Chirata (Chirayata)
Swertia chirayita
Safety information
Safety information
Toxicity: Low at studied doses; intensely bitter.
Contraindications: Pregnancy (insufficient data — caution); peptic ulcer/hyperacidity (strong bitter can stimulate acid); diabetics on hypoglycemics (additive).
Interactions: Antidiabetics (additive hypoglycemia); theoretical additive with antimalarials.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Pregnancy: insufficient data — caution.
Evidence level
Supported by laboratory or animal studies; not yet confirmed in humans.
Preparations
decoction · whole plant
Part used: whole plant
powder · whole plant
Part used: whole plant
infusion (bitter) · whole herb
Part used: whole herb
powder · whole herb
Part used: whole herb
pill · whole herb
Part used: whole herb
cold infusion · whole plant
Part used: whole plant
Traditional use: fever (incl. malaria), liver disorders, diabetes, indigestion, skin
Proposed mechanism: secoiridoid glycosides (amarogentin, swertiamarin, sweroside), xanthones (mangiferin, swerchirin), alkaloid gentianine — antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antipyretic, antimalarial
decoction · whole herb
Part used: whole herb
Traditional use: intensely bitter bile/heat-clearing; hepatitis-type liver and gallbladder heat, jaundice, fever, digestive/bile disorders; benchmark bitter tonic
Proposed mechanism: secoiridoid glycosides (swertiamarin, amarogentin, sweroside), xanthones (mangiferin, swerchirin), flavonoids — hepatoprotective/choleretic, anti-inflammatory, glucose-lowering
Associated conditions
Nutritional notes
Not a food source.
Healing traditions
Sources (4)
- Li et al. 2018, Front Pharmacol (PMID 29441019)
- Chi et al. 2021, Plants (Basel) (PMID 34834747)
- Kumar 2022, J Ethnopharmacol (PMID 36113678)
- Yang et al. 2025, Cells (PMID 40801607)