PICRORHIZA KURRUO SCROPHURACEAE
Katuki is indicated for the treatment and management of pandu and grahani mainly.
The names katuka and katukarohini are used for majority of times in the brihathrayi works.
Sharangadhara quoted it as the example for Bhedana drugs.
VARITIES
There are two varities described in the work viz.,
- Katukarohini (P.kurroa)
- (E.paniculata).
SYNONYMS
- Asoka
- Katumbhara
- Katvi
- Chakrangi
- Matsyashakala
- Shakuladhani
- Krishnabheda
- Thiktha
- Rohini
- Arishta
- Ashokarohini
- Katurohini
- Kandaruha
- Matsyapitha
VERNACULARNAMES
English :Picorrhiza
Hindi :Kutki
Malayalam :Katukarohini
Kannada :Katukarohini
Punjabi :Kaundd
Marathi :KaliKatuki
Bengali:Katki
Urdu :Kutki
PARTUSED
- Root
- Underground Stem(Rhizome and Roots)
CHEMICALCOMPOSITION
Rhizome contains Picorhizin 26.6%, a bitter, crystalline glycoside which is medicinally potential and active chief substance. It is soluble in aqua, alcohol (90%), aceton, ethilacitate and other solvents. It also contains cathartic acid.kutkin was found to be a potent choleretic agent…
PROPERTIES
- Rasa :Tiktha
- Guna :Ruksha,Laghu
- Virya :Sitha
- Vipaka :Katu
- Doshakarma:Kapha-pittahara
KARMA
- Bhedana
- Lekhana
- Dipana
- Hridya
- Rochana
- Krimigna
- Pramehagna
- Sthanyashodana
- Daahaprashamana
- Jvaragna
- Pratibandhanaka
- Kushtagna
- Kaphagna
PRAYOGA
- Jvara
- Prameha
- Swasa
- Rakthavikara
- Daaha
- Kushta
- Krimi
- Arochaka
- VishamaJvara
THERAPEAUTICUSES
. In Hridroga- Katuka and Madhuka are taken with sugar water (C.S.Ci 28&A.H.Ci6)
. In Pandu – Katuka ,Athivisha,Ushira and chandana are collectively giving for internal usage(C.S.Ci7).
. In Kushta-A Mixture of Athivishachoorna.
. In kaphapittahara-Katuki with Mishri.
In Hikka-Katuki with gairikachoorna.
FOLKLOREUSES
- Stomachic
- Cholagogue
- Laxative
- Cathartic in large Doses
- Hydrochloric depressant
- Diuretic
- Hepato protective
- Anti pyretic
RESEARCHSTUDIES
- Hepato protective activity is noticed with decoction against Ccl4 -Induced hepatotoxicity in Rats.
- Alcoholic extract showed protection against Ccl4 induced hepatotoxicity.marked regressively of SGOT, SGPT and alkaline phosphates levels are noticed.
- Water soluble fraction of 90% alcoholic extract exhibited smooth muscle relaxant laxative and choleretic activities.
- Apomycin showed choleretiv action in the dog and also produced a moderate to marked relaxation of rabbit ileum etc;
- Ethanolic extract exhibited marked hydrocholeretic activity in anaesthetized dogs.
MATHRA
Powder :1-3 Gms
Powder : 5-1 Gms (bitter tonic)
Powder :3-6 Gms (purgative)
IMPORTANTFORMULATION
- Arogyavardhinirasa
- Tiktadyaghrta
- Katukadyaghrta
- Amritharishta
- JatyadiGhritha
- Kumaryasava
- Nimbadichoorna
- Rodrasava
- Vachaditaila
- Sudarshanachoorna
- PatoladiGritha
- Ayaskriti
- ManjishthadiTaila
- RasnadiChoorna
- TikthakaGritha