GENTIANA KUROOA. G-Chirayita.

Sunday, 02 July 2006

Treatment for Catarrhs, Syphilis, Leprosy and Skin diseases Sans.----Kiratatikta; Anaryatikta; Katuki. Punj.----Milakil. Cash----Kiraita. Ettg,----Himalayan or Indian Gentian; Chiretta. Hind----Nilkant; Kamalaphul. Ben,----Karu; Chireta. Bom,----Pashanveda. Guz.----Kadu chirayata. Mah.----Kirayet. Can.----Kiriyatu, Kon----Jirate-kaddi. Tel----Nela-vemu. Tarn.----Nilavimbu. Mai.----Kiriyat. Burnt.----Sekhage. Malay.----Chrita. Cing.----Biocohamba, Habitat:----This species abounds round Simla, extending to Kashmir and N, W, Himalaya at altitudes of 5 to 10 thousand feet. Numerous other varieties of this druglare found in almost every part of India. Parts Used:----Root-stalk and the entire dried plant. Constituents:----It contains the same principles as the European root----gentian bitter, gencianic acid, pectin, and an uncrystallizable sugar. Other varieties contain chiratin and ophelic acid to which is due the bitterness. Action:----Bitter tonic, antiperiodic, antibihous, and anthelmintic, in large doses, aperient. In these properties different varieties differ in their strength. Uses:----The root is an efficient substitute for the imported gentian; the tincture and infusion closely corresponding to ithose of the European gentian. It is a favourite remedy in intermittent fevers, acidity and in bilious dyspepsia accompanied by fever; combined with acids it is said to be specially serviceable in the dyspepsia of gouty persons and in functional inactivity of the liver. A decoction of the root with its equal quantity of sunth and dikamali, or an infusion of chiretta in cold water with the addition of 4 grs., each of camphor and shilajit and « tola of honey are popular remedies in all cases of debility after fevers, in indigestion, loss of appetite eto. It is also used in catarrhs, syphilis, leprosy and other skin diseases. In the form of infusion mixed with a little powder of pipli (long pepper) it is useful in fevers accompanied by coughs and difficulty of breathing. A powder of the root mixed with honey is given in hiccup and to stop vomiting. The following confection is said to be useful in malaria and is said to reduce enlargement of spleen and liver after its long continued use, in doses of to « tola twice a day.----It is made of Gentian root and black pepper each 1 drachm, Aplotaxis auriculata, Cinna-momum tamala, Valerianae radix and Rhei redix each 7 mishals, and honey 11 palams. Powder all the ingredients and mix them with honey which is previously boiled and cooled The following Ayurvedic preparations are also in popular use among Hindu physicians;----(1) A decoction made of equal parts of Chiretta, gulancha, raisins, emblic myrobalan and zedoary root is useful in fevers caused by Vata-pitta, (2) A compound powder called Sudarsana churna prepared by taking equal parts of 54 different substances and of chiretta equal to half the weight of all the other ingredients and mixing them together. It is largely prescribed in chronic febrile diseases. (3) Kiratadi taila or oil of chiretta:----this is made by mixing together 4 seers each of concentrated decoction of chiretta, mustard oil, Kaujika and whey and two tolas each of 24 other substances in the form of a paste and boiling them together to the consistence of a thick oil. This oil is used for rubbing on the body in chronic fever with emaciation and anaemia. (4) Bhoonimbadhi Churnam, which is made of Chiretta, Katuki (Picrorrhiza Kurooa), trikitu, Musta (Cyperus rotundus) seeds of Holarrhena antidysenterica, churaka ( Plumbago zeylanica ) and bark of Holarrhena antidysenterica; used in dyspepsia, chronic diarrhea, fevers, dysentery and worms. (5) Panchathikthaka powder and decoction which consist of equal parts of chiretta Cocculus cordifolia, Oldenlandia Lerbacea (parpalaka), Clerodendron Serratum (Bharangi), tubers of Cyperus rotundus and dry ginger; dose:----cue drachm of the powder in decoction twice a day. (6) Panchathikthaka panakam which is prepared by boiling equal parts of Chiretta Katnkrohini (Picrorrhiza kurooa ), parpataka tubers of Cyperus rotundus and Oocculus cordifolia, in 16 ports of water, till reduced to its quarter volume and then adding sus;ar equal to the weight of the powders, to convert it into syrup; dose;----« ounce twice or thrice a day given in conjunction with Ananda Bhairavi or Jwaramurari pills, in malarial fever with enlarge,d spleen. The following are simple home remedies containing Chiretta ana useful in various common ailments;----(1 ) Take of one ounce of Chiretta and one drachm each of cloves and cinnamon and infuse them in one pint of boiling water for six hours and strain; dose-two ounces before food twice daily as a tonic (2) Take of one tola each of smashed chiretta and coriander seeds, boil them together in 16 ounces of water till reduced to 4 ounces; dose----2 ounces twice daily with a few drops of honey, used in cases of torpid liver. (3) Take two ounces of the bruised stems of chiretta, add them to a bottle of sherry and let it stand for a week; dose----2 ounces once or twice daily one hour before meals taken for debility after fevers, indigestion, loss cf appetite etc. (4) A compound tincture of chiretta is made thus:----Take of 1« ounces of bruised ohiretta, ? ounce of bruised orange peel and ¬ ounce of cardamom seeds freed from the pericarps and bruised; macerate all these together in 1 pint; of Proof Spirit for seven days in a closed vessel, with occasional agitation; then strain, press, filter, and add sufficient proof spirit to make one pint; dose----one to two drachms in water. An excellent tonic and also a valuable adjunct to other tonics.

Last Updated ( Sunday, 02 July 2006 )

 

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