Botanical Overview
Swertia chirayita, belonging to the Gentianaceae family, is commonly known as Chiretta, Chirayata, and Kiratatikta. It is a herbaceous plant native to the Himalayan region and South Asia. The whole plant or whole herb is traditionally used for its medicinal properties.
Energetics
Swertia chirayita is characterized by a cooling temperature and drying moisture quality. It has a distinctly bitter taste and is considered tonifying in its energetic profile.
Primary Actions
- Bitter
- Digestive tonic
- Hepatoprotective
- Febrifuge
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antimicrobial
- Antipyretic
Indications
Western
- fever
- digestive upset
- jaundice
- inflammation
- infections
Syndromes
- hepatic disorders
- chronic fever
- digestive weakness
TCM
- heat syndromes
- fever
- digestive disturbances
Syndromes
- damp-heat
- liver heat
- stomach heat
Ayurveda
- fever
- digestive disorders
- skin diseases
Syndromes
- pitta imbalance
- jaundice
- kapha disorders
Unani
- intermittent fever
- dyspepsia
- jaundice
Constituents & Mechanisms
The phytochemical profile of Swertia chirayita includes amarogentin, berberine, swertiamarin, iridoid glycosides, xanthones, and bitter secoiridoids, which contribute to its bitter taste and medicinal activities including hepatoprotective and antimicrobial effects.
Dosage & Preparations
- Decoction 3–6 g/day
- Powder 1–3 g/day
- Tincture 1:5 50% ethanol 2–5 mL 1–3 times/day
Safety & Contraindications
Swertia chirayita is generally safe at traditional doses, but caution is advised during pregnancy and lactation due to insufficient safety data. Some individuals may experience gastrointestinal discomfort. There are no well-documented significant drug interactions, though caution is advised with other bitter digestive agents.
Astrological Correspondences
No reliable and authoritative sources were found to assign planetary or elemental rulers for Swertia chirayita.
Selected References
- Swertia chirayita Monograph, Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I, Vol III (2001)
- Swertia chirayita, Plants For A Future database
- WHO Monograph on Selected Medicinal Plants, Volume 3 (2007)
- Pharmacological review on Swertia chirayita: A valuable medicinal plant – Kumar M. et al., Phytomedicine (2017)