Picrorhiza scrophulariflora (kutki)

MEDICINAL PLANT PICRORHIZA SCROPHULARIFLORA(KUTKI)

1. PICRORHIZA SCROPHULARIFLORA (KUTKI) PRESENTED BY: SUSHAN GAIRE B.PHARM 1 ST SEM.

2. Introduction Picrorhiza Scrophulariflora is a small delicate herb which generally grow only in snow clad Himalayan mountains.It is one of the oldest medicinal plants traded from the Karnali zone and is generally Known as Kutki or कुटकी in Nepali.It is regarded as one of the major income generating non-timber forest products found in Nepal.

3. Picrorhiza Scrophulariflora ( Kutki )

4. Habitat And Range Kutki grows naturally in wild in alpine regions on rock scars as well as in organic soils. It is found in Himalayan region ( Garwal to Bhutan ), Southeast Tibet , North Burma and West China. In Nepal, Kutki is distributed abundantly in Alpine Himalaya between 3500 to 4800m. It is found in rocky places of Himalaya . It prefers to grow generally on the rock's crevices. It mostly grows on sloppy and cliffy mountains. In Nepal it is also found in the eastern and central regions but abundantly in the north-western region growing on open, stony and grassy slopes , and on the turfof glacial flats.

5. Description A perennial herb with 5–15 cm long leaves, almost all at the base, often withered,coarsely toothed, narrowed to a winged stalk. R hizomes of the plant are 15–25 cm long and woody. Flowers are small, pale or purplish blue about 8 mm, 5-lobed to the middle, and with much longer stamens. Fruits are about 1.3 cm long.

6. Classification Picrorhiza scrophulariflora is the only species of this genus found in Nepal.The synonym of this species is Picrorhiza Kurroa . Family - Scrophulariaceae Local Name - Kutki , Katuki English Name -Hellebore

7. Technical Pharmacological Properties Of Kutki Anti-tumor, Anti-oxidant, Hypoglycemic, Immuno -modulator, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-spasmodic, Adaptogenic , Anti- heptotoxic , Choleretic , Neuritogenic , Hepato -regenerative properties, Purgative, anti-viral.

8. Chemical Properties KITIN Picrorrhizin Cucurbitacin Benetic Acid Vanniliac Acid Kutki Sterol Apocynin D- Mannitol

9. Medicinal Use It removes toxins from the colon and is cooling in nature. Diseases caused by Pitta and Kapha produces fatty and acidic.So kutki acts as anti acidic,anti fat and cooling in nature. It creates alkaline media in the blood.So it’s good for Acne,Pimples,Complicated Skin Disorders,Uric Acid,Urea,Creatinine etc. It is also beneficial in Liver and Kidney Failure,Diabetes,Cancers Of Liver,Skin and Psoriasis.

10. Kutki contains Apocynin which have been proven to give Anti Inflammatory actions, and thus helps to reduce platelet aggregation. It is also useful in treating Bronchial asthma. It contains Cucurbitacins which have Anti tumour activity. It even helps to reduce Blood cholesterol . The plant is also used in treating diseases like Abdominal pain, Stomach disorders, Anaemia and for promoting Bile Secretions. It is a known Immune – Modulator and helps in treating Fever. Also used in Epilepsy.

11. Dosage and Administration Picrorhiza does not easily release its components into water, therefore it is not usually taken as a tea. It is mostly administered as a standardized (4% kitkin ) encapsulated powder extract. Typical adult dosage is 400 – 1500 mg/day, with dosages up to 3.5 g/day sometimes recommended for fevers. 3-4 gm is recommended as antiperiodic . 0.6-1.2 gm as a bitter tonic.