Description

Chiretta (Chirata, Chirayata, Swertia) grows to about three feet high and is a Nepal and some parts of India where it grows on the foothills of the Himalayas. It is harvested after flowering and the whole plant is used.

This plant is very bitter and any extract will be very bitter to take, tinctures possibly the easiest to administer.

The blood sugar reduction effects of this plant are claimed to be self-moderating (i.e. once blood sugar levels stabilize at an acceptable level the effect of this herb reduces accordingly). Some laboratory tests have gone a long way towards confirming these claims but is st6ill regarded as not fully conclusive.

Chiretta also stimulates the generation of saliva and gastric fluids in the body.

A total of nine species of Swertia are being traded in Nepal. These are:

1. Swertia chirayita (Roxb. ex Fleming) H. Karst.
2. Swertia angustifolia Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don
3. Swertia tetragona Edgew
4. Swertia racemosa (Griseb.) C.B. Clarke
5. Swertia ciliata (D.Don ex G. Don) B.L. Burtt
6. Swertia dilatata C.B. Clarke
7. Swertia multicaulis D.Don
8. Swertia alata (Royale ex D. Don) C.B. Clarke
9. Swertia nervosa (G.Don) C.B. Clarke

Useful links:

Gentian Research Network: gentian.rutgers.edu/genera/genSwerimgAO.htm