KUTAJ
Botanical name:- Holorrhena antidysenterica Linn.
Family:- Apocynaceae
Common Names:-
English:- Tellicherry Bark
Hindi:- Kutaj
Sanskrit :- Kutaj, Vatsak
Parts used:- Bark, Seeds
Distribution:-
The plant is distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world and in India, it is distributed over altitudes of up to 4000 ft and is also found in the dry forest
Active Components:-
The phytochemicals present in the plant include Coumarins, Ergosterol, Flavonoids, Phenolic acids, Resins, Saponins, Steroidal alkaloids, Tannins, Triterpenoids. Around 30 steroidal alkaloids have been isolated from Kutaj mostly from the stem Bark, these include Kurchinine, Kurchinine, Kurchinidine, Holarrifine, Holadiene, Regholarrhenines, Pubescine, Norholadiene, Pubescimine, Kurchilidine, Kurchamide, Kurcholessine, Kurchessine, Conessine, Conessimine and Isoconessimin. The seeds were also reported to possess Steroidal-type Alkaloids. An enzyme Serine protease was also isolated from kurchi seeds.
Uses:-
In Diarrhoea & Dysentry-
It is a prominent antimicrobial agent hence used in Diarrhoea & dysentery. Kutaj helps to control diarrhea by improving the digestive fire. It also makes the stool thick and controls water loss due to its absorbent and astringent properties. In severe dysentery, inflammation of the intestine causes the appearance of mucus and blood in the stool. Consuming Kutaj helps to control mucus by improving the digestive fire. This is because of its appetizing and digestive properties. It also controls blood by reducing the inflammation of the intestine due to its cold and astringent properties
Anti-diabetic activity:-
Aqueous & Alcoholic extracts scientifically prove to possess anti-diabetic activity. Fruit extracts also showed Hypoglycemic activity
The hypoglycemic property of Kutaja plays a significant role in alleviating the blood sugar levels of the body. The production of Insulin from the pancreatic beta cells becomes active on consumption of kutaja. It helps to reduce the breakdown of starch into glucose which in turn leads to low blood glucose levels.
Promotes Digestion:-
Being a potent digestive, it stimulates the secretion of digestive juices thereby increasing the absorption of essential nutrients and enhancing digestion. It possess anti-bacterial & anti-helminthic properties which are highly beneficial for treating & excavating intestinal worms
Astringent properties:-
Kutaj is beneficial in bleeding disorders especially in the case of bleeding piles. Due to its astringent property, it heals bleeding piles by constricting the blood vessels in the anal & rectal area. Piles may lead to pain, irritation & sometimes excessive bleeding but Kutaj’s astringent, healing & cold properties provide a cooling effect on the affected area. It also helps to reduce symptoms associated with bleeding piles & also prevents its reoccurrence.
Promotes wound healing:-
Kutaj contains certain constituents that promote faster wound healing specially Kutaj leaves in paste form when applied locally helps in contraction & closure of the wound, thereby promoting early wound healing.
