Kutki | Kali Kutki | Black Hellebore | کٹکی

Helleborus niger Linn.

Helleborus viridis Linn.

Family: Ranunculaceae

Arabic Name(s): Kutki

Urdu Name(s): Khurasani Kutki, Kharbiq Siyah, Kali Kutki, Kali Kutaki

English Name(s): Black Hellebore

Parts Used

Rhizome

Quality/Temperament

Warm and dry in third order.

Functions and Properties (Pharmacological Actions)

Bitter, stomach and liver tonic, carminative, cathartic, emmenagogue and anthelmintic, in large doses narcotic poison, antibilious, local anesthetic, antiperiodic, alternative and preventive for malarial fevers, resolvent of inflammations internally and externally.

Specific Action

Useful against atrabilious and phlegmatic cerebral affections as antispasmodic and for chronic skin affections.

Medicinal Uses

To procure stomach tonic, carminative and laxative action on the digestive system, black hellebore is administered where its comparatively high dose (125 mg. – 1 gram or more) brings loose motions and acts as hydragogue cathartic. Acts as vermifuge and as antipyretic in chronic fevers. Administered in small doses as a powder in indigestion, loss of appetite, dropsy, and edema due to liver complications, whereas in chronic bilious fevers, its decoction is prescribed with the bark of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Neem). The root is employed with success in apoplexy, amenorrhoea, epilepsy, hypochondriasis, mania, melancholia, and chronic skin affections. Dried root powder in small doses is given with aromatics in dyspepsia. Powdered and mixed with the same quantity of sugar, it is given as a preventive for malaria in doses not exceeding 1 gm (to 1.5 gm).

Compound Preparations

In Jawarishat (pleasant-taste stomachics) and Zimadat (pastes/embrocations).

Dosage

25 mg. – 50 mg. (approximately).