Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Kutaj

Holarrhena pubescens

Kutaj (Holarrhena pubescens) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Readily crosses the blood-brain barrier (hence anti-amoebic CNS activity). Holarrhimine and kurchine are well-absorbed. Kutajarishta (self-generated alcohol content 5-10%) enhances alkaloid dissolution and absorption.

Key facts
Botanical nameHolarrhena pubescens
FamilyApocynaceae · other entries in this family
OrderGentianales
Taxon identifiersGBIF 3169748 · Wikidata Q9096302 · NCBI Taxonomy 69381

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishKutaj

Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

PropertyValueDescription
Rasa (Taste)Tikta, KashayaPrimary taste
Guna (Quality)Laghu, RukshaPhysical quality
Virya (Potency)SheetaHeating/Cooling effect
Vipaka (Post-digestive)KatuPost-digestive effect

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (bark powder), Kashayam (decoction), Kvatha Ghana (solid extract), Capsule, Tablet, Kutajarishta (fermented preparation), Kutaja Parpati

Standard Dosage: 3-6 g bark powder twice daily; 50-100 mL decoction; 500 mg standardized extract capsule twice daily; 15-30 mL Kutajarishta; Kutaja Parpati: 250-500 mg twice daily with buttermilk

Bioavailability: Conessine (steroidal alkaloid) has good oral bioavailability (~45-55%) with moderate first-pass metabolism. Readily crosses the blood-brain barrier (hence anti-amoebic CNS activity). Holarrhimine and kurchine are well-absorbed. Kutajarishta (self-generated alcohol content 5-10%) enhances alkaloid dissolution and absorption. Co-administration with buttermilk (traditional Anupana) provides lipid carrier and probiotic synergy for GI-targeted delivery.

Optimal Timing: Before meals for anti-diarrheal and digestive effects; Kutajarishta: after meals with equal quantity of water; Kutaja Parpati: with buttermilk after meals

Standardized Extract: Bark extract standardized to minimum 2% total steroidal alkaloids (as conessine) by HPLC; Kutajarishta: pH 3.5-4.5, total alkaloids >0.1%, self-generated alcohol 5-10%

Shelf Life: 24 months for bark powder; 36 months for Kutajarishta (improves with aging); 24 months for capsules and tablets; 36 months for Ghana Vati

Storage: Bark powder in airtight containers at 15-30°C. Kutajarishta in glass bottles (traditional) or food-grade PET — improves with age like wine (some Vaidyas store for 5-10 years). Protect capsules from moisture. Store in cool, dry place.

Marker Compounds: Conessine, Kurchine, Conessimine, Holarrhimine, Kurchicine, Conamine, Isoconessimine, Holarrhenine

Extraction Methods

  • Water decoction (traditional — bark boiled and reduced to 1/4th)
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (60-70% ethanol) for alkaloid enrichment
  • Acid-water extraction (0.1N HCl) for maximum alkaloid yield
  • Fermentation process for Kutajarishta (Sandhana Kalpana)
  • Spray drying for Ghana Vati preparation

Synergistic Combinations

  • Ativisha (Aconitum heterophyllum) for acute diarrhea (Kutaja + Ativisha is a classical combination)
  • Bilva (Aegle marmelos) for chronic dysentery
  • Dadima (Pomegranate) for IBS management
  • Musta for digestive and anti-diarrheal synergy
  • Kutajarishta with Dadima for comprehensive Atisara (diarrhea) management

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Other clinical studies and reviews1

  1. Zahara K, Panda SK, Swain SS and others. 2020. Metabolic Diversity and Therapeutic Potential of Holarrhena pubescens: An Important Ethnomedicinal PlantBiomolecules. PMID 32962166 · doi:10.3390/biom10091341

Laboratory and animal studies11

  1. Molatrati K, Borse S, Ghosh S and others. 2024. Biosynthesis of copper nanoclusters for fluorescence detection of bilirubin in biofluidsLuminescence : the journal of biological and chemical luminescence. PMID 39152772 · doi:10.1002/bio.4866
  2. Xiang R, Wang S, Wan H. 2023. The complete chloroplast genome of Holarrhena pubescens and its phylogenetic analysisMitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources. PMID 36816055 · doi:10.1080/23802359.2022.2162349
  3. Trivedi TS, Patel MP, Nanavaty V and others. 2023. MicroRNAs from Holarrhena pubescens stems: Identification by small RNA Sequencing and their Potential Contribution to Human Gene TargetsFunctional & integrative genomics. PMID 37148427 · doi:10.1007/s10142-023-01078-0
  4. Kumar D, Kumar R, Singh B and others. 2023. Modulation in the enzymatic antioxidants, MDA level and elicitation in conessine biomolecule in Holarrhena pubescens (medicinal tree) cultures exposed to different heavy metals: Ni, Co, Cr and As3 Biotech. PMID 37608912 · doi:10.1007/s13205-023-03697-7
  5. Alyahya AAI, Asad M, Alrouji M and others. 2023. Hypolipidemic and Antihyperlipidemic Effects of Holarrhena pubescens Methanolic Extract Is Mediated through Inhibition of Lipase Activity and Lipid AccumulationLife (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 37511810 · doi:10.3390/life13071435
  6. Saha R, Gupta M, Majumdar R and others. 2023. Anthelmintic efficacy of Holarrhena pubescens against Raillietina spp. of domestic fowl through ultrastructural, histochemical, biochemical and GLCM analysisPloS one. PMID 37708168 · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0282033
  7. Mandal K, Dhal NK. 2023. Bioaccumulation of industrial heavy metals and interactive biochemical effects on two tropical medicinal plant speciesEnvironmental science and pollution research international. PMID 36670223 · doi:10.1007/s11356-023-25396-9
  8. Cheenpracha S, Boapun P, Limtharakul Née Ritthiwigrom T and others. 2019. Antimalarial and cytotoxic activities of pregnene-type steroidal alkaloids from Holarrhena pubescens rootsNatural product research. PMID 29172699 · doi:10.1080/14786419.2017.1408108
  9. Panda SK, Padhi L, Leyssen P and others. 2017. Antimicrobial, Anthelmintic, and Antiviral Activity of Plants Traditionally Used for Treating Infectious Disease in the Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Odisha, IndiaFrontiers in pharmacology. PMID 29109684 · doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00658
  10. Cheenpracha S, Jitonnom J, Komek M and others. 2016. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity and molecular docking study of steroidal alkaloids from Holarrhena pubescens barksSteroids. PMID 26850468 · doi:10.1016/j.steroids.2016.01.018
  11. Bhusal A, Jamarkattel N, Shrestha A and others. 2014. Evaluation of antioxidative and antidiabetic activity of bark of holarrhena pubescens wallJournal of clinical and diagnostic research : JCDR. PMID 25386454 · doi:10.7860/JCDR/2014/7803.4863

Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.

Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.