Wrightia Tinctoria is known as shweta kutaja in ayurveda. Ayurveda acharyas laud its health benefits and uses in psoriasis, skin care and hair care
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Wrightia Tictoria or Shweta kutaja in Ayurveda
Ayurveda health benefits and uses of Wrightia Tinctoria-Shweta Kutaja
Wrightia Tinctoria amazing benefits in Skin diseases like Psoriasis
Wrightia Tictoria or Shweta kutaja in Ayurveda
Wrightia Tictoria is also known as Pala indigo plant or dyers’s oleander . It is widely available in India, Southeast Asia and Australia. It needs mostly dry and little moistness to grow.
Traditional uses of Shwet kutaj
Traditionally the bark and seeds are used to address gas and flatulence. During snake bite, its root bark extract is administered orally to fight snake poison. The bark powder is used to help in kidney stones.
Chemical constituents of Shweta Kutaja
Wrightia Tinctoria contains phytochemical Beta Sitosterol, Beta Amyrin, Cycloartenone
Texts of Ayurveda recognise this plant by name “Shweta Kutaja”.
This plant is small sized tree or large shrub which grows from 4 meters to 14 meters height. The leaves are long and are oppositely arranged. White coloured flowers bloom between March and June.
The seeds of this plant are also known as Indrayava or Indrajao.
Ayurveda health benefits and uses of Wrightia Tinctoria-Shweta Kutaja
Indrayava or Indrajao balances all three doshas (vata, pitta and Kapha ). It is light (laghu) to digest and absorbs moistness (rooksha) while getting digested. It has bitter taste (tikta rasa) mixed with astringent taste (Kashaya rasa). This herb has cold potency (sheeta veerya). Usually the bark and seeds of this plant are used in ayurvedic preparations.
The health benefits of this herb are praised as follows in texts of ayurveda
Wrightia Tinctoria amazing benefits in Skin diseases like Psoriasis:
Various studies point that these phytochemicals of Shwetha Kutaja
1. Help to reduce keratinocytes multiplication
2. May inhibit the co-stimulatory molecules communications
3. There are possibilities that they may sort, isolate and attenuate neoplastic keratinocytes
4. Helps in Reducing xerosis of skin and associated itching
Shweta kutaja or Wrightia Tinctoria when applied externally helps to heal stubborn wounds. It stimulates the growth of granulation tissue and hastens the healing process. Decoction and oil of this herb is useful in healing psoriasis , acne and pimples . Boil 2-3 leaves of this plant in a glass of water to reduce it to ½ glass. This water can be splashed on face to get rid of oiliness, acne and pimple. Same decoction can be used to wash wounds.
Wrightia Tinctoria In Diabetes:
Various researches have shown that the extract of this herb has anti-diabetic properties. This herb is helpful for persons who are obese and also diabetic. .
Stubborn Dandruff
This herb is usually added as an ingredient in herbal shampoo. Since this plant heals the skin lesions, it helps to heal dandruff or flaky scalp. Boil 4-5 leaves of Wrightia Tinctoria in 4 glasses of water to reduce it to 2 glasses. Wash your scalp with this water to get rid of dandruff.
Troublesome Digestive system:
Wrightia Tinctoria is very effective in problems of digestive system. It is very effective in ulcerative colitis, IBS , bacillary dysentery and diarrhoea. This ayurvedic herb helps in bleeding piles or haemorrhoids. Shweta Kutaja also helps in viral enteritis and intestinal parasites. A decoction made from bark and leaves of this herb can be used in above mentioned conditions. The dosage is 50 to 100 ml per day.
Blood Purification:
This herb purifies blood and helps in treatment of allergic rashes and Gout . Shweta kutaja is very useful in bringing down the blood uric acid level which is the main cause for Gout.
In fever:
This herb is recommended in jwara or fever. The decoction of this herb helps to bring down malarial fever.
Weight Loss:
Due to its moistness absorbing properties this herb is used to treat obesity. It helps to scrape of stubborn fat.
In Herpes :
Fruit and seeds of Shweta kutaja is used in treatment of herpes
How Ayurveda Vaidyas Use This Herb ?
This plant is widely used in the preparation of ayurvedic hair oils for hair growth, dandruff and flaky skin as it has anti-dandruff and anti-inflammatory properties.
This herb is used in treatment of loose motions and blood pressure .
The bark of this plant is often mixed with ginger in treatment of piles or haemorrhoids.
In skin problems like psoriasis the bark of this herb is well mixed with sufficient quantity of cow’s urine and applied externally.
Cow milk mixed with fresh juice of bark is very effective in cystitis and UTI .
This herb is also preferred in treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis.
In ayurvedic dentistry the exudate of this plant is used in treatment of gum diseases and toothache.
Helps to relieve fever, constipation and stomach pain.
It is also a good remedy for fever, toothache, constipation and stomach ache.
Consult Dr.Savitha Suri for ayurvedic remedies. Email drsavithasuri@gmail.com . WhatsApp + 91 6360108663
Author : Dr. Savitha Suri Consultant Ayurvedic Physician
Reference – PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDIES ON WRIGHTIA TINCTORIA
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