Synonym: Holarrhena

Biological source: It is the dried stem bark of Holarrhena antidysenterica

Family: Apocynaceae.

Geographical source: Himalayan region, Orissa, Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Cultivation, Collection and Preparation

Collection: The plants which are 8 - 10 years old are selected. Longitudinal and transverse incisions are made on the trunk from July to September. After detachment, the bark is separated from the wood and dried. The recurved pieces of the bark are marketed.

Macroscopic characters Roots:

Colour: Buff to pale brown slightly brownish on inner surface.

Odour: No odour

Taste: Bitter and acrid

Shape: The outer surface is longitudinally wrinkled and bears horizontal lenticels. The pieces are recurved.

Fracture: Slightly brownish on inner surface.

Uses:

Antiprotozoal in activity and used to treat amoebic dysentry.

A traditional preparation of kurchi bark, viz. "kutajarishta””