
Stanya shodhana- Purifies the lactation
Deepana- Appetizer
Hrudya- Cardiac tonic
Prameha hara- Useful in all urinary disorders including Diabetes
Shwas- kasa hara- Useful in respiratory discomfort and cough
Kushthaghna- Alleviat4es all skin diseases
Krimipranut- Kills the infectious agents
Dahajit- Alleviates burning sensation and fire component from the body
Vishama jwaranashini- Useful in intermittant fever
Medicinal value:
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The major constituents in picrorhiza are the glycosides picroside I, kutkoside, androsin, and apocynin. They have been shown in animal studies to be antiallergic, to inhibit platelet-activating factor (an important pro-inflammatory molecule), and to decrease joint inflammation. According to test tube and animal studies, picrorhiza has antioxidant actions, particularly in the liver. It has also been shown to protect animals from damage by several potent liver toxins, offering protection as good as or better than silymarin (the flavonoids found in milk thistle). However, it does not have the amount of human research as silymarin. Picrorhiza has also shown to reduce formation of liver cancer due to chemical exposures in animal studies.
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A series of cases of acute viral hepatitis in India were reportedly treated successfully by a combination of picrorhiza with a variety of minerals. A number of similar reports have appeared in Indian literature over the years. No double-blind clinical trials have yet been published, however.
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Two preliminary trials suggest that picrorhiza may improve breathing in asthma patients and reduce the severity of asthma. Although, a follow-up double-blind trial did not confirm these earlier trials.
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A preliminary trial conducted in India found a small benefit for people with arthritis (primarily rheumatoid arthritis).
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Picrorhiza in combination with the drug methoxsalen was found in a preliminary trial to hasten recovery in people with vitiligo faster than those receiving methoxsalen and sun exposure alone.
Useful part:
Dry rhizome
Doses:
Powder- 1-2 gm;
Important combinations with Kutaki:
Aarogyavardhini vati; Katukadya loha; Tiktadi kwatha; Tiktadi ghruta
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