Kutki
Picrorhiza kurroa
Other names: Katuka (कटुका), Kutki, kurroa, Kutki
Photo credit: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz
Safety information
Safety information
Toxicity: Mild-moderate; bitter, can cause GI upset/diarrhea; high doses not well characterized.
Contraindications: Pregnancy/lactation (insufficient data — avoid); diarrhea; caution in autoimmune conditions (immunomodulatory).
Interactions: Hepatically metabolized drugs (theoretical), immunosuppressants, antidiabetics.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Insufficient data — avoid.
Evidence level
Supported by clinical trials in humans.
Preparations
standardized extract (picroliv/kutkin) · root / rhizome
Part used: root / rhizome
Traditional use: hepatoprotective (liver/jaundice), bitter digestive, antipyretic, respiratory/allergic conditions
Proposed mechanism: Picrosides/kutkin (iridoid glycosides), as 'picroliv', show preclinical hepatoprotective, choleretic, antioxidant, immunomodulatory activity
Dosage note (descriptive only): Bitter root powder/decoction in sub-gram to low-gram amounts; clinical data limited, no evidence-based dose defined
Associated conditions
Nutritional notes
N/A; bioactives are picrosides (iridoid glycosides).
Healing traditions
Sources (4)
- Almeleebia 2022, Molecules (PMID 36500409)
- Mehta 2021, Mini Rev Med Chem (PMID 33797375)
- Raut 2023, J Ayurveda Integr Med (PMID 35659739)
- Verma 2009, Curr Pharm Biotechnol (PMID 19619118)