Ayurveda and Science

Chitrak/चित्रक/Plumbago Zeylanica/Chitraka/Leadwort

AYURVEDIC & MEDICINAL PLANTS

Hindi Name: चित्रक

Sanskrit Name: Chitraka

English Name: Plumbago Zeylanica

Latin Name: Leadwort

A profusely branched perennial shrub with alternate leaves. The plant is available throughout India wildly and is also cultivated in gardens for its brilliant inflorescence. Root and root bark of the plant are used in preparation of various Ayurvedic medi

Leadwort is a potent medicinal agent used in the treatment of stubborn chronic rheumatoid arthritis, skin diseases and tumerous growths as recommended by Ayurveda. It also finds its use in correcting chronic menstrual disorders, viral warts and chronic diseases of nervous system. Extract of various fraction of Chitrakmool have been identified as anticancer drugs. Rootbark is also considered useful in obesity.

Roots of the plant contain an acrid crystalline principle called plumbagin. Besides, it contains chloroplumbagin and biplumbagin.