Katuki कटुकी
Picrorhiza kurroa · Plantaginaceae
Also known as: Kutki, Kutaki, Kutaki
Part used: Rhizome
Katuki (Picrorhiza kurroa) is a small Himalayan herb whose bitter root is Ayurveda's principal liver drug. It is used for jaundice, hepatitis, fever and chronic skin disease. Intensely bitter, it is among the most effective classical hepatoprotectives — and is now a threatened species.
| Rasa (taste) | Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent) |
|---|---|
| Guna (qualities) | Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry) |
| Virya (potency) | Ushna (Hot) |
| Vipaka | Katu (Pungent) |
| Dosha | Balances Kapha & Vata |
| Prabhava | Classical systemic action |
Key takeaways
- Botanical name: Picrorhiza kurroa
- Part used: Rhizome
- Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata
- Typical dose: Powder 0.5–2 g with honey or warm water; a key ingredient of liver formulas.
Katuki in other languages
Introduction
Katuki (Picrorhiza kurroa), or Kutki, is a bitter Himalayan herb prized for the liver. Cooling and cleansing, it is one of Ayurveda's foremost hepatoprotective and bile-supporting dravyas, and the heart of Arogyavardhini Vati.
Classification
Of the Plantaginaceae family, Katuki is grouped among the Tikta (bitter), Bhedana (mild purgative) and liver-supporting dravyas. Its intensely bitter taste and cooling potency clear Pitta and Kapha and stimulate healthy bile flow.
Uses & benefits
Katuki is the classical liver drug: bitter, cooling and gently purgative. It is used in jaundice, sluggish liver, loss of appetite and chronic skin disease, and is a principal ingredient of Arogyavardhini Vati. It is also given in fever where the bowel is bound.
Katuki for jaundice
The classical Kamala drug. Its bitterness supports bile flow and it remains the first-choice liver herb in Indian practice.
Katuki for hepatitis
Used in inflammatory liver disease and in recovery afterwards, with reasonable modern support for its hepatoprotective action.
Katuki for fatty liver
Widely used in Indian practice for fatty liver alongside dietary change.
Katuki for fever
A Jwaraghna drug used in chronic and recurrent fever with liver involvement.
Katuki for chronic skin disease
Used in Kushta on the classical link between liver function and the skin.
Katuki as a bitter tonic
In small doses bitter taste is Deepana, so it restores appetite in convalescence.
Katuki for constipation
Mildly laxative at higher doses, one of the gentler classical purgatives.
Katuki for asthma
A secondary classical indication, used in Shwasa with bronchial congestion.
Katuki for diabetes
Named among the Pramehahara drugs, taken within compounds.
Katuki in Arogyavardhini Vati
The lead drug of the classical liver and skin formulation, one of the most-prescribed Ayurvedic tablets.
Dosage — how much to take
Powder 0.5–2 g with honey or warm water; a key ingredient of liver formulas. Follow your Vaidya's advice.
Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm with a qualified Vaidya.
Traditional uses — questions answered from the classical texts
Answers are drawn from the citations and properties recorded for this drug. No chapter-and-verse reference appears that the record does not carry.
Which classical texts describe Katuki?
The citations held for Katuki in this catalogue are: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu (Haritakyadi Varga).
What does the Bhavaprakasha Nighantu record about Katuki?
Described as bitter and liver-beneficial. Reference: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu — Haritakyadi Varga.
What is Katuki traditionally used for in Ayurveda?
Katuki is the classical liver drug: bitter, cooling and gently purgative. It is used in jaundice, sluggish liver, loss of appetite and chronic skin disease, and is a principal ingredient of Arogyavardhini Vati. It is also given in fever where the bowel is bound.
What are the Ayurvedic properties of Katuki?
Rasa Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent), Guna Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry), Virya Ushna (Hot), Vipaka Katu (Pungent). Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata. Prabhava: Classical systemic action.
Why is Katuki classified the way it is?
In dravya-guna a drug's dosha action follows from its taste, qualities, potency and post-digestive effect. Katuki carries Ushna (Hot) virya and Katu (Pungent) vipaka, which together give the recorded action: Balances Kapha & Vata.
Which part of Katuki is used medicinally?
The part used is Rhizome.
How much Katuki is taken, and how?
Powder 0.5–2 g with honey or warm water; a key ingredient of liver formulas. Follow your Vaidya's advice. Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm it with a qualified Vaidya.
When should Katuki be avoided?
Bitter and cooling; use in appropriate doses and under guidance in pregnancy.
Where does Katuki grow?
Katuki grows in the alpine Himalayas at high altitude, its rhizome harvested from the hill regions of northern India, Nepal and Bhutan.
Classical references
- Rasaratna Samuchchaya — Arogyavardhini
Principal ingredient of the classical liver formula. - Bhavaprakash Nighantu — Haritakyadi Varga
Described as bitter and liver-beneficial.
Modern research
-
Pharmacological and Clinical Efficacy of Picrorhiza kurroa and Its Secondary Metabolites: A Comprehensive Review
(see source). (2022)
A comprehensive review documenting the hepatoprotective pharmacology and clinical efficacy of Picrorhiza kurroa and its picrosides.
View study doi:10.3390/molecules27238316 -
A study of standardized extracts of Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth in experimental nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
(see source). Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine (2011)
An experimental NAFLD study reporting Picrorhiza kurroa (Katuki) extract reversed fatty infiltration of the liver and lowered hepatic lipids, outperforming silymarin at the higher dose.
View study doi:10.4103/0975-9476.72622
Safety & precautions
Bitter and cooling; use in appropriate doses and under guidance in pregnancy.
Where it grows
Katuki grows in the alpine Himalayas at high altitude, its rhizome harvested from the hill regions of northern India, Nepal and Bhutan.
Frequently asked questions
What is Katuki used for?
Katuki is Ayurveda's principal liver drug, used for jaundice, hepatitis, fatty liver, chronic fever and skin disease. It is the lead ingredient of Arogyavardhini Vati and is intensely bitter — the name itself means "bitter".
What is the dose of Katuki?
Root powder 500 mg – 2 g per day, usually with honey or warm water to make the bitterness manageable. It is a small dose by Ayurvedic standards. Higher doses become purgative.
Is Katuki good for fatty liver?
It is widely used for fatty liver in Indian practice and has supporting modern work as a hepatoprotective. It works alongside the changes that actually reverse the condition — weight loss, reduced alcohol and dietary change — rather than instead of them.
Is Kutki the same as Katuki?
Yes. Kutki is the Hindi name, Katuki the Sanskrit, both for Picrorhiza kurroa. It is also called Karvi. In English it is sometimes called hellebore, which is misleading — it is unrelated to true hellebore.
Who should avoid Katuki?
Avoid in pregnancy. Take medical advice if you have gallstones or bile-duct obstruction, since it stimulates bile flow, or if you take diabetes medication. Excessive doses cause diarrhoea and abdominal cramping.
Is Katuki endangered?
Yes. Picrorhiza kurroa is a threatened Himalayan species under heavy collection pressure and is listed as endangered. Substitution with Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora and with Swertia is widespread — check the botanical name and the source.
Can Katuki replace liver medication?
No. Liver disease needs proper diagnosis, monitoring and often specific treatment. Katuki is a well-regarded supportive drug — tell your physician you are taking it, and continue any prescribed treatment.
