Kutajghan Vati Uses, Benefits, Ingredients, Dosage and Side Effects

Kutajghan Vati, also spelled as Kutaj Ghan Vati, is an Ayurvedic medicine commonly indicated in Diarrhea (Atisara), Desentry (Pravahika), and IBS (Grahni Roga). The Vati (Tablets) is primarily made from the root or the stem bark of the Kutaja tree (Holarrhena antidysenterica) and the powder of the Ativisha (Aconitum Heterophyllum).

Kutaja tree bark possesses antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, and astringent qualities, while Ativisha exhibits anthelmintic, antipyretic, and antidiarrhoeal properties ¹. These characteristics alleviate intestinal inflammation, regulate loose stools, and reduce bleeding.

It contains the natural alkaloid Connesine which is known for its antimicrobial properties. Its antimicrobial properties help fight microbial infections and reduce inflammation of the intestines making it effective against diarrhea, amoebic dysentery, ulcerative colitis, and associated fever and bleeding.

A study was conducted to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of Kutajghan Vati. The findings indicated that Kutaj ghan Vati exhibited significant antimicrobial activity².

Kutajghan Vati pacifies Vata and pitta dosha. It helps stimulate digestive fire (Deepana) facilitating better absorption of nutrients.

Rasa (Taste)	Bitter, Pungent and Astringent
Guna (Quality)	Light (Laghu) Ruksha (Dry)
Veerya (Potency)	hot (Ushna Veerya)
Vipaka (Effect post digestion)	Katu

Kutajghan Vati ingredients

Kutaj (Holarrhena Antidysenterica)
Ativisha (Aconitum Heterophyllum)

The primary ingredient of Kutajghan Vati is Kutaja (Holarrhena antidysenterica) stem bark.

The preparation process involves the extraction and concentration of the active constituents.

Kutajghan Vati dosage

The dosage of Kutajghan Vati ranges from 375mg (3 Ratti) to 1.5gm (12 Ratti) three times a day, depending on age and health condition. It is to be taken after meals along with water.

Children: 2 tablets (750 mg)
Adults: 4 tablets (1.5 grams)
Pregnancy: 2 tablets (750 mg)
Geriatric (Old Age): 2 tablets (750 mg)

It is generally recommended to take 1-2 tablets (250-500 mg) three times a day after meals.

Kutajghan vati Preparation Method

First of all, the root or the green stem bark of the Kutaj (Holarrhena Antidysenterica tree is taken, washed, and cooked in 6 times water.

When one-eighth of the water remains it is filtered and cooled down. Then it is subjected to heat, initially in low flame and high flame at the end.

When the decoction becomes thick, it is kept out and dried in the sunlight. Subsequently, the powder of the herb Ativisha (Aconitum Heterophyllum) is added.

Ultimately the obtained mixture is shaped into small tablets weighing approximately 125 mg each. This is the traditional method of preparing Kutajghan Vati.

Medicinal Properties Kutaj ghan vati

Antidiarrheal: Helps control diarrhea by reducing intestinal motility.
Antidysenteric: Effective against dysentery.
Antimicrobial: Helps fight infectious diarrheal diseases.
Astringent: Helps reduce inflammation and bleeding.
Aam Pachak (Detoxifier): Clears toxins (Ama) from the body.
Hemostatic: Stops bleeding.
Promotes Digestive Health: Supports digestive health by regulating bowel movements, improving digestion, and relieving symptoms like abdominal discomfort and bloating.

Kutajghan Vati Uses and Benefits:

Kutajghan Vati is considered Tridoshaghana (pacifies Tridoshas) Agni Depapana (stimulating digestive fire), Pachana (improving digestion), Atisara Nashaka (antidiarrheal), and Grahi (Absorbant), thereby restoring overall digestive function. It is beneficial in cases of diarrhea along with fever.

Its Hemostatic (astringent) properties help prevent bleeding, while its Aam Pachak (Detoxifier) properties clear toxins (Ama) from the body.

Kutajghan Vati is commonly indicated for the following conditions:

Diarrhea (Atisara) and Dysentery (Pravahika):

The bark of the Kutaja tree is known for its Atisara Nashaka (antidiarrheal), antimicrobial, and