Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Bitter (Tikta)
- Quality (Guna)
- Light (Laghu), Dry (Ruksha)
- Potency (Virya)
- Hot (Ushna)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Pungent (Katu)
- Also Known As
- English: Chichda
Sanskrit: निचुल्क, बिच्छू
Hindi: चिचड़ा, बिचड़ा
What is Chichda?
Some Ayurvedic herbs are household names. Chichda is the opposite: a little-known tree that the classical texts kept on record for a short, serious list of jobs, from skin complaints to worms to bites and stings.
Chichda is the Hindi name (also Bichda, बिचड़ा) for the tree known in Sanskrit as Nichulka (निचुल्क). Its botanical name is Casearia tomentosa Roxb. Another Sanskrit synonym recorded for it is Bichchhu (बिच्छू), a word that also means scorpion, which fits its traditional use against scorpion stings.
The parts used are the bark and the leaves. The Bhavaprakash Nighantu (Varga 3) describes the bark as an anti-poison (Vishaghna) used in snake bite and scorpion sting, and the leaves and bark as remedies applied externally for skin ailments and taken internally against worms.
In taste it is bitter (Tikta), and its potency is hot (Ushna Virya).
Benefits of Chichda
Chichda's classical profile is compact. The Bhavaprakash Nighantu (Varga 3) gives it three actions, and each is grounded in its qualities: bitter in taste (Tikta), light (Laghu) and dry (Ruksha), hot in potency (Ushna Virya), and pungent after digestion (Katu Vipaka).
Skin Health
Chichda is listed as alleviating skin diseases (Kushthaghna). Kushtha is the broad classical term for chronic skin disorders. Its leaves and bark are applied externally for skin ailments, which links it to our page on skin disorders.
Bitter, light and dry herbs are the classic Ayurvedic choice for skin conditions, which is the reasoning behind this use.
Intestinal Worms
The herb is also anthelmintic (Krimighna), meaning it acts against worms. Here the leaves and bark are used internally. This connects Chichda to the Ayurvedic category of parasites and worms (Krimi).
Bites and Stings
Classically the bark is an antidote to poisons (Vishaghna), used in snake bite and scorpion sting. This is a historical record of how the tree was used, not a modern first-aid instruction. A snake bite or serious sting is a medical emergency that needs immediate professional care.
How to Use Chichda
Our sources record which parts of Chichda are used and how, but they do not give doses. That gap matters, so the table below shows only what is documented.
| Form | Dose | Best For | When to Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leaves and bark, applied externally | Not recorded in our sources | Skin ailments | As directed by a qualified practitioner |
| Leaves and bark, taken internally | Not recorded in our sources | Worms | As directed by a qualified practitioner |
| Bark | Not recorded in our sources | Classical use in snake bite and scorpion sting | Historical use only; seek emergency care |
No preferred vehicle (anupana), seasonal guidance or standard product forms are recorded for Chichda. Because there is no documented dose, any internal use should be decided and prepared by a trained Ayurvedic practitioner.
Safety & Side Effects
Chichda is a little-documented herb, and our sources do not give a safe dose. That alone is a strong reason not to experiment with it on your own, especially internally.
Never use it in place of emergency care
The classical texts describe the bark as an anti-poison used in snake bite and scorpion sting. Please treat that as history. If you or someone near you is bitten by a snake or badly stung, get emergency medical help immediately. Do not delay treatment to try a herbal remedy.
What we know
- It is bitter, light, dry and hot in potency, with a pungent post-digestive effect.
- The bark and leaves are used externally for skin and internally for worms.
What we do not know
Our sources list no contraindications, drug interactions, overdose signs or pregnancy and nursing data. Missing information is not evidence of safety.
Practical cautions
- Do not take Chichda internally without a qualified practitioner's guidance.
- Avoid it in pregnancy, while nursing and in children unless professionally advised.
- For external use, stop if the skin becomes irritated, and get persistent skin problems checked by a doctor.
Recommended: Start Here
With Chichda, the best first step is to talk to a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner. Our sources record its uses but not a dose, and that is not something to guess at.
If your interest is skin, a practitioner can tell you whether an external preparation of the leaves or bark suits you. If it is worms, they can weigh Chichda against better-documented options such as Vidanga. Our pages on skin disorders and parasites and worms are a good place to read up first.
If you want to see what is available, search for the herb by its botanical or common name and read labels closely, including how each product is meant to be used.
Find Chichda (Casearia tomentosa) on Amazon ↗ Vidanga Powder ↗
Safety note: no safe dose is recorded for Chichda, so avoid internal use without a practitioner, avoid it in pregnancy and in children, and never use it instead of emergency care for a snake bite or sting.
Chichda vs Other Herbs & Supplements
Chichda is a niche herb, so most people meet it alongside better-known plants with similar uses. The verdicts below draw only on what our sources record for each herb.
| Comparison | Chichda | Alternative | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chichda vs Vidanga | Anthelmintic (Krimighna) using leaves and bark; no dose recorded. | Described as the prime anthelmintic herb, especially against tapeworms, at 4 to 8 g with honey or buttermilk. | For worms, Vidanga is the classical first choice and far better documented. |
| Chichda vs Khadira | Bitter, light, dry; leaves and bark applied externally for skin ailments. | The classic skin-disease tree (Kushthaghna), a bitter, astringent heartwood also used for worms and bleeding gums, with recorded doses. | For stubborn skin complaints, Khadira is the more established herb. Chichda is a lesser-known option. |
| Chichda vs Turmeric | Bitter and hot; specialist uses for skin, worms and bites. | Bitter, astringent and hot; taken at 1 to 3 g with warm milk to calm the skin and kindle digestion. | Turmeric is the everyday, widely available choice. Chichda is for practitioner-guided use only. |
| Chichda vs Apamarga | Light, dry and hot, pungent after digestion. | Also light, dry and hot, pungent after digestion; best known as an alkaline ash (Kshara) for urinary stones, hemorrhoids and worms. | Similar qualities, different specialties. Let the condition and a practitioner decide. |
Chichda for Specific Populations
Our sources give no population-specific guidance for Chichda, and no recorded dose for anyone. The advice below is therefore deliberately cautious.
Pregnancy & Nursing
There is no safety data for pregnancy or nursing. Avoid Chichda in any form unless a qualified practitioner who knows your situation specifically recommends it.
Children
Without a documented dose, it is not appropriate to give Chichda to children. Worms in children should be assessed and treated under professional supervision.
Elderly
No specific adjustments are recorded. Older adults should use it only with a practitioner's guidance, particularly if they take other medicines.
Athletes
Nothing in our sources links Chichda to performance or recovery, so there is no reason to use it for that purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chichda called in Sanskrit?
Its Sanskrit name is Nichulka (निचुल्क). Another recorded synonym is Bichchhu (बिच्छू), and in Hindi it is called Chichda or Bichda. Botanically it is Casearia tomentosa Roxb.
Can Chichda treat a snake bite?
The Bhavaprakash Nighantu records its bark as an anti-poison (Vishaghna) for snake bite and scorpion sting. That is a historical use, not a substitute for treatment. Any snake bite or serious sting needs emergency medical care straight away.
Which parts of the tree are used?
The bark and the leaves. They are applied externally for skin ailments and taken internally against worms, with the bark also used classically for bites and stings.
How much Chichda should I take?
Our sources do not record a dose. Because of that, we cannot recommend an amount, and internal use should only happen under a qualified practitioner's guidance.
Is Chichda heating or cooling?
It is heating. Its potency is hot (Ushna Virya), its taste is bitter, and its qualities are light and dry.
How to Use Chichda by Condition
Explore how Chichda is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.