KUTAJ (Holarrhena pubescens)

Kutaj (Holarrhena pubescens) is a deciduous shrub or small tree commonly found in India and other tropical parts of Asia. It is well-known for having strong astringent, antibacterial, and anti-diarrheal effects. Kutaj has long been used to treat skin conditions, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic diarrhea, and dysentery in the Ayurvedic, Unani, and Siddha medical systems. The most often utilized medicinal elements are the seeds and bark.

Holarrhena pubescens Scientific Name

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Angiosperms
Class: Eudicots
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Holarrhena
Species: Holarrhena pubescens (Synonym: Holarrhena antidysenterica)

Holarrhena pubescens Common Name

English: Kutaj, Ivory Tree, Conessi Tree
Sanskrit: Kutaja, Kalinga, Indrayava
Hindi: Kutaj, Kuda
Gujarati: Kuda
Marathi: Kuda
Tamil: Veppalai
Telugu: Kodaga
Bengali: Kurchi
Malayalam: Kutinja

Holarrhena pubescens Uses

Digestive and Intestinal Disorders - Powerful anti-diarrheal and antidysenteric, Used in grahani (IBS) and chronic amoebic dysentery.Its bark decoction is given in diarrhea and intestinal infections.

Skin Diseases - Used in treating eczema, psoriasis, fungal infections, and boils, Has antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Anthelmintic Action - Seeds are used to eliminate intestinal worms.

Antipyretic and Anti-inflammatory - Used to manage fever and inflammatory conditions.

Blood Purifier - Improves liver function and purifies the blood.

Phytochemical Constituents

Kutaj contains several biologically active phytochemicals contributing to its medicinal properties:

Alkaloids: Conessine, Isoconessine, Holarrhenine, Holarrhinine
Steroids: Holarrhenol
Triterpenoids: Lupeol
Resins, Tannins, Flavonoids
Glycosides
Saponins

References

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Govt. of India, Part I, Vol. I, II, and III.

Nadkarni, K.M. (2002). Indian Materia Medica, Vol 1. Bombay Popular Prakashan.

Sharma, P.V. (2005). Dravyaguna Vigyan, Vol 2. Chaukhamba Bharti Academy.

Kirtikar, K.R., & Basu, B.D. (2008). Indian Medicinal Plants, Vol. 3. Lalit Mohan Basu Publications.

Chatterjee, A. & Pakrashi, S.C. (1994). The Treatise on Indian Medicinal Plants, Vol. 3, CSIR Publications.

Dwivedi, S., & Jauhari, R. (2010). “Holarrhena antidysenterica: Pharmacognostic and Pharmacological Profile.” International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research, 4(2), 39–44.

European Medicines Agency. Herbal monograph on Holarrhena pubescens bark.

Meena, H., et al. (2010). “Review on Holarrhena antidysenterica.” Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 2(3), 01–05.