What is it used for?
Traditionally used in Ayurveda as a bitter tonic to help stimulate appetite and aid digestion (stomachic) [Source note 2].
Traditionally used in Ayurveda as a hepatoprotectant/liver protectant [Source note 3].
Traditionally used in Ayurveda as a laxative for the relief of occasional constipation [Source note 4].
The laxative claim is based on the Ayurvedic Medicine; however, the mode of action is unclear but may be comparable to stimulant laxatives.
The above uses can be combined on the product label if from the same traditional or non-traditional system of medicine (e.g. Traditionally used in Ayurveda as a bitter tonic to help stimulate appetite and aid digestion and as a laxative for the relief of occasional constipation).
For multi-ingredient products:
To prevent the product from being represented as a "traditional medicine", any indicated traditional use claim must refer to the specific active ingredient(s) and recognized traditional system of medicine from which the claim originates when 1) both traditional and modern claims are present or 2) when claims originate from multiple systems of traditional medicine (e.g. Kutki is traditionally used in Ayurveda as a bitter tonic to help stimulate appetite and aid digestion).
When ALL of the active ingredients (MIs) in the product are used within the SAME identified system of traditional medicine AND the product makes ONLY traditional claims, listing of MIs in the traditional claim(s) is not required
Who does this guide cover?
Adults 18 years and older
How is it taken?
Oral
Which forms are covered?
this reference excludes foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of references Guidance Document.
Quantities
Methods of preparation: Dry, Powdered, Non-Standardized Ethanolic Extracts (Dry extract, Tincture, Fluid extract)
Bitter tonic; Liver protectant
1 - 3 grams of dried rhizome/root, per day [Source note 5]
Laxative
1.5 - 3 grams of dried rhizome/root, per day [Source note 6]
How is it used?
All products
Take a few hours before or after taking other medications or health products [Source note 7].
How long is it used?
Laxative
Ask a healthcare professional for use beyond 7 days [Source note 8].
Warnings and precautions
Bitter tonic; Laxative
Ask a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen.
When should it be avoided?
All products
Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding [Source note 9].
Do not use if you have fever or any undiagnosed gastrointestinal trouble [Source note 10].
Possible side effects
Bitter tonic; Liver protectant
When using this product you may experience a laxative effect [Source note 11].
Storage
Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the applicable product regulations.
Preparation details
Ingredient identity, preparation requirements, and other details that define the scope of this guide.
Ingredients and preparations
| Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source information / Source material(s) | Source information / Part(s) | Source information / Preparation(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Picrorhiza kurrooa |
| Picrorhiza kurrooa |
| Dry |
References: Proper name: USDA 2024; Common names: USDA 2024; API 2001; Source information: WHO 2009; Duke et al. 2002; Williamson 2002.
Other ingredients
Must be chosen from the current source ingredient database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.
Preparation and quality requirements
The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the source authority source’s product quality guidance.
The active ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the source ingredient database.
Picrorhiza kurrooa is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This species is protected under Canada's Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA) and its Regulations. Please ensure the required CITES import/export permit accompanies each shipment. For more information, see [Source note 12]
Guide change history
Updates to this SupplementSafety.org guide.
Minor updates
Updated guide wording, organization, and source presentation. Added our editorial change history.
Initial release
Initial SupplementSafety.org guide prepared from source reference material.
Validation: Not yet completed. Editorial updates do not constitute clinical validation.
Sources
Source information
This guide organizes source material about uses, preparations, amounts, and precautions. Read the conditions alongside each statement; the information may apply only to particular preparations or populations.
The source document includes supporting references. We have not independently summarized or assessed every cited study for this guide.
- Source document version
- July 26, 2024
- Source captured
- Aug 15, 2026
- Editorial work
- Editorial preparation. Independent clinical review has not been recorded for this guide.
Full citations are available through the link above. Verification is required to open them; reading this guide does not require verification.
Taking a medication too?
Explore our supplement–medication interaction checker. Its coverage and review status are shown with the results; a missing finding does not establish that a combination is safe.