Rasa (Taste)
Tikta
The primary taste perceived on the tongue.
Kutaki (Hellebore)
Kutki is a small, hairy, perennial herb.
Medicinal Plant
Kutaki (Hellebore)
Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. · Scrophulariaceae
Kutki is a small, hairy, perennial herb.
Scientific Name
Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth.
Family
Scrophulariaceae
Hindi Name
Kutki
Used Part
Kanda (Rhizome)
Botanical Description
About the Kutaki Plant
Morphology and field-identification notes as documented in our Dravyaguna library.
Kutki is a small, hairy, perennial herb. Leaves arranged in a rosette at the base, alternate and measuring 5 to 15 cm in length. They are typically oval, oblanceolate or spathulate, with coarsely serrated margins and a narrowed, winged stalk. Rhizome is cylindrical, straight or slightly curved, 2.5 to 12 cm long. Flowers are Bisexual, pale or purplish-blue flowers born on long, dense terminal spikes. The fruit is an ovoid or spherical capsule about 6 to 13 mm in size.
Ayurvedic Properties
Rasa Panchaka — Classical Properties
The five-fold framework Ayurveda uses to describe a drug — Rasa, Guna, Vipaka, Veerya and its effect on the doshas.
Guna (Qualities)
Laghu, Ruksha
Physical and energetic attributes of the dravya.
Vipaka (Post-digestive Effect)
Katu
Taste that emerges after complete digestion.
Dosha Karma (Action on Doshas)
Pittakaphashamaka
Effect on Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas.
Veerya (Potency)
Sheeta
Heating (ushna) or cooling (sheeta) energy.
Ayurvedic Actions (Karma)
Bhedan, Deepan, Jwarghna, Pramehahara, Kushthaghna, Krimighna, Arshoghna, Hridhya.
Modern Phytochemistry
Chemistry & Pharmacology
How modern science maps onto the classical understanding of this dravya.
Pharmacological Action
What the Science Says
Liver Stimulant, Cholagogue, Purgative, Antihelmintic, Expectorant
Phytoconstituents
Active Compounds
Picroside I & Picroside II, Kutkoside, Kutkin.
Therapeutic Usage
Clinical Applications of Kutaki
Classical Ayurvedic indications drawn directly from the Dravyaguna tradition — paired with the preparations recommended in shastra.
01
Katuki churna mixed with honey or warm water to treat digestive or liver ailments.
02
The roots are boiled in water to create a healing liquid used to treat fevers, respiratory issues and even as an oral gargle for mouth ulcers (stomatitis).
03
Decoction prepared from kutaki is useful in purifying breast milk.
04
In pittaj hridaya rog the kalk prepared from kutaki and mulethi is taken with sugar water.
05
Applied topically (usually as a powder mixed with carrier oils or rose water), Kutki helps heal wounds, burns, and cuts.
Always consult a qualified Ayurvedic physician before using any herb therapeutically. Dose, anupana and Prakriti-specific suitability matter.
Yoga / Kalpana
Classical Formulations
Common Ayurvedic preparations where Kutaki is a key ingredient.
- Arogyavardhani Vati, Katukadi Kashaya, Katurohini Churna
Shastra Pramana
Classical Reference
"कcवी तु कटुका पाके तिक्ता रूक्षा हिमा लघुः । भेदिनी दीपनी हृह्या कफपित्तज्वरापहा । प्रमेहश्वासकासास्त्रदाहकुष्ठकृमिप्रणुत् ।।" (भा.प्र. हरीतक्यादिवर्ग 152)