Scientific name
Picrorhiza kurroa
Family
Scrophulariaceae
Origin
Himalaya
Synonyms
Hu Huang Lian
Used Parts
Drug given by tuberous roots and rhizomes
Chemical constituents
- Iridoid glucosides (picrosides I, II, III and kutkoside);
- Phenolic glucosides (androsine and picein);
- Cucurbitacin triterpenes;
- Polysaccharides.
Picrorhiza in Herbalist: Property of Picrorhiza
The plant is used in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of numerous diseases (asthma, constipation, candida infections, arthritis, eczema, digestive diseases, liver poisoning, autoimmune diseases, vitiligo, bronchitis), but without finding many positive results in conventional medicine. Picrhoriza is still the subject of numerous studies to demonstrate its immunostimulant, anti-asthmatic and anti-inflammatory activity: Picrorhiza has shown a protective activity against liver damage from exogenous toxicants and from drugs.
Side effects
After taking at high doses diarrhea, flatulence and skin rash may appear.
Contraindications
Avoid taking in case of hypersensitivity to one or more components.
Pharmacological Interactions
- not known.
