Chitrak / Chitramul / Cheeta / Wild leadwort / Doctorbush / Plumbago zeylanica (a species of plumbago with a pantropical distribution) is a herbaceous plant with glabrous stems that are climbing, prostrate, or erect. The plant grows throughout the tropical and sub-tropical climates of the world. The root/root bar is used in Ayurvedic medicine. Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica) is a powerful heating herb that is traditionally used to enkindle the digestive fire, support healthy metabolism, and remove natural toxins from the intestines
Uses:
Internal use.
- For muscle and joint pain. Protects the liver.
- The root and bark of this plant have an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.
- The plant is used in loss of appetite, poor digestion, loss of appetite, dyspepsia. Often used in combination with other medicinal herbs – it is a common ingredient in weight loss medications (helps to gain weight).
- It is a powerful Ayurvedic remedy for activating the liver and small intestine.
- It also has a stimulating, diaphoretic, carminative, anthelmintic, decongestant, and choleretic and hemostatic effect, normalizes the intestinal flora.
- Used for hemorrhoids, enlarged liver and spleen.
- It accelerates the onset of menstruation, has an abortive effect, as it stimulates the contraction of the muscles of the uterus.
- Helps with skin diseases, cough, fever.
- Improves the condition with paralysis.
- Useful for mental disorders.
- Balancing Vata and Kapha dosha.
External use.
- It has anti-inflammatory, hemostatic and antimicrobial effects for skin ailments.
- Used for leprosy, hemorrhoids, festering and bleeding wounds.
Dosage: root powder 1-3 gr
Cautions: The herb is not prescribed in pregnancy. Heavy dose may cause heavy periods. Excess use of this herb may cause gastritis, burning sensation and neuropathy.