Chirayata — East Indian Balmony

Ayurvedic herb Chirayata (Swertia chirayita) — East Indian Balmony. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Tikta, Virya Sheeta, Vipaka Katu. Balances Pitta, Kapha.

Ayurvedic Herbs A–Z 1 min read
This content is for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional.

Swertia chirata is an extremely bitter herb used for chronic fevers, liver disorders, and skin diseases.

ⓘ Information
PropertyValueDescription
RasaTiktaTikta (Bitter) — detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic
GunaLaghu, RukshaLaghu (Light) — easy to digest, promotes lightness; Ruksha (Dry) — absorbs moisture, drying
ViryaSheetaSheeta (Cold) — cooling, decreases Pitta and inflammation
VipakaKatuKatu (Pungent) — post-digestive pungent, lightening
PrabhavaJwaraghna, Yakrituttejaka, KrimighnaJwaraghna — antipyretic, reduces fever; Yakrituttejaka — liver stimulant; Krimighna — anti-parasitic, destroys worms

Sanskrit Synonyms

In the classical Ayurvedic texts, Chirayata is known by the following Sanskrit names:

Kiratatikta, Anaryatikta, Bhunimba, Kairata

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Chirayata are: panchanga.

Main Indications

Chirayata is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Jwara, Vishamajwara, Kamala, Kushta, Krimi.

Dosha Effects

Chirayata pacifies Pitta, Kapha.

It may aggravate Vata when used in excess or in sensitive individuals.

Usage

Chirayata is used in classical Ayurvedic formulations. Consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner for appropriate dosage and preparation based on your constitution (Prakriti) and current imbalance (Vikriti).

Therapeutic Uses (IMPPAT Database)

Source: Indian Medicinal Plants, Phytochemistry And Therapeutics (IMPPAT) v1.0 — CC BY 4.0

Part UsedTherapeutic UseIdentifiersReferences
whole plantAnthelminticsMESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0ISBN:9788172363093
whole plantAntifungal agentsMESH:D000935,UMLS:C0003308, ICD-11:XM83G4ISBN:9788172363093
whole plantAnti-infective agentsMESH:D000890,UMLS:C0003204, ICD-11:XM4TV0ISBN:9788172363093
whole plantAnti-infective agents, localMESH:D000891,UMLS:C0003205, ICD-11:XM4VG4ISBN:9788172363093
whole plantAntipyreticsMESH:D058633,UMLS:C0003419, ICD-11:XM1RS7ISBN:9788172363093
whole plantAppetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447ISBN:9788172363093
whole plantDiarrheaMESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1ISBN:9788172363093
whole plantLaxativesMESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3ISBN:9788172363093
whole plantMalariaMESH:D008288,UMLS:C0024530, DOID:12365, ICD-11:1F4ZISBN:9788172363093
whole plantMicrofilariaeMESH:D008842,UMLS:C0025980ISBN:9788172363093
whole plantNervous system diseasesMESH:D009422,UMLS:C0027765, DOID:863, ICD-11:8E7ZISBN:9788172363093
AnthelminticsMESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0ISBN:9788172361150
Anti-inflammatory agentsMESH:D000893,UMLS:C0003209, ICD-11:XM7XD1ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172363093
AntipyreticsMESH:D058633,UMLS:C0003419, ICD-11:XM1RS7ISBN:9788173717062
Appetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361150
ArthritisMESH:D001168,UMLS:C0003864, DOID:848, ICD-11:FA2ZISBN:9788172363093
AsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361150
AstringentsMESH:D001252,UMLS:C0004110, ICD-11:XM0VK6ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361150
BronchitisMESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717062
CoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788173717062
Depressive disorderMESH:D003866,UMLS:C0011581, ICD-11:6A7ZISBN:9788172361150
Diabetes mellitusMESH:D003920,UMLS:C0011849, DOID:9351, ICD-11:5A14ISBN:9788172363093
DiarrheaMESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1ISBN:9788172361150
DyspepsiaMESH:D004415,UMLS:C0013395, ICD-11:DD90.3ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788173717062
EdemaMESH:D004487,UMLS:C0013604, ICD-11:MG29.1ISBN:9788172361150
FeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:9788173717062
GoutMESH:D006073,UMLS:C0018099, DOID:13189, ICD-11:FA25ISBN:9788171360536
HemorrhageMESH:D006470,UMLS:C0019080, ICD-11:MG27ISBN:9788172361150
Hypoglycemic agentsMESH:D007004,UMLS:C0020616ISBN:9788172363093
HypohidrosisMESH:D007007,UMLS:C0020620, DOID:11155, ICD-11:EE01.ZISBN:9788173717062
InflammationMESH:D007249,UMLS:C0021368ISBN:9788173717062
LaxativesMESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3ISBN:9788172361150
Liver diseasesMESH:D008107,UMLS:C0023895, DOID:409, ICD-11:SA0ZISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361150
MalariaMESH:D008288,UMLS:C0024530, DOID:12365, ICD-11:1F4ZISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788172363093
PainMESH:D010146,UMLS:C0030193, ICD-11:MG3ZISBN:9788173717062
General tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016ISBN:9788172361150
SciaticaMESH:D012585,UMLS:C0036396, ICD-11:ME84.3ISBN:9788172361150
Skin diseasesMESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0ZISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361150, ISBN:9788173717062
Stomach diseasesMESH:D013272,UMLS:C0038354, DOID:76, ICD-11:DA4YISBN:9788173717062
ThirstMESH:D013894ISBN:9788173717062
AntiperiodicISBN:9788173717062