Kutajarishta: Benefits & Uses in Diarrhea, Dysentery and Amoebiasis

February 5, 2016Last Updated: January 5, 2023

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Kutajarishta (also spelled as KUTAJARISHTAM) is a useful ayurvedic formulation for people suffering with Irritable bowel syndrome, acute or chronic diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, and intestinal infections.

Ingredients (Composition)

The main ingredient of Kutajarishta is HOLARRHENA ANTIDYSENTERICA (KURCHI OR KUTAJ). For preparing Kutajarishta, following ingredients are used in the quantity provided.

Ingredient Name	Quantity
Holarrhena Antidysenterica (Kurchi Or Kutaj)	4.8 Kg
Vitis Vinifera – Munakka (Raisins)	2.8 Kg
Madhuca Indica – Mahua or Madhuka flowers	480 grams
Gmelina Arborea – Gambhari	480 grams
Water required for making decoction	49 Kg
Jaggery (Gur/Guda)	4.8 Kg
Woodfordia Fruticosa – Dhataki	960 grams

The coarse powder of herbs (Kutaj, Munakka, Mahua flowers, Gambhari) is boiled and simmered to reduce one-fourth parts (i.e. 12.25 Kg). The decoction is filtered and jaggery and Dhataki flowers are added in the decoction. It is leaved for 30 days for natural fermentation. After 30 days, again the liquid is filtered. The liquid remained is called Kutajarishta.

Medicinal Properties

Kutajarishta exerts astringent action and detoxifies the alimentary canal. The main action appears on intestines. It has following healing properties.

Antidiarrheal
Antidysenteric
Antimicrobial and Antibacterial
Anthelmintic
Astringent
Antiamoebic
Haemostatic
Aam Pachak (Detoxifier)

Kutajarishta also has mild emetic action and promotes expectoration, which exerts antitussive action. Due to these properties, it is helpful in chronic cases of productive cough.

Therapeutic Indications

Kutajarishta is helpful in following health conditions.

Diarrhea
Dysentery
Diarrhea with Fever
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Intestinal worms
Chronic Bronchitis and productive cough

Benefits & Medicinal Uses

Kutajarishta is beneficial in diarrhea, dysentery and irritable bowel syndrome with loose stools due to astringent and AMAPACHAK properties. The detailed benefits and medicinal uses are as follows.

Diarrhea

Kutajarishta is likely to reduce the intestinal motility, which helps in the treatment of diarrhea. (1)

Kutajarishta also has antimicrobial properties. In clinical observation, it is effective in diarrhea occurring due to contaminated food or water. Kutajarishta reduces frequency of loose stools. It should not be given in initial stage of diarrhea because one should let the elimination of toxins from the body.

Amebic Dysentery

Kutaj in Kutajarishta has studied for Amebic Dysentery, which occurs due to Entamoeba Histolytica. Kutaj kills E. Histolytica and clears it from the intestines and liver. Approximate 70% good results are found in improvement in symptoms like flatulence, loose stools, mucus in the stool, and tenesmus. (2)

Kutajarishta is likely to exert same action and have similar benefits like its main ingredient. However, alone use of Kutajarishta is not suggestible, so other ayurvedic remedies should also administrated for better results.

Shigella Infection (Shigellosis)

Kutajarishta like its ingredient contains CONESSINE and CONIMINE active constituents, which inhibits the growth of Shigella bacteria strains. (3, 4)

Stem bark of Kutaj is used for preparing Kutajarishta, which has bacteriostatic and bactericidal action against Shigella Soneii, Shigella Boydii and Shigella Flexneri. (5)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Kutajarishta is a perfect medicine for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), when flatulence and loose stools are main two symptoms.

Chronic Bronchitis & Productive Cough

Kutajarishta promotes expectoration and helps clear in the lungs. However, it is rarely used for this purpose, but it can be useful in chronic cases of productive cough or other lung disorders with productive cough. It helps easier expectoration and clearing the lungs. For this purpose, Kutajarishta should be used along with Mulethi (Yashtimadhu) – Licorice – Glycyrrhiza Glabra decoction.

Kutajarishta has mild emetic properties and bitter taste, which induces vomiting and expectoration of phlegm in children. However, it is rarely used in ayurvedic practice for these characteristics, but it provides great relief when excess mucus is accumulated in the lungs.

Dosage & Administration

The general dosage of Kutajarishta is as follows.
Infants & Children Under Age 5	1 to 5 ml *
Children (6 to 9 Years)	5 ml *
Children (10 to 13 Years)	10 ml *
Teenager (13 to 19 Years)	15 ml *
Adults	20 ml *
Pregnancy	10 to 20 ml (Strictly Under Supervision)
Geriatric (Old age)	20 ml *
Maximum Possible Dosage	60 ml Per Day (in divided doses)
* Twice a day with equal amount of water
When to Take: After Food

Safety Profile

Kutajarishta is considerably safe for most individuals when Kutajarishta taken under professional supervision and within the Kutajarishta dosage recommended in ayurveda.

Side Effects

Kutajarishta has slightly bitter taste and mild emetic action, which may cause following side effects.

Nausea
Vomiting
Distaste

Pregnancy & Lactation

Kutajarishta can be used for the treatment of diarrhea if it occurs in pregnancy, but the strict supervision of ayurvedic physician.

It is considerably safe for lactating mothers suffering with diarrhea.

However, the long-term use of Kutajarishta is not suggestible in pregnancy as well as in lactation.

Contraindications

There is no absolute indication of Kutajarishta.