Kurchi – Uses, Benefits, Medicinal Qualities, Side Effects

Kurchi – Uses, Benefits, Medicinal Qualities, Side Effects of Kutaja/ Holarrhena Antidysenterica

Introduction

The world is full of 250,000 tall plants and 80,000 species among these are rich in medicinal properties. The use of these medicinal plants of the world is based on folklore. One such excellent herbal medicinal plant is Kurchi / Holarrhena Antidysenterica. This plant has traditionally been used in the treatment of various ailments since ancient times.

What is Kurchi/ Kutaja?

Kurchi is one of the best medicinal herbs. This is a deciduous plant. This plant belongs to the genus ‘W. antidysenterica’ and to the family ‘Apocynaceae’. This medicinal plant species is found in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and Africa. Kutaja plants are found in abundance in India, especially in the Himalayas. These are found in almost all parts of Assam. The use of this plant has been mentioned in traditional Ayurvedic writings and in many folk-tales. Kutaja plants are of great economic importance.

Kurchi
Kurchi

This medicinal plant variety is exported in large quantities. During the Nabanna festival in the Indian state of Orissa, people offer the leaves of this plant with rice. In the districts of Mirzapur and Baranasi in Uttar Pradesh, Holarrhena Antidysenterica is used for gastric problems. All the tribes of Nallamala district of Andhra Pradesh use the bark of the stem of the Kurchi plant for skin diseases. All the major tribes of Assam use this plant as a traditional medicine.

Appearance

Kurchi is a deciduous, medium bushy plant. The plant can grow up to a height of about 30 ft to 40 ft. It contains Latex (a milky substance). The leaves are 8-25 cm long and 3-10 cm wide, simple, large, oblong, oppositely arranged, oval shaped and smooth and hairy. The bark of the stems of this plant is rough and grayish brown in color. The flowers are small, white in color. The petals are shaped like a shell. The fruits are 20-40 cm long and 1 cm wide, with small bracts. The juice of the Kurchi plant is bitter in taste.

Medicinal Qualities

Kurchi Plant is one of the most important herbal remedies of Unani medicine and Ayurvedic medicine system. This herbal plant has been used to treat various infectious diseases, especially Staphylococcus aureus, Endamoebahistolytic and Eseherichiacoli.  Seeds of these plants are mainly used as an antidote for diabetes. Holarrhena Antidysenterica is a part of any medicine used in the treatment of dysentery and diarrhea. In many diseases like- anemia, epilepsy, cholera; many tribes of India use this herbal plant. In Ayurveda and Unani medicine, this herbal medicine is used for anti-helminthic, diarrhea and skin diseases.

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Economic importance

The United States of America is the largest buyer of Kutaja, valued at 16,440 US Dollar and followed by Canada and Singapore, which valued at 961 US Dollar in 2014-2016, respectively. During this period, India exported 3382 US dollars worth of Kurchi.

Medical Properties of Kurchi/Kutaja
  • Antidysenteric
  • Antidiarrheal
  • Antibacterial
  • Anthelmintic
  • Detoxifiers
  • Astringent
  • Anti-haemorrhoid
  • Antiamoebic
  • Haemostatic
  • Blood purifier
Chemical Elements in Holarrhena Antidysenterica
  • Coumarin
  • Ergosterol
  • Flavonoids
  • Phenolic acids
  • Resins
  • Saponins
  • Tannins
  • Triterpenoids
Various Lingual Names of Kurchi
  • Sanskrit : Kutaja, Girimallikaa, kaaljanga, Kalingaka, Indira Vriksha, Shakra vatsa, Vatsaka 
  • English : Kurchi, Conessi tree, Conessi bark 
  • Hindi : Kud, Kudaiya
  • Punjabi : Kenara
  • Telugu : Kodisepala, Kodaga
  • Tamil : Veppalai 
  • Bengali : Korachi, Kurachi
  • Marathi : kuda
  • Gujarati : Kudo 
  • Kannada : Korachi 
  • Malayalam : Kodagapala
  • Odia : kurei, karuah
  • Assamese: Kutaj Dhu
Scientific Classification of Holarrhena Antidysenterica
  • Kingdom : Plantae
  • Clade : Tracheophytes
  • Clade : Angiosperms
  • Clade : Eudicots
  • Clade :  Asterids
  • Order : Gentianales 
  • Family : Apocynaceae
  • Genus : Wrightia 
  • Species : W. Antidysenterica
  • Scientific name : Wrightia Antidysenterica

Benefits of Kurchi / Holarrhena Antidysenterica

1. Anti-diarrheal Properties:

Conessi tree has antidysenteric, anti-diarrheal and anti-amoebic properties. In Ayurveda, it is used to treat amoebic dysentery and diarrhea. The seeds and bark of this plant are used for medicinal purposes. Both Conessi tree seeds and bark have antibacterial and antidiarrheal effects.

2. Kidney stones:

Kurchi plant has antiurolithic action and benefits in case of kidney stone. This may prevent calcium oxalate crystals from accumulating in the kidneys. Kutaja can play a role in the prevention and treatment of kidney stones.

Uses – Kurchi seeds are used to relieve kidney stones. Holarrhena Antidysenterica seed powder (1.5 gm) mixed with butter milk to remove stones.

3. Difficulty While Urinating:

The bark of the root of the Kurchi tree is useful for the treatment of complications such as inflammation and pain while urinating to relieve the problem. 

4. Excessive uterine bleeding:

The hemostatic action of Conessi tree helps to reduce uterine bleeding. However, in this case, it is not used alone. Ayurvedic formulations of it like Kutaja are more useful.

5. Abdominal charms or pain:

Kurchi is an herbal remedy for the treatment of stomach cramps and pain. Its seeds are used to treat stomach cramps and pain.

6. Bleeding Piles:

Haemostatic action of the bark of Holarrhena Antidysenterica reduces the bleeding of Haemorrhoids.

Usage – Decoction prepared using 10 gm of Kutaja bark in 240 ml of water and 60 ml of AltaVista Churna (Aconitum Heaterphyllum (500mg)) should be taken twice a day for 3-6 days.

7. Intestinal worms:

Of course, Kurchi is not only used for the treatment of worm infections, but with other anthelmintic remedies, it provides excellent treatment for intestinal worms.

8. Jaundice:

To normalize the bilirubin level and stimulate liver function, the juice of the fresh leaves of Kutaj Dudhakari is given on an empty stomach for 3-7 days. This is an excellent treatment for jaundice for any underlying cause.  The plant has hepato-protective properties and thus is able to cure jaundice.

9. Beneficial for Diabetes:

Kurchi has been shown to have benefits for diabetes. Consumption of Holarrhena Antidysenterica can significantly lower blood sugar levels, Serum cholesterol, Triglyceride, Aspartate transaminase, Alanine transaminase, Alkaline transferors, Urea, Creatinine and Uric acid.

Kurchi is generally resistant to carbohydrate absorption. High levels of curcumin have anti-P and hyperlipidaemia functions. It also helps in reducing glycosylated hemoglobin, which is beneficial for all patients with type-2 diabetes (D2D).

Other Benefits of Kurchi/Holarrhena Antidysenterica

  • Fresh leaves of Kurchi are used for tooth decay.
  • Psoriasis and other skin problems are treated with Conessi tree.
  • Kurchi is also effective in relieving toxins and thirst in the body.
  • Kurchi has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, it can remove bacteria from the body and keep the body strong.
  • The leaves and stems of Holarrhena Antidysenterica are used to cure fever.
  • A study has shown that Holarrhena Antidysenterica can be effective in treating malaria.
  • Holarrhena Antidysenterica stimulates the immune system and strengthens the cells of the body. Helps to repair injured cells.

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Although Kurchi Plant is useful for curing various ailments, this herb should be used as per the doctor's advice.

How to use Kurchi /Holarrhena Antidysenterica

The bark, leaves, stems, stalks, seeds, flowers etc. of the plant are used as medicine. Holarrhena Antidysenterica can be used in different ways to cure various ailments like plant leaf juice, powder, leaf paste, flower juice, root juice, decoction, infusion etc. Ayurvedic medicines made from Kurchi can also be used to treat a variety of ailments.

Side Effects of Kurchi/Holarrhena Antidysenterica

  • Some people may experience nausea or vomiting due to the bitter taste of Holarrhena Antidysenterica.
  • Do not consume it if the person is allergic to its taste.
  • Insomnia is another side effect of Kurchi.
  • High consumption of this herbal plant may cause anxiety.
  • It should be avoided by all patients with liver and kidney problems.

Any medicinal plant should be used in the right amount as excessive use of any medicinal plant can harm our health in some cases. Therefore, considering the benefits of Holarrhena Antidysenterica plant, it should be used in the right amount in the field of treatment and a doctor should be consulted before using it.

Conclusion

The above article provided you a basic knowledge of Kurchi herb discussing the uses, chemical elements, different linguistic names, disadvantages, and other benefits of Kurchi. We hope that the information contained in this article will help you in various ways. Thank You!

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