Common Name: Kutki, Katuki
English Name: Picrorhiza
Botanical Name: Picrorhiza kurroa Royal ex Benth
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Description: Picrorhiza kurroa grows in the hilly regions of the North-Western Himalayan region from Kashmir to Kumaun and Garhwal regions of India and Nepal. The bitter-tasting roots of picrorhiza kurroa are hard, about 6-10 inches in length, and creeping. The leaves are 2-4 inches long, oval in shape with a sharp apex, flat, and serrate.
Chemical Constituents: Main chemical constituents are glycosides picroside I, II and III, picrorhizin, kutkoside, kurrin, kuthinol, kutkiol, kutkisterol, kutkoside, androsin, apocynin, drosin and cucurbitacin.
Properties: A powerful anti-inflammatory agent, which also reduces platelet aggregation.The actions of Picrorhiza kurroa are cathartic (in large doses), laxative(in smaller doses) stomachic and bitter tonic, hepatoprotective, anticholestatic (relieves obstruction of bile salts), anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy, antioxidant; modulates the immune system and liver enzyme levels.
Used in the following MATXIN products: