Kutaj
Kutaj
Kutaj is also known as Sakra and is used for therapeutic benefits. All parts of this plant (bark, leaves, seeds, flowers) are used. Kutaj possesses antibacterial, immunomodulatory, antispasmodic (manages spasms), astringent and anthelmintic (antiparasitic) properties. Kutaj is a good blood purifier and helps to manage various skin diseases. It also helps to manage diarrhea, parasitic infections, irritable bowel syndrome, bleeding piles and abdominal pain. Externally, it is good for quick wound healing[1].
What are the synonyms of Kutaj?
Wrightia antidysenterica, Dudhkuri, Kurchi, Ester tree, Conessi bark, Kuda, Kadachhal, Kudo, Kurchi, Kuraiya, Kodasige, Halagattigida, Halagatti Mara, Kogad, Kutakappala, Pandhra Kuda Kurei, Keruan, Kurasukk, Kura, Kudasapalai, Kodisapala, Palakodisa, Kurchi, Sakra
What is the source of Kutaj?
Plant Based
Benefits of Kutaj
1. Dysentery
Kutaj is useful in digestive disorders like dysentery. Dysentery is known as Pravahika in Ayurveda and is caused by vitiated Kapha and Vata doshas. In severe dysentery, inflammation of the intestine causes the appearance of mucus and blood in the stool. Taking Kutaj helps to control mucus by improving the digestive fire. This is because of its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties. It also controls blood by reducing the inflammation of the intestine due to its Sita (cold) and Kashaya (astringent) properties.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon Kutaj Powder.
b. Mix with water.
c. Have it after taking light food to control dysentery.
2. Diarrhea
Diarrhea is known as Atisar in Ayurveda. It is due to improper food, impure water, toxins, mental stress and Agnimandya (weak digestive fire). All these factors are responsible for aggravating Vata. This aggravated Vata brings fluid in the intestine from various tissues from the body and mixes with the stool. This leads to loose, watery motions or diarrhea. Kutaj helps to control diarrhea by improving the digestive fire. This is due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties. It also makes the stool thick and controls water loss due to its Grahi (absorbent) and Kashaya (astringent) properties.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon Kutaj Powder.
b. Mix with water.
c. Have it after taking light food to control diarrhea.
3. Bleeding piles
Piles are known as Arsh in Ayurveda which is caused by an unhealthy diet and a sedentary lifestyle. This leads to the impairment of all the three doshas, mainly Vata. An aggravated Vata causes a low digestive fire, leading to constipation. This causes swelling in the veins in the rectum area leading to piles mass. Sometimes bleeding can also occur in this condition. Kutaj helps to improve digestive fire because of its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties. It also controls bleeding due to its Kashaya (astringent) nature.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon Kutaj Powder.
b. Mix with water.
c. Have it after taking light food to manage bleeding piles.
Kutaj is useful in digestive disorders like dysentery. Dysentery is known as Pravahika in Ayurveda and is caused by vitiated Kapha and Vata doshas. In severe dysentery, inflammation of the intestine causes the appearance of mucus and blood in the stool. Taking Kutaj helps to control mucus by improving the digestive fire. This is because of its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties. It also controls blood by reducing the inflammation of the intestine due to its Sita (cold) and Kashaya (astringent) properties.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon Kutaj Powder.
b. Mix with water.
c. Have it after taking light food to control dysentery.
2. Diarrhea
Diarrhea is known as Atisar in Ayurveda. It is due to improper food, impure water, toxins, mental stress and Agnimandya (weak digestive fire). All these factors are responsible for aggravating Vata. This aggravated Vata brings fluid in the intestine from various tissues from the body and mixes with the stool. This leads to loose, watery motions or diarrhea. Kutaj helps to control diarrhea by improving the digestive fire. This is due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties. It also makes the stool thick and controls water loss due to its Grahi (absorbent) and Kashaya (astringent) properties.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon Kutaj Powder.
b. Mix with water.
c. Have it after taking light food to control diarrhea.
3. Bleeding piles
Piles are known as Arsh in Ayurveda which is caused by an unhealthy diet and a sedentary lifestyle. This leads to the impairment of all the three doshas, mainly Vata. An aggravated Vata causes a low digestive fire, leading to constipation. This causes swelling in the veins in the rectum area leading to piles mass. Sometimes bleeding can also occur in this condition. Kutaj helps to improve digestive fire because of its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties. It also controls bleeding due to its Kashaya (astringent) nature.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon Kutaj Powder.
b. Mix with water.
c. Have it after taking light food to manage bleeding piles.
Precautions when using Kutaj
Breastfeeding
Ayurvedic View
Avoid Kutaj or use only under medical supervision during breastfeeding.
Pregnancy
Ayurvedic View
Avoid Kutaj or use only under medical supervision during pregnancy.
Recommended Dosage of Kutaj
- Kutaj Powder - ¼- ½ teaspoon twice a day.
- Kutaj Capsule - 1-2 capsules twice a day.
How to use Kutaj
1. Kutaj Powder
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Kutaj Powder.
b. Swallow it with water preferably after meals.
2. Kutaj Capsules
a. Take 1-2 capsules of Kutaj.
b. Swallow it with water, 1-2 times a day preferably after meals.
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of Kutaj Powder.
b. Swallow it with water preferably after meals.
2. Kutaj Capsules
a. Take 1-2 capsules of Kutaj.
b. Swallow it with water, 1-2 times a day preferably after meals.
Benefits of Kutaj
1. Wound healing
Kutaj helps in quick healing of the wound, decreases swelling and brings back the normal texture of the skin. Boiled water of Kutaj helps in quick healing and reduces inflammation due to its Ropan (healing) and Sita (cold) properties.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon Kutaj powder.
b. Boil it in 2 cups of water till the volume reduces to 1/2 a cup.
c. Wash the affected area once or twice a day using this water for quick wound healing.
Kutaj helps in quick healing of the wound, decreases swelling and brings back the normal texture of the skin. Boiled water of Kutaj helps in quick healing and reduces inflammation due to its Ropan (healing) and Sita (cold) properties.
Tips:
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon Kutaj powder.
b. Boil it in 2 cups of water till the volume reduces to 1/2 a cup.
c. Wash the affected area once or twice a day using this water for quick wound healing.
Recommended Dosage of Kutaj
- Kutaj Powder - 1/4 -1/2 teaspoon or as per your requirement.
How to use Kutaj
1. Kutaj Powder
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon Kutaj powder.
b. Boil it in 2 cups of water till the volume reduces to 1/2 a cup.
c. Wash the affected area once or twice a day for quick wound healing.
a. Take 1/4-1/2 teaspoon Kutaj powder.
b. Boil it in 2 cups of water till the volume reduces to 1/2 a cup.
c. Wash the affected area once or twice a day for quick wound healing.
Frequently asked questions
Ayurvedic View
Kutaj can be used for managing the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. This is because it helps to reduce Ama which is the prime cause of rheumatoid arthritis in Ayurveda.
References
- Bhattacharyya N, Pujar NP, Chaturvedi A, et al.A clinico-analytical study on seed of Wrightia antidysenterica Linn. as a therapeutic emetic agent (Vamaka Yoga) in the management of psoriasis.Pharmacognosy Res.2016;8(1):S19–S25.
Disclaimer
The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional.