# Chirayata

Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/chirayata/

> Chirayata (Swertia chirayita) is a plant drug, from the Gentianaceae family.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Swertia chirayita
- **Family:** Gentianaceae

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Chirayata |

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

| Property | Value | Description |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| **Rasa** (Taste) | Tikta | Primary taste |
| **Guna** (Quality) | Laghu, Ruksha | Physical quality |
| **Virya** (Potency) | Sheeta | Heating/Cooling effect |
| **Vipaka** (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (powder), Kashayam (decoction), Tablet, Capsule, Kwath Ghana (solid extract), Tincture, Chirayata Arishta

**Standard Dosage:** 1-3g powder twice daily; 30-60ml decoction; 250-500mg extract capsule; 15-30ml Arishta. Extremely bitter, lower doses for compliance.

**Optimal Timing:** Before meals for bitter tonic and [hepatoprotective](/reference/hepatoprotective/) effects; morning dose preferred for fever; with honey to partially mask bitterness

**Storage:** Cool, dry place in airtight containers. Protect from moisture, secoiridoids can hydrolyze. Light-protected packaging for xanthone stability.

**Marker Compounds:** Amarogentin, Swertiamarin, [Sweroside](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sweroside), Mangiferin, Swerchirin, [Gentianine](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#gentianine), Oleanolic acid, Ursolic acid, Decussatin

### Synergistic Combinations

- With Kutki for hepatoprotective synergy
- Traditionally combined with [Guduchi](/herb/guduchi/) in fever ([antipyretic](/reference/antipyretic/)) formulations
- With [Neem](/herb/neem/) for blood purification and skin diseases
- Traditionally paired with [Katuki](/herb/katuki/) for Kamala (jaundice)
- With [Bhunimba](/herb/bhunimba/) for comprehensive bitter tonic formulations

## Reference lists that include it

[Oleanolic acid](https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/reference/oleanolic-acid/), [Ursolic acid](https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/reference/ursolic-acid/)

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/chirayata/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.