Bitterroot Restoration

Family: Acanthaceae

Synonymes: Andrographis subspathulata  C.B. Clarke

Common names: The Creat, Green chireta, Kalimegh, Nelaberu, Kariyatu, Kalmegh, Kirayat, Mahatit, etc.

Parts used: The crude drug consists of dried or fresh leaves or the aerial portions of the plant. Sometimes, the whole plant, including the roots, is used.

The drug is sometimes mixed with the genuine chirata (Swertia chirayita Karst.) but can be distinguished from the latter easily by the green colour of its stems, numerous erect, slender, opposite branches and its lanceolate, green leaves. It is also adultrated with Andrographis echioides Nees.

uses: The herb is the well-known drug kalmegh or 'green chiretta', and forms the principal ingredient of a reputed household medicine, used as a bitter tonic and febrifuge.

The herb is used as a cure for torpid liver and jaundice. It is also used as curative or preventive in snake venom poisoning.

The herb is reported to possess astringent, anodyne, tonic and alexipharmic properties and is helpful in dysentery, cholera, diabetes, consumption, influenza, bronchitis, swellings and itches, piles and gonorrhea. It is chiefly used in viral hepatitis, diminished appetite and drug induced liver damage.

A constituent of number of Ayurvedic formulations used for curing debility, chronic malaria, jaundice, anemia and loss of appetite. It is used in loss of appetite in infants and also used as a febrifuge, stomachic, tonic, alterative, anthelmintic, antispasmodic etc.