Chirata
Scientific names: Swertia chirayita, Swertia chirata, Gentiana chirata, Gentiana chirayita
Family: Gentianaceae
Alternate names: Anaryatikta, Bhunimba, Bitter Stick, Bitterstick, Chiaravata, Chiraita, Chiratitka, Chirayta, Chiretta, Chirette des Indes, Chirrato, East Indian Balmony, Genciana de la India, Indian Bolonong, Indian Gentian, Kairata, Kirata, Qasabuzzarirah, Sekhagi, Yin Du Zhang Ya Cai
Actions: Anthelmintic, Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antileishmanial, Antineoplastic, Antioxidant, Antiviral, Central nervous system (CNS), Enzyme inhibition efects, Gastrointestinal, Hepatic, Urinary
Background
Chirata (Swertia chirayita) is a plant known for its bitter taste. It's native to the Himalayan region and traditionally used as medicine.
Chirata contains chemicals that may fight some bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It might also have effects that lower blood sugar.
People use chirata for asthma, diabetes, hepatitis, upset stomach, high blood pressure, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Chirata contains chemicals that may fight some bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It might also have effects that lower blood sugar.
People use chirata for asthma, diabetes, hepatitis, upset stomach, high blood pressure, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Chirata is commonly consumed in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if chirata is safe when taken in larger amounts as medicine or what the side effects might be.
Intestinal ulcers. Chirata might make ulcers in the intestine worse.
Surgery. Chirata might lower blood sugar. This might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgical procedures. Stop using chirata as a medicine at least two weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if chirata is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Intestinal ulcers. Chirata might make ulcers in the intestine worse.
Surgery. Chirata might lower blood sugar. This might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgical procedures. Stop using chirata as a medicine at least two weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using chirata for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Dosing & administration
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of chirata might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Chirata might lower blood sugar levels. Taking chirata along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Chirata might lower blood sugar. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might lower blood sugar too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, chromium, and prickly pear cactus.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
vital.ly has licensed monographs from TRC Healthcare.
This monograph was last reviewed on 31/07/2023 10:00:00 and last updated on 28/10/2020 01:53:51. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
Natural Medicines disclaims any responsibility related to medical consequences of using any medical product. Effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this monograph is accurate at the time it was published. Consumers and medical professionals who consult this monograph are cautioned that any medical or product related decision is the sole responsibility of the consumer and/or the health care professional. A legal License Agreement sets limitations on downloading, storing, or printing content from this Database. No reproduction of this monograph or any content from this Database is permitted without written permission from the publisher. It is unlawful to download, store, or distribute content from this site.
Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
