Chitraka

Botanical Name

Plumbago Zeylanica

Family

Plumbaginaceae

Sanskrit:

Agni, Agnisikha, Chitra, Jyothi

English

–

Hindi

Chitra, Chitawar, Seetrok

Kannada

Chitramoola, Vahni, Mulika

Malayalam

–

Telugu

Agnimatha, Chitramulam

Tamil

Akkini, Kodiveli

Marathi

Chitraka

Distribution:

Tropical and subtropical regions of india,wild in peninsular india,west bengal

Parts Used:

Root

Dose:

1-2gm

Chemical Constituents

Napthoqunone, plumbagin, zeylinone

Ayurvedic Properties:

Quality (Guna)

Laghu, Ruksa,Tiksna

Taste (Rasa)

Katu

Metabolism (Vipaka)

Katu

Potency (Virya)

Ushna

Impact (Prabhava)

Deepana

Pharmacological Action:

  • Antipyretic,- it is used in chronic fevers
  • Hepatoprotective- good appetizer,increases the functions of liver
  • Appetizer
  • It is having wound healing property
  • It lowers cholesterol levels
  • Strenthens immunity

Therapeutic Uses

Dyspepsia, chornic cold, voice enhancer

Some of the common formulations

  • Agnitundi vati
  • Arogyavardini gulika
  • Mahayogaraja guggulu
  • Navayasa choorna