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Introduction
Benefits
Precautions
Recommended dosage
How to use
References
Author Details
Ayurvedic View By
Dr. Deepak Soni
BAMS
Scientific View By
Monalisa Deka
M.Tech, B.Tech
Reviewed By
Dr. Rajeev Sharma
MBA, MBBS
Last updated
29 Aug 2022 | 04:38 PM (IST)
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Kutaki

Kutaki is a small perennial herb and a fast depleting high-value medicinal plant that grows in the hilly parts of the North-Western Himalayan region of India and in Nepal. The leaf, bark and underground parts of the plant, mainly rhizomes are used for their medicinal properties in Ayurveda.
Kutaki is mainly used for liver disorders like jaundice as it protects the liver against cell damage caused by free radicals due to its antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties. This antioxidant property along with cardioprotective activity also helps to improve heart health by preventing damage to the heart.
Kutaki powder along with honey can be taken twice a day to manage the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis such as joint pain and inflammation due to its anti-inflammatory property.
Gargling with Kutaki kwath (decoction) helps manage stomatitis (painful swelling inside the mouth) due to its Ropan (healing) property and Sita (nature). Kutaki powder along with coconut oil or rose water can be applied on wounds to promote faster healing[1][2][5][15].

What are the synonyms of Kutaki?

Picrorhiza kurrooa, Tikta, Tiktarohini, Katurohini, Kavi, Sutiktaka, Katuka, Rohini, Katki, Kutki, Hellebore, Kadu, Katu, Katuka rohini, Kaduk rohini, Kalikutki, Karru, kaur, Kadugurohini, Karukarohini[4]

What is the source of Kutaki?

Plant Based

Benefits of Kutaki

What are the benefits of Kutaki for Vitiligo?

Modern Science View
Vitiligo is a disorder that causes white patches to develop on the skin. Kutaki contains certain active components that have phytotoxic property. When taken orally for a few months Kutaki may be useful in managing Vitiligo[3][6-8].
Ayurvedic View
Vitiligo is a pigmentation disorder in which melanocytes in the skin are destroyed. As a result, white patches appear on the skin in different parts of the body. In Ayurveda broadly, Vitiligo or Shwitra is caused due to the imbalance of Pitta in the body. Imbalance Pitta lead to the formation of ama, which consequently impairs deeper body tissues. This ultimately causes depigmentation of the skin. Taking Kutaki helps to balance Pitta and remove the Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion) from the body because of Deepan(appetizer) and Bhedna(purgative) property, thus control the symptoms of vitiligo.
Tips:
1. Take 4-8 pinch of Kutaki powder
2. Mix with water or honey
3. Have it once or twice a day
4. To get rid of the symptoms of vitiligo

What are the benefits of Kutaki for Asthma?

Modern Science View
Taking Kutaki orally does not seem to have any beneficial effect in managing Asthma[3][13].
Asthma.
Ayurvedic View
Kutaki helps to control the symptoms of asthma and gives relief in case of breathlessness. According to Ayurveda, the main doshas involved in asthma are Vata and Kapha. The vitiated ‘Vata’ combines with deranged ‘Kapha dosha’ in the lungs causing obstruction in the respiratory passage. This results in difficulty in breathing. This condition is known as Swas Roga (asthma). Kutaki helps in balancing Kapha and also remove expel the mucus through stool because of its Bhedna (purgative) property. This gives relief from the symptoms of asthma.
Tips:
1. Take 4-8 pinch of Kutaki powder.
2. Mix with water or honey
3.Have it once or twice a day
4. To get rid of the symptoms of asthma

What are the benefits of Kutaki for Rheumatoid arthritis?

Modern Science View
Kutaki may be useful in managing Rheumatoid arthritis due to its anti-inflammatory property. It reduces joint swelling by inhibiting the production of inflammation-causing chemicals[3][12].
Ayurvedic View
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is known as Aamavata in Ayurveda. Amavata is a disease in which vitiation of Vata dosha and accumulation of Ama takes place in the joint(s). Amavāta starts with a weak digestive fire which leads to accumulation of Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion). This Ama is carried to different locations through Vata but instead of being absorbed, it gets accumulated in the joints and gives rise to Rheumatoid Arthritis. Taking Kutaki helps to reduce Ama due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Bhedna (purgative) properties and controls the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Tips:
1. Take 4-8 pinch of Kutaki powder
2. Mix with water or honey
3. Have it once or twice a day
4. To get rid of the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis

How effective is Kutaki?

Likely effective
Vitiligo
Likely ineffective
Asthma
Insufficient evidence
Rheumatoid arthritis

Precautions when using Kutaki

Breastfeeding
Modern Science View
Not enough scientific evidence is available on the use of during breastfeeding. So it is advisable to avoid Kutaki use only under medical supervision during breastfeeding[3].
Patients with diabetes
Modern Science View
Kutaki may lower the blood sugar level. It is generally recommended to monitor your blood sugar level while taking Kutaki with anti diabetic drugs[3].
Patients with heart disease
Modern Science View
Not enough scientific evidence is available on the use of Kutaki if you are on any antihypertensive drugs. So it is advisable to avoid Kutaki or use only under medical supervision in such a case.
Pregnancy
Modern Science View
Not enough scientific evidence is available on the use of during pregnancy. So it is advisable to avoid Kutaki use only under medical supervision during pregnancy[3].

Recommended Dosage of Kutaki

  • Kutaki Powder - 4-8 pinch once or twice a day.
  • Kutaki Capsule - 1 capsule once or twice a day.
  • Kutaki Tablet - 2-3 teaspoon once a day.

How to use Kutaki

1. Kutaki Powder
a. Take 4-8 pinch of Kutaki powder
b. Mix with water or honey
c. Have it once or twice a day
d. To get rid of liver disorders

2. Kutaki Capsule
a. Take 1 Kutaki capsule
b. Swallow with water once or twice a day
c. To get rid of the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis

3. Kutaki Ras(juice)
a. Take 2-3 teaspoon of Kutaki ras
b. Mix with water
c. Drink it before taking food once or twice a day
d. To get quick relief in digestive problems

References

  1. 1
    Banerjee D, Maity B, Nag SK, et al.Healing potential of Picrorhiza kurroa (Scrofulariaceae) rhizomes against indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration: A mechanistic exploration.BMC Complement Altern Med.2008;8(3).
  2. 2
    Sultan P, Jan A, Pervaiz Q.Phytochemical studies for quantitative estimation of iridoid glycosides in Picrorhiza kurroa Royle.Bot Stud.2016;57(7).
  3. 3
    https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1082/picrorhiza.
  4. 4
    The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia Of India.Part 1 Volume 1.
  5. 5
    Masood M, Arshad Md, Qureshi R, et al. Picrorhiza kurroa: An ethno-pharmacologically important plant species of Himalayan region. Pure Appl Biol. 2015;4(3):407-417.
  6. 6
    Narayanaswamy R, Ismail IS.Role of herbal medicines in vitiligo treatment - current status and future perspectives.Asian J Pharm Clin Res.2018;11(9):19-23.
  7. 7
    Gianfaldoni S, Wollina U, Tirant M et al.Herbal compounds for the treatment of vitiligo: a review.Maced J Med Sci.2018;6(1):203-207.
  8. 8
    Yoon J, Sun YW, Kim TH.Complementary and alternative medicine for vitiligo.Vitiligo-management and therapy.2011.
  9. 9
    Verma PC, Basu V, Gupta V et al.Pharmacology and chemistry of a potent hepatoprotective compound Picroliv isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Picrorhiza kurroa royle ex benth. (kutki).Curr Pharm Biotechnol.2009;10(6):641-649.
  10. 10
    Vaidya AB, Antarkar DS, Doshi JC et al.Picrorhiza kurroa (Kutaki) Royle ex Benth as a hepatoprotective agent--experimental & clinical studies.J Postgrad Med.1996;42(4):105-108.
  11. 11
    Chander R, Dwivedi Y, Rastogi R, Sharma SK, Garg NK, Kapoor NK, Dhawan BN.Evaluation of hepatoprotective activity of picroliv (from Picrorhiza kurroa) in Mastomys natalensis infected with Plasmodium berghei.Indian J Med Res.1990;92:34-37.
  12. 12
    Kumar R, Gupta YK, Singh S et al.Picrorhiza kurroa inhibits experimental arthritis through inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines, angiogenesis and MMPs.Phytother Res.2016;30(1):112-119.
  13. 13
    Doshi VB, Shetye VM, Mahashur AA.Picrorrhiza kurroa in bronchial asthma.J Postgrad Med.1983;29:89-95.
  14. 14
  15. 15
  16. 16
  17. 17
  18. 18
  19. 19
Disclaimer
The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional.