Herb × Condition

Kutaja for Dysentery

Sanskrit: कुटज | Holarrhena antidysenterica Wall.

How Kutaja helps with Dysentery according to Ayurveda. Classical references, dosage, preparation methods, and what modern research says.

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Overview

Kutaja is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for dysentery. Kutaja (Holarrhena antidysenterica), known as Kurchi or Conessi Bark, is the foremost anti-diarrheal herb in Ayurveda. The tree grows up to 7000 feet elevation. The bark and seeds are the primary parts used. The bark contains multiple alkaloids - Conessine, Kurchine, Kurchicine, and Holarrhenine - which together make up about 2-4% of the bark content. Conessine alone constitutes 2.4-2.5% in bark. The total alkaloids including Conessine are effective against amoebic dysentery - Conessine has been demonstrated effective even against Entamoeba histolytica. Kurchi bismuth iodide preparation yields 20% bismuth and 32.45% iodine, useful for chronic amoebic dysentery. The text provides extensive pharmacological detail: the seeds are non-toxic while the bark requires careful dosing. Kutajarista and Kutaja Ghana Vati are classical preparations. The bark decoction is the main remedy for Pravahika (dysentery) and Atisara (diarrhea). It also has antipyretic and blood-purifying actions.

How Kutaja Helps with Dysentery

According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Kutaja has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing dysentery:

  • Potency (Virya): Sheeta (cold)
  • Post-digestive (Vipaka): Katu (pungent)
  • Taste (Rasa): Tikta (bitter), Kashaya (astringent)
  • Qualities (Guna): Laghu (light), Ruksha (dry)

Ayurvedic Properties

Taste (Rasa)
Bitter (Tikta), Astringent (Kashaya)
Quality (Guna)
Light (Laghu), Dry (Ruksha)
Potency (Virya)
Cold (Sheeta)
Post-digestive (Vipaka)
Pungent (Katu)
Key Constituents
Conessine (C24H40N2), Kurchine (C23H38N2), Kurchicine (C20H35ON2), Holarrhenine (C24H38ON2), Conamine, Conarrhimine, Isoconessimine
Also Known As
English: Conessi Bark, Kurchi, Tellicherry Bark
Sanskrit: कुटज, कालिंग, गिरिमल्लिका, शक्राह्व, वत्सक
Hindi: कुड़ा, कोरैया, कुटज
Classical Text References (7 sources)

vartaka (brhati), vanatiktaka (vatsaka/kutaja), karira, kulaka (kupila), nandi (jaya),kucaila, sakuladani (mesasrngi), katilla (raktapunarnava), kebuka (kembuka),kosataka, and karkasa (kampilla) all these are cold in potency, bitter in taste, pungent at the end of digestion, with hold the movement of fluids, increase vatta and mitigate kapha and pitta.

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food

Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food

Take 40 gm fine powder each of svarajjikā and yava-kshara, four varieties of salt, iron bhasma, trikatu, triphala, pippalimula, pealed seeds of vidanga, mustaka, ajamodā, devadāru, bilva, indrayava, root of chitraka, pāthā, ativishā and liquorice;

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 12: Edema Treatment (Shvayathu Chikitsa / श्वयथुचिकित्सा)

Ghrita siddhi is done adding one prastha (96 gm) of ghee to the above decoction and paste of one aksa (12 gm) each of kiratatikta, indrayava, vira, pippalī and utpala is added.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 15: Digestive Disorders Treatment (Grahani Chikitsa / ग्रहणीचिकित्सा)

Bhunimba, kutaki, trikatu, musta and indrayava are taken in equal quantity.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 15: Digestive Disorders Treatment (Grahani Chikitsa / ग्रहणीचिकित्सा)

Pippali, pippalimoola, patha, chavya, indrayava, nagara, chitraka, ativisha, hingu, svadamishthra (gokshura), katurohini and vacha are taken in one karsha (12 gm) quantity each.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 15: Digestive Disorders Treatment (Grahani Chikitsa / ग्रहणीचिकित्सा)

Triphala, kaṭabhi, chavya, pulp of bilva, powder of ayoraja (mandura), katutki, musta, kushtha, patha, hingu, madhuka, kshara of muskaka and yavakshara, trikatu, vacha, vidanga, pippalimoola, svarjikakshara, nimba, chitraka, murva, ajamoda, indrayava, guḍuchi and devadaru are taken in one karsha (12 gm) quantity and one pala each of five salts are taken.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 15: Digestive Disorders Treatment (Grahani Chikitsa / ग्रहणीचिकित्सा)

Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 12: Edema Treatment (Shvayathu Chikitsa / श्वयथुचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 15: Digestive Disorders Treatment (Grahani Chikitsa / ग्रहणीचिकित्सा)

The decoction of kutaja (Holarrhina antidysenterica) bark mixed with the powder of nagara (Zingiber officinalis) stops exudation of unctuous blood.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)

[185] Decoction of chandana (Santalum album), kiratatikta (Swetia chirayita), dhanvyavasa (Fagonia criteca) and nagara (Zingiber officinalis), and the decoction of darvi (Berberis aristata), tvak (Cinnamomum zeylinicum), agaru (Aqularia agallocha), ushira (Vetiveria zizanioidis) and nimba (Azadirecta indica) are alleviators of hemorrhoids caused by the vitiation of blood (blee¬ding hemorrhoids) [186] Bark and fruits of kutaja (Holarrhina antidysenterica) along with ativisha (Aconitum heterophylu

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)

Kutaja (Holarrhina antidysenterica) bark (100 palas) should be boiled with rain water (one drona) till the entire essence of the bark comes to water (i.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)

To this, the powders of mocharasa, (one pala), samanga (one pala) Phalini (one pala) and seeds of kutaja (Holarrhina antidysenterica) (three palas) should be added and boiled again till it becomes semi-solid and till it sticks to the stirring spoon.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)

Ghee cooked with the paste of the fruits of kutaja (Holarrhina antidysenterica), nagkeshar (Mesua ferrea), nilkamal (Nelumbo nucifera), lodhara (Symplocus racemosa) and dhataki (Woodfordia fruticosa) should be administered in bleeding hemorrhoids associated with pain.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)

Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)

The powders to add are: Rasanjana (extract of Berberis aristata), Mocharasa (Bombax ceiba gum resin), Trikatu — Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), Maricha (Piper nigrum), Pippali (Piper longum) — Triphala — Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Bibhitaka (Terminalia bellirica), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) — Lajjalu (Mimosa pudica), Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica), Patha (Cissampelos pareira), Bilva (Aegle marmelos), Indrayava (Holarrhena antidysenterica seeds), and Tvak (Cinnamomum zeylanicum).

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 8: Avalehakalpana (Confection/Electuary Preparations)

Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 8: Avalehakalpana (Confection/Electuary Preparations)

Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Kutaja (Holarrhena antidysenterica), Vasa (Adhatoda vasica), Kushmanda (Benincasa hispida), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Sahacharya, Shatapushpa (Anethum sowa), and Prasarini (Paederia foetida).

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 1: Paribhashakathana (Definitions)

That which, due to its dryness, coldness, astringent taste, and light digestive effect, increases Vata and causes stasis — that is Stambhana (astringent/binding), like Vatsaka (Holarrhena antidysenterica) bark and Kutaja.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 4: Dipana-Pachana Adikathanam (Digestive Actions etc.)

In all types of Atisara (diarrhea): the juice of leaves of large Babbula (Acacia nilotica), or the juice of bark of Shyonaka (Oroxylum indicum) and Kutaja (Holarrhena antidysenterica), eliminates all forms of diarrhea when consumed.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 1: Svarasadikalpana (Svarasa, Kalka, Kvatha, etc.)

Kutaja bark (Kutajatvak) is especially renowned in Ayurveda for its anti-dysenteric and astringent properties.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 1: Svarasadikalpana (Svarasa, Kalka, Kvatha, etc.)

For all types of Atisara (diarrhea), the freshly collected bark of Kutaja (Holarrhena antidysenterica) should be ground with rice-wash water.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 1: Svarasadikalpana (Svarasa, Kalka, Kvatha, etc.)

Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 1: Paribhashakathana (Definitions); Purva Khanda, Chapter 4: Dipana-Pachana Adikathanam (Digestive Actions etc.); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 1: Svarasadikalpana (Svarasa, Kalka, Kvatha, etc.)

For Pitta fever: a decoction prepared with Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Katuka (Picrorhiza), and Indrayava (Holarrhena seeds).

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 39: Jvarapratishedha

A medicated ghee (Ghrita) cooked with Pippali, Ativisha, Draksha, Sariva, Bilva, Chandana, Katuka, Indrayava, Ushira, Simhi, Amalaki, Ghana, Trayamana, Asthira, Dhatri, Vishva-bheshaja, and Chitraka -- when consumed, conquers irregular digestion, chronic fever, headache, abdominal tumors, splenic disease, anemia, fear, cough with burning, and flank pain.

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 39: Jvarapratishedha

The Aragvadhadi Gana consists of: aragvadha (purging cassia), madana, gopaghna, ghorataki, kutaja, patha, patala, murva, indrayava, saptaparna, nimba (neem), kurutaka, dasikurutaka, guduchi, chitraka, sharngesthi, karanja (two types), patola, kirata-tikta (chirayita), and sushavi (verse 6).

— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 38: Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs

The Pippalyadi Gana consists of: pippali (long pepper), pippali root, chavya, chitraka, shringavera (ginger), maricha (black pepper), hasti-pippali, harenuka, ela (cardamom), ajamoda, indrayava, patha, jiraka (cumin), sarshapa (mustard), mahanimbaphala, hingu (asafoetida), bhargi, madhurasa, ativisha, vacha, and vidanga, plus katurohi (verse 22).

— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 38: Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs

The Aragvadhadi Gana consists of: aragvadha (purging cassia), madana, gopaghna, ghorataki, kutaja, patha, patala, murva, indrayava, saptaparna, nimba (neem), kurutaka, dasikurutaka, guduchi, chitraka, sharngesthi, karanja (two types), patola, kirata-tikta (chirayita), and sushavi (verse 6).

— Sushruta Samhita, Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs

Source: Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 39: Jvarapratishedha; Sutra Sthana, Chapter 38: Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs; Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs

Decoctions with Kutaja, Bhumini, Nimba, Ghanayas, Yashtyahva, Chandana, combined with Pippali -- this ghee cures all diseases including Grahani, Rakta-Pitta, Kamala (jaundice), and fevers.

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 39: Jvarapratishedha

The Aragvadhadi Gana consists of: aragvadha (purging cassia), madana, gopaghna, ghorataki, kutaja, patha, patala, murva, indrayava, saptaparna, nimba (neem), kurutaka, dasikurutaka, guduchi, chitraka, sharngesthi, karanja (two types), patola, kirata-tikta (chirayita), and sushavi (verse 6).

— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 38: Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs

The Lachadi Gana consists of: lacha, revata, kutaja, ashvamaraka, katphala, two turmeric varieties, nimba, samachhada, malati, and strayamana (verse 64).

— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 38: Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs

The drugs for upward purification (emesis/vamana) are: madana, kutaja, jimuta, indravaku, dhama, argvaka, kritavedhana, sarshapa (mustard), vidanga, pippali, karanja, prapunnada, kovidara, karbuda, arishta, ashvagandha, vidula, bandhujivaka, shveta, shanapushpi, bimbi, vacha, mrigervaru, and chitra.

— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 39: Shodhanasanshmaniya Adhyaya - On Purification and Pacification

The same is the method for kutaja fruit preparations (verse 5).

— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 43: Vamana-dravya-vikalpa-vijnaniya Adhyaya - On Emetic Drug Preparations

Source: Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 39: Jvarapratishedha; Sutra Sthana, Chapter 38: Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs; Sutra Sthana, Chapter 39: Shodhanasanshmaniya Adhyaya - On Purification and Pacification; Sutra Sthana, Chapter 43: Vamana-dravya-vikalpa-vijnaniya Adhyaya - On Emetic Drug Preparations

Safety & Precautions

Contraindications: As it is a strong remedy, use for; only a short period at a time, up; to a month maximum; Contraindicated in aggravated; vata or constipation; Avoid use in pregnancy

Safety: No drug–herb interactions are known.

Other Herbs for Dysentery

See all herbs for dysentery on the Dysentery page.

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.