Last verified: April 2026

Kutki

कुटकी -- Kutki -- "bitter; small bitter one"

Kutki is the most potent classical Pittahara herb specifically documented for liver conditions. Charaka Samhita places Kutki in the Tikta (bitter) group and documents it as the primary herb for Kamala (jaundice), Yakritvikar (liver disease), and Pitta-type fever. Modern pharmacological research has isolated Picroliv -- the standardised extract -- as one of the most well-studied Ayurvedic hepatoprotective compounds.

Important noticeThis page documents what classical texts record. Not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner. Full disclaimer

Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana 4.9

Tiktam katurasam... kutki Kamalaghni -- Kutki is bitter-pungent, cold in potency, and specifically documented as Kamalaghni (destroyer of Kamala/jaundice). It is the primary herb for Pitta-type liver conditions and the most potent liver-protecting herb in the classical materia medica.

Classical documentation

Bhavaprakasha Nighantu documents Kutki's primary properties: Tikta Rasa (bitter), Sheeta Virya (cold potency), Katu Vipaka, and primary actions of Pittahara (Pitta-reducing), Kaphahara, Deepana (Agni-kindling), and Krimighna (antimicrobial). The combination of Sheeta Virya (reducing excess heat) and Deepana (kindling digestive fire) is pharmacologically unusual and reflects Kutki's specific action on Pachaka Pitta (digestive Pitta) -- reducing its excess while maintaining its functional fire.

Classical indications documented across Charaka Samhita and Ashtanga Hridayam: Kamala (jaundice, both Kumbha and Kosha types), Yakritvikar (liver disease and hepatomegaly), Pittaja Jwara (Pitta-type fever), Shwasa (asthma), Kushtha (Pitta-type skin conditions), and Krimiroga (parasitic conditions).

Picroliv -- modern pharmacology

Picroliv, the standardised iridoid glycoside fraction of Picrorhiza kurroa (containing picroside I and kutkoside), has been documented in multiple clinical trials for hepatoprotective effects. Research published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology and Clinical Biochemistry documents hepatic enzyme normalisation, antifibrotic effects, and immunomodulatory action. The Hepatology Research journal has published comparative studies with silymarin (milk thistle) showing similar hepatoprotective efficacy -- consistent with the classical documentation of Kutki as the primary liver herb.

Habitat and conservation

Kutki grows in the Himalayan alpine zone (3,500--4,500m). Overharvesting has placed it on the Schedule VI of the Wildlife Protection Act (India) and on the CITES Appendix II list. Genuine wild-harvested Kutki is increasingly rare. Cultivated Picrorhiza from certified farms is the API-compliant source for quality preparations. Always purchase from licensed manufacturers using cultivated material with API-compliant Picroliv content testing.