Psoriasis, Diabetes treated with TCM picrorhiza kurroa

What is picrorhiza kurroa(Hu Huang Lian)?
At the mention of this herb, it makes sense to first talk about Hu Huang Lian herb, which mainly refers to the dried rhizomes of Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora Pennell or Picrorhiza kurroa Royle. As you can see, this article focuses on the latter only. As a result, its other common names also include Katki, Xi Zang Hu Huang Lian, Picrorhizae Rhizome, Katuki, Rhizoma Picrorhizae, Kutki, Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora rhizome, Figwort flower Picrorhiza Rhizome, and so on. Medicinally it is usually dug during autumn. Next, it needs to remove the fibrous roots and dirt and then dry in the sun.

Picrorhiza kurroa plant is a hairy perennial herb. Rhizome is cylindrical, slightly woody, and 15 to 20cm long. Slightly leathery leaves grow close to the roots. Blade is spoon-shaped, 5 to 10cm long, and with pointed apex, base that narrows into winged sheathing petiole base, and serrate margin. Floral axis is longer than leaf. Spica is 5 to 10cm long and with a few bracts beneath. Capsules are long ovate, about 6mm long, and with few lateral grooves laterally and cracked main rooms. Seeds are oblong and about 1mm long. And it blooms in June and fruits in July.

Main chemical constituents are D-mannitol, vanillic acid, apocynin, picroside Ⅱ, kutkoside, 6-vanilloylcatalpol, veronicoside, minecoside, picein, androsin, panta-acetyl-6-vaniloyl catalplol, hex-aacetyl catalpol, cucurbitacins glycosides ingredients, and so on.

Picrorhiza kurroa benefits
Thanks to the advantaged growing conditions, the closest place to the sun seems give herbs there much favor. Of course, human being thus is blessed with many health benefits. When it comes to its medicinal uses, it should differentiate it from Huang Lian (Coptis Rhizome) as they have the similar name and functions. To be specific, both of them are of bitter cold nature and work to clear away heat and dry dampness. However, in comparison the former is good at eliminating deficient heat and heat in indigestion while the latter is specialized at clearing away the heart fire and stomach fire. And as one of common Chinese and ayurvedic herbs, it has been confirmed by related research that it has potential hepatoprotective activity thanks to the antioxidant potential. Now tons of picrorhiza kurroa products, such as supplement, extract, and capsules, have been developed for various complaints, including vitiligo, Asthma, Diabetes, Psoriasis, and more.