Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora

• Hu Huang Lian

The dried rhizome is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiperiodic, cathartic (in large doses), cholagogue, laxative (in smaller doses), stomachic and bitter tonic^[1][2]. The root contains a number of very bitter glucosides including kutkin and picrorhizin^[2]. It also contains apocynin, which is powerfully anti-inflammatory and reduces platelet aggregation^[2]. In trials, the rhizome was shown to boost the immune system and to have a specific action against the parasie Leishmania donovani, which causes the tropical parasitic disease called leishmaniasis^[2]. The rhizome has a very beneficial effect upon the liver and digestive system and is used in the treatment of a wide range of conditions including fevers, constipation, dyspepsia and jaundice^[2]. It is also often used in the treatment of scorpion stings and snake bites^[2]. There is also some evidence that the rhizome can be of help in the treatment of bronchial asthma and a number of auto-immune diseases such as psoriasis and vitiligo^[2], whilst it has also been shown to reduce blood cholesterol levels and reduce coagulation time. The rhizome is gathered in the autumn and dried for later use^[2].