A Natural Remedy for Holistic Health

HERB HERITAGE: CHITRAKA

Chitraka, with its rich history in Ayurveda and ancient Indian literature, continues to be a re­vered herb in the holistic health commu­nity. Its numerous therapeutic applica­tions demonstrate its versatile nature and effectiveness as a natural remedy. With its deep roots in ancient Indian medical traditions and growing recognition in modern science, Chitraka remains an essential herb in the quest for balanced health and well-being. As Ayurveda evolves and integrates with modern wellness practices, Chitraka’s enduring legacy in healing continues to inspire and inform holistic health solutions.

Chitraka is well-referenced in clas­sical Ayurvedic texts, particularly the Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Ashtanga Hridayam, with a detailed understanding of its therapeutic uses as well as its significance in the broader framework of Ayurvedic medicine.

Charaka Samhita: The Charaka Samhita, one of the foundational texts of Ayurveda, extensively discusses the medicinal properties of Chitraka. It is often described as a herb that kindles the digestive fire and aids in the expul­sion of toxins. The text elaborates on how Chitraka helps balance the doshas, particularly Kapha and Vata, and is used to treat conditions like indigestion, colic, and abdominal bloating.

Sushruta Samhita: The Sushruta Samhi­ta, a comprehensive guide to surgery and therapeutic practices, mentions Chitra­ka primarily for its anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effects. It recommends the herb for purging excess fluids and promoting blood circulation, mak­ing it beneficial in the treatment of edema, joint pain, and other swelling-related ail­ments.

Ashtanga Hridayam: The Ashtanga Hri­dayam also acknowledges Chitraka’s role in supporting digestion, detoxify­ing the body, and purifying the blood. It highlights the herb’s ability to sup­port the function of Agni and its use in treating skin conditions, digestive disturbances, and respiratory issues.

The generic name Plumbago is de­rived from Latin word Plumbum (=lead), referring to its ability to cure lead palsy or the ability of plant sap to create lead coloured stains on skin. Hence also called ‘leadwort’.

Sanskrit synonyms: Agni, Agnimata, Agnisikha, Anala, Analanama, Aruna, Barhi, Bhali, Brihadbhanu, Chitra, Chitrapali, Chitraka, Chitranga, Da­haka, Dahana, Daruna, Dvipi, Hima­rati, Hiranyareta, Hutabhuk, Huashaa, Jataveda, Jyotishka, Jyoti, Jvala, Kris­hanu, Krishnavartma, Kuta, Lohitanga, Pachi, Palaka, Pali, Pathi, Pathina, Pa­vaka, Saptarshi, Shambara, Shabala, Shardula, Shikha-vana, Shikhi, Shu­chi, Shura, Shushma, Shwetachitraka, Ushana, Vaishavanara, Vallari, Vahni, Vanhinama, Vibhakara, Vibhavasu, Vyala, Varuna

Regional Names

Hindi – Chitrak, Cheeta

English – Leadwort, Doctorbush

Bengali – Chita

Kannada – Chitramula, Vahni

Malayalam – Vellakeduveli

Oriya – Chitamula

Punjabi – Chitra

Telugu – Chitramulam

Marathi – Chitramul

Gujarati – Chitro

Tamil – Chittiri, Chittira

Arabian – Sheetaraj

Farsi – Sheetar

Ayurvedic Properties

Rasa: Katu

Guna: Laghu, Ruksha, Tikshna

Veerya: Ushna

Vipak: Katu

Effect on Dosha: Kaphavatashamaka (al­leviates kapha and vata), Pittavardhaka (Increases pitta)

Karma/Action:

Deepana (Appetite stimulant)

Pachana (Digestive)

Pittasaraka (Mobilises pitta)

Arshoghna (Alleviates piles)

Grahi (Absorbs excessive fluid in intes­tine/binds stool)

Krimighna (Worm destroying)

Kushtahara (Alleviates skin diseases)

Raktapittaprakopaka (Aggravates rak­tapitta/haemorrhage)

Kaphaghna (Removing Phlegm)

Kanthya (Beneficial for throat and voice)

Garbhasravakara (Abortifacient)

Garbhashaya Sankochak (Contracts uterus)

Swedajanana (Sudorific)

Jwaraghna (Febrifuge)

Shoolahara (Alleviates pains)

Shothahara (Anti-inflammatory)

Lekhana (Anti-obesity)

Vajikarana (aphrodisiac)

Visphotajanana (Vesicant)

Uttejaka (Nerve stimulant)

Madak (Intoxicaton)

Katupaushtika (Bitter tonic)

Rasayana (Rejuvenator)

Triptighna (Anti saturative)

Stanya sodhak (lactodepurant)

Sukra sodhaka (Sperm purifier)

