IndianJadiBooti Chitrak Bark - Chita Chaal - Chita Chhal - Chita Chal - Plumbago Indica

Form: Raw Herb

Other Names: 

Sheetraagh, Shitraak Hindee, GhashwaChita, Chittu, Ceylon Leadwort, White Leadwort, Dentelair de Ceylon, Bleiwurz, Ceylon-Bleiwurz, Chitro, Chitra, Pitro, Chitra, Chita, Chiti, Chira, Chitta, Chitramula, Vahni, Bilichitramoola,, Chitra, Shatrajna, Plumbago zeylanica Linn, Chitrak, Chitramul,  Sheetrah, Shatraj, Chitra, Chitrak, Chitraka, Dahana, Agni, Vahni, Hutabhuk,  Cheetalakdi, Sheetraj Hindi

The Plumbaginaceae family includes the medicinal plant chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica). It is grown throughout most of India, primarily in West Bengal and the southern regions, because of its therapeutic benefits. Additionally, tropical and subtropical nations around the world have access to it.

The root of the plant is where most of the bioactive substances that give it much of its medicinal effects are found. The root's main constituent, plumbagin, a naphthoquinone, is what gives the root its therapeutic properties. Agni/Vahni in Sanskrit, Chira/Chitra in Hindi, and Lead War in English are further names for Chitrak. Different portions of Plumbago zeylanica contain different phytochemicals. These phytochemicals include carbohydrates, fixed oil, flavanoids, alkaloids, glycosides, steroids, triterpenoids, tannins, coumarins, phenolic compounds, saponins, and coumarins.

The following are some of Chitrak's medical applications:

The roots are used in Ayurveda to treat internal abscesses, urinary calculi, migraines, jaundice, skin conditions, and skin illnesses. Detoxicant, febrifuge, antiseptic, and antihelminthic are further uses for it. The root is widely used in India and China to cure cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, dysmenorrhea, and contusions of the extremities. Plumbagin is an alkaloid found in the roots. Antioxidant, antimalarial, antibiotic, antifertility, anticancer, and cardiotonic are a few of its medicinal qualities.

Benefits of Chitrak for Renal Disorders: Chitrak extract helps reverse kidney damage brought on by cisplatin.

The medication cisplatin's nephrotoxic effects were protected from by chitrak extract.

Chitrak has anti-cancer properties because plumbagin slows the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells. It might have therapeutic benefits for treating pancreatic cancer.

Chitrak for Heart Benefits

In a study on animals, Plumbago zeylanica root extract was found to lower blood cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins (LDL).

Plumbagin also stops cholesterol and LDL from building up in the liver and blood vessels.

Chitrak's advantages in preventing liver damage include:

In an animal model, Plumbago zeylanica root extract shown protective advantages against the hepatic damage brought on by paracetamol.

Benefits of Chitrak for Treating Microbial Infections: A study found that Plumbago zeylanica root extract had antibacterial activity against a number of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, multi-resistant strains of E. coli and Shigella, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.