CHIRATA OR GENTIANA CHIRATA
Plant introduction:
It is a kind of short and steady shrub with stem height uf 2-5 ft. Leaves, are 2/3 inch long and inch wide. Comaparatively the leaves at the lower portion of the stem are greater in size than those of the upper. Branches are oval shaped or helicoid sympodial dichotomous. Lamina is multicostate with four veins. The penducle contains many leaves; outer diameter of the flower is 1/6 th of an inch; colour-greenish yellow.
Growing place: In the temperature zone of Himalaya, at the height of 400 to 10,000 ft. It is available in all the states of India except Kashmir, Bhutan and Nepal.
Name:
In Sanskrit-Kirat Tikta; Anarya Tikta, Katuki Bhunimba
Bengali-Chirata;
Hindi-Chiryayta, nil kanta, Kirayit;
Marathi Karo kirayit or kariyayit;
Telegu-Nelanebu, Nilaghembu;
English-Chiretta Gentian;
Latin-Swertia Ham or, Gentiana Chirata. or Indian
Family: Gentianaceac.
Pharmaceutical collection: In all seasons.
Pharmacological use: Entire plant.
Chemical Composition: Alkaloid, Bitter principle. Oliec acid, Chiratin, a yellow bitter glucoside, resin, gum, carbonates, phosph of Potash, Lime, Magnesia etc.
Therapeutic actions: Bitter principle is digestive, febrifuge, appetizing, antibilious anti-neuralgic helps in secretion of biles; atonic; anthelmintic; cures skin diseases, lever troubles and is a purifying agent for mother's milk.
Opinions of different Physicians (symposium)
Chakradutta has recommended the use of this drug in haematemesis and dropsy.
Hareet: Useful in vomiting of pregnancy.
Bagabhatta-This drug is beneficient in case of fever and different skin diseases.
R. N. Khory says in "Materia Medica of India" Vol II p 413-like Cinchona and other bitter tonics it is bitter stomachic, laxative. It excites the appetite, strengthens digestion but does not constipate; it diminishes flatulence and hyper-acidity, removes biliousness, atonic dyspepsia, liver troubles, acidity of stomach, and gout. In combination with acids, alkalies and aromatics it is given in bilious affection and burning heat of the body.
Col R. N. Chopra has written the followiog about this herb in his work-Indigenous drugs of India, p 251-"Swertia Chirata has long been used by Hindu Physicians as a bitter tonic, stomachic, febrifuge and anthelmintic."
The Mohammedan physicians also used it extensively. They would apply this drug in different kind of fever, liver troubles, skin diseases etc.
The European practitioners in India have appreciated the vitility of Chireta (Dr. Watt's-Dictionary of Economic Products of India).
Chirata now has been recognised by British and United States Pharmacopoeia.
Symptomps
Mind: Indolence, tendency to lie up in the bed; spiritlessness.
Head: Very sensative to touch, headache and pain of the tempmles of head; heaviness and cool feeling; chilliness, giddiness.
Eyes: Burning sensation of the eyes just before attack of fever; radiation of heat from the eyes.
Ears: Sensation of noise in the ears; buzzing sound in the ears; dim-sightedness.
Nose: warm breath; creeping sensation in the nose; frequent and short breath during attack of fever.
Mouth: Tastelessness; bitterness, particularly during fever.
Throat: Swelling of the tonsil; difficulty in talking; pain in the throat; feels comfort after gargling with warm water.
Lungs: Dry cough pain of the chest by suppression of phlegm;
Stomach: Enlargement of the liver and spleen; stiffness and flatulence. The patient does not allow any one to touch the belly.
Stool: Pale stool with mucus; some times the colour is green.
Urine: Yellow, with burning sensation; pain in the bladder, especially in the right one some times scanty discharge of urine having a red colouration.
Limbs: Burning sensation and pain some times shooting pain; relief on press or massage; burning sensation of the palm and sole. Pleasure in cold.
Fever: Bile-fever: burning sensation of the eyes, feet and hands. There is no definite time for attack of fever; thir-stlessness; the patient is intended in drinking warm water; perspiration after 2-3 hour continuation of fever. The drug gives excellent result in Malaria, Influenza and Typhoid etc. Chilliness and haematemesis also have been marked during fever. The most important point to be noted is that burning sensation of the body must be present during attack of fever.
Dose: 5-15 minims per dose.
