Chiretta ~ Swertia chirata

Chiretta

Latin name: Swertia chirata

Family: Gentianaceae

Part used: herb, collected when flower is ready to seed

Habitat: mountainous districts of northern India

Main constituents: chiratin, ophelic acid

Energetics: extremely bitter, cold

Main herbal actions: promotes secretion of bile, used at the beginning of warm febrile disease manifested as fever, headache and sore throat

Minor herbal actions: improves appetite

Main medicinal uses: dyspepsia, constipation, cough, asthma

Minor medicinal uses: dysentery

Preparations: dried plant: ½-2 g qd; infusion: 1tsp/cup water; tincture: 2-4 ml qd; solid extract

Contraindications: MAOIs

Toxicity: overdose can cause sickness

Notes: Swertia is a genus in the gentian family. It is sometimes called âœIndian gentianâ, and is used in a similar manner to European gentian.

Sources: http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/c/chiret64.html; http://tcmbasics.com/materiamedica/herba_andrographitis.htm; www.herbalgram.org/wholefoodsmarket/ herbclip/pdfs/070514-213.pdf

Module 3

Calamus  Acorus spp. (Western calamus, Chinese gramineus)  slide 9

• Part Used: Root
• Major mind and brain herb
• Promotes awareness
• Increases communication, self-expression
• Combined with gotu kola (cooling, mild) Complementary energetics