Kurchi – Chemical Nature, Uses and Synonyms

Kurchi Bark pieces for Dysentry

Morphology and Distribution of Kurchi:

Kurchi is the dried stem bark of Holarrhena antidysenterica belonging to the family Apocyanaceae. Kurchi is also known as Holarrhena.

The Kurchi bark is collected from 8-10 years old plant. The bark of Kurchi is freed from attached wood and is peeled into small pieces.

Kurchi is indigenous to India and is found at higher altitudes of 1000 metres. It is found in Himalayan region and also in the states of Orissa, Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Chemical Nature and Constituents of Kurchi Bark:

Kurchi bark contains about 25 total alkaloids. They belong to steroidal alkaloids which belong to C21 group.

The active alkaloids that are present in Kurchi bark are conessine (kurchicine), norconessine, isoconessine, dioxyconessine, conessimine, holarrhimine and holarrhidine. Conessine is also present in the root bark along with other steroidal alkaloids.

Kurchi Flowers

Medicinal Uses and Health Benefits of Kurchi:

• Kurchi has anti-protozoal activity
• Kurchi bark is used for treating amoebic dysentry
• Kurchi is active against Entamoeba histolytica
• The traditional preparation of kurchi bark is called as kutajarishta, it is used for chronic amoebiasis

Synonyms of Kurchi:

• Bengali – Kurchi, Kutaja
• Gujrati – Kadacchal
• Hindi – Kaureya kurachi
• Kannada – Kodamuriki
• Malayalam – Kadagapala
• Marathi – Kudasal, Indrajav
• Sanskrit – Kutaja
• Tamil – Krukkalami-palsi
• Telugu – Kodisapala
• Punjabi – Keor
• Oriyan – Kheraba
• German – Iuhrohrholarrhena
• French – Holarrhena antidysenterique