Ayurvedic formulations of Chitraka: Yo­garaja guggulu vati, Saptavimshatika guggulu vati, Punarnava guggulu vati, Panchatikta guggulu ghrita, Vyoshadi guggulu vati, Chitrakadi vati, Chitraka ghrita, Chitrakaharitaki, Dashamoolar­ishta, Drakshasava, Lauhasava, Ash­wagandharishta, Yakritaplihari lauha, Chitrakadi taila, Chitrakadi Churna, Agnitundi vati, Mustadi, Amalakyadi, Mushkakadi, Varemadi, Aaragvadhadi, Panchakola, Shadushana, Chitrakadi leha, Shaddharana yoga, Trimada, Chi­tra kathi, Chitraka rasayana, Chitraka swarasam, Chitraka kalkam, Chitraka quatham, Chitraka himam, Chitraka phantam, Amritashatapatalaghritam, Abhayarishtah, Agnikumarorasah, Aar­ogyapanchakam, Khandasam churna, Abhayadi quatham, Agnimukham chur­nam, Ajamodadi vataka, Abhayamo­daka, Pippalyadya churna, Kshirashat­apalakam ghrita, satyadi churna and gutika, Triphalasava, Hapushadyam ghrita, Shwetakaraviradya taila, Eladi ghrita, Chitrakadi avaleha, Chavikadi ghrita, Tejovatyadi ghrita

According to Vagbhata there are three varieties of Chitraka:

1. Shweta Chitraka
2. Peeta Chitraka
3. Asita Chitraka

All parts of the plant are used but root is considered to have highest activity and forms prominent and effective herbal drug.

Root: Root and root bark are bitter, hot and dry. Root and root bark are stomachic, carminative, astringent to bowels, anthelmintic, and used to cure intestinal troubles, dysentery, leuco­derma, inflammation, piles, bronchitis, itching, disease of liver, consumption, ascites, tridosha, abortifacient, vesicant, antidiarrhoeal, appetizing, digestive, sudorific, laxative, expectorant, alexi­pharmic, thermogenic, antiatherogenic, cardiotonic, neuroprotective, nervous stimulant, diuretic, caustic, antisep­tic, febrifuge, antiperiodic, narcotic, rubefacient, aphrodisiac, alterative or restorative (rasayana). It is useful in the treatment of anasarca, piles, leprosy, anaemia, ringworm, scabies, jaundice, migraine, urinary calculi, internal ab­scesses, insanity, seminal weakness, vaginal discharge (cures menstrual dis­orders and postpartum discharge), dys­pepsia, epilepsy, hysteria, nervous and rheumatic affections, obesity, indolent ulcer, colic, cough, asthma, helminthia­sis, elephantiasis, hepatospleenomegaly, odontalgia, impotency, laryngitis.

Leaves: Leaves are used to treat infec­tions and digestive problems such as dysentery. Paste of leaves is applied to painful rheumatic areas or to chronic and itchy skin problems. They are caus­tic, vesicant, aphrodisiac.

Flowers: Digestant

Fruit: Digestant

Seed: Decoction of seed is used to reduce muscular pain.

Side Effects and Toxic Effects

Excessive use of Chitraka causes toxicity. Higher dose of Chitraka creates irritant and intoxicant effect. It causes burning of tongue, throat, stomach and all over the body. It also causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dysuria, burning micturition. Pulse becomes feeble and skin becomes wrinkled and cold. If given in pregnancy, it causes irritation of pelvic organs which leads to abortion.

Treatment for excessive doses: Discon­tinue its use and give sheeta and snigdha dravyas such as milk, ghee, butter and follow Ayurveda physician’s advice.

Uses of Chitraka as per Ayurveda

1. Fine paste of Chitraka should be con­sumed with cow’s urine in leprosy.
2. A mud pot smeared inside with ghee is given a coating (inside) with the paste of pippali (Piper longum Linn, long pep­per), pippalimula (root of long pepper), pathya (Terminalia chebula Retz), jantu­ghna (Embelia ribes Burm.f.), and Chi­traka. After the paste dries up, the pot is filled with takra (buttermilk) and kept undisturbed for a month. This is carmi­native and cures dyspnoea and cough.
3. Buttermilk or curd which is kept over­night in a pot smeared inside with paste of bark of Chitraka root is consumed for the cure of piles.
4. Roots are used with honey in obesity.
5. Root decoction is useful in anaemia.
6. Chitraka is added to milk while boil­ing it. Later curd and buttermilk is pre­pared from that milk. Such buttermilk is excellent remedy for non-bleeding piles.
7. Root paste is applied in arthritis.
8. The root paste is used as antidote for snake bite. It is used in both vegetable as well as animal poisoning.
9.  The root is used as masticating for tooth ache (odontalgia).
10. Paste of fresh root of chitrak kalkam is applied externally to filarial leg.

*The writer is an Ayurveda physician, DST Woman Scientist A, AIIMS New Delhi, and founder of Pratha Ayurveda.