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Picrorhiza

Picrorhiza is a plant that grows in the mountains of the Himalayas. The root and root stem of this plant are used as medicine, particularly in Ayurvedic medicine. Excessive harvesting has almost wiped out this plant.

Picrorhiza is used for jaundice, liver infections such as acute viral hepatitis caused by viruses, fever, allergies and asthma. Picrorhiza is also used to treat skin conditions including eczema and white spot disease. Some people use picrorhiza for digestive problems including upset stomach, constipation and persistent diarrhea. Other uses include the treatment of scorpion stings, epilepsy, malaria and rheumatoid arthritis.

How does Picrorhiza work?

More information is needed to make a statement about how Picrorhiza might work. Picrorhiza contains chemicals that could stimulate the immune system, kill cancer cells and reduce inflammation.

How effective is Picrorhiza?

Picrorhiza may be effective for treating white spot disease, a condition that leads to the development of white patches on the skin. Taking picrorhiza orally for up to a year, in combination with a conventional drug called methoxalene, appears to help treat white spot disease in adults and children. Picrorhiza may be ineffective for the treatment of asthma. Taking picrorhiza orally for up to 12 weeks does not appear to improve asthma symptoms or lung function. There is insufficient scientific data to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of Picrorhiza for sudden viral liver infections such as acute viral hepatitis or rheumatoid arthritis. Further scientific studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of Picrorhiza in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Picrorhiza appears to be safe and harmless for most people when taken for up to one year. However, Picrorhiza may cause vomiting, skin rashes, anorexia, diarrhea and itching.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and lactation: Not enough is known about the use of picrorhiza during pregnancy and lactation. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid picrorhiza.

"Autoimmune diseases" such as multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis or others: Picrorhiza could cause the immune system to become more active and this could exacerbate the symptoms of autoimmune diseases. For this reason, it is best to avoid picrorhiza if you suffer from any of these diseases.

Interactions

Care should be taken when combining Picrorhiza with the following medications:

Drugs that reduce the function of the immune system Picrorhiza could improve the function of the immune system. By improving the function of the immune system, Picrorhiza may reduce the effectiveness of drugs that reduce the function of the immune system.

Dosage

The following dosages have been investigated in scientific studies:

Oral:

  • For the treatment of white spot disease: 200 mg of Picrorhiza root stem powder was taken twice daily in combination with the drug Methoxalen, which is taken orally and applied to the affected areas of skin.

References

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