Katuki is a Sanskrit word which means bitter. It is commonly used medicinal herb in Ayurvedic medicine preparation having hepato-protective, cardio-tonic, immunomodulator and Anti inflammatory properties. According to Ayurveda root and rhizome of katuki have Pitta and kapha pacifying properties, useful in liver, asthma and skin diseases.

Botanical Name: Picrorhiza kurroa, Royle & Benth

Family: Scropularaceae

English Name: Picrorrhiza, Hellebore

Sanskrit Names: Katuki, Tikta, Katu, Amagni, Arishta, Anjani, Katukarohini, Katurohini, Ashoka rohini, Matsya shakala(Having scales like fish), Chakrangi, Katvi, Shataparva, Mathsyapitta, Kandaruha.

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Names in Indian language:

  •  Hindi: Kutki
  • Kannada:Katurohini
  • Malayalam: Kaduka rohini
  • Tamil: Katukarohini, Kadugarohini
  • Telugu: Katuka rohini, katki
  • Bengali: Kutki
  • Marati: Kali katuki
  • Panjabi: Karru, Kaundd
  • Oriya: Kutuki
  • Gujarati: Katu, Kadu

Description: Katuki is a small hairy perennial herb with elongate, stout creaping rootstock and withered leaf base. Leaves: 4 to 10cm long radial, spathulate, serrated, Flowers: whitish or pale bluish purple with long flowering branch, flowering season June to August Fruits:Ovoid capsules.

Distribution:  Himalaya Mountain at 2700 to 5000 meter height, from Kashmir to Sikkim.

Parts used: Dried rhizome and root

Pharmacological action: Hepato protective, Laxative, Immunomodulator, antitumor, Anti viral, Anti inflammatory, Antipyretic, Anti oxidant, Hypoglycemic, Carminative, antihelmenthic and cardiotonic.

Phytochemistry: Picrorhizin, kutkin, Kutiol, kutisetrol, kutin, kurrin, vanillic acid, kutkoside, D-mannitol, apocynin, alkaloid, resins, tannins, glucosides and phenolics.

Ayurveda Description about Katuki – Picrorrhiza kurroa: 

Properties:

  • Rasa: Tikta
  • Guna: Ruksha, laghu
  • Virya: Shita
  • Vipaka:Katu
  • Agnikarma: Deepana
  • Dosha karma: Pittakaphahara
  • Other Karmas: Bhedana, pittarechana.
  • Roga karma: Vishamajwara, shwasa, kasa, prameha, arsha, daha, kusta, krimi, hridroga, pandu, kamala, grahani and arochaka.

Ayurveda References:

  1. Charaka samhita: Sthanya shodhana, Bhedaniya mahakashaya( sutra 4th chapter) Tiktaskanda.
  2. Sushruta samhita: Mustadi, Patoladi, Pippalyadi.
  3. Astagha hradayam: Patoladi gana, Mustadi gana.
  4. Bhavaprakasha nigantu
  5. Raja nigantu
  6. Dhanwantari nigantu

Ayurvedic Formulations:

Patola katurohinyadi kashayam, Patoladi gana kashauyam, Tiktaka kashayam, Mahatiktaka gritha, Arogyavardhini rasa

Dose: Katuki Choorna(Powder): for regular usage 1 to 2 grams, as a laxative 5 to 10 grams along with hot water.