Kutki Powder (Picrorhiza Kurroa)

*The meaning of kutki originates from the word katu, which means pungent, its natural habitat in the Himalayan mountain ranges. Kutki is, in fact, a pungent and bitter herb, which is known as one of the best liver, blood, and lymphatic detoxifying herbs. Kutki is also known for its anti-oxidant properties. The unique combination of being a pungent and bitter herb makes kutki a liver and gall bladder stimulant. Hard stools are dislodged and eliminated from the colon without aggravating Pitta.

*Benefits include supporting liver health, purifying the blood, boosts metabolism, improves skin health, promotes cardiac health, maintain healthy cholesterol, supports the reproductive system, maintains normal blood sugar levels, and kidney health.

Suggested Use: 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon in powder form once or twice daily, or use as directed by your health practitioner.

Botanical Name – Picrorrhiza kurroa
Family – Scrophulariaceae
English Name – Hellebore; Picrorrhiza; Yellow gentian; Picroliv

Morphology –
Kutki is a perennial herb. Leaves are 5 to 15 cm long almost all at the base, often withered, are oval in shape coarsely toothed. Flowers are small, pale or purplish blue in color. Flowers are about 8mm, 5 lobed in the middle and with much longer stamens. Fruits are 1.3 cm long and rhizomes are 15 to 25cm long.

Physical and chemical properties of Kutki –
Taste – Bitter
Quality – Dry; Light to digest
Potency – Cold
Post digestive effect – Pungent

Bhavaprakasha – Haritakyadi Varga
कटी तु कटुका पाके तिक्ता रूक्षा हिमा लघुः |
भेदिनी दीपनी हृद्या कफपित्तज्वरापहा |
प्रमेहश्वासकासास्रदाहकुष्ठक्रिमिप्रणुत् ||१३५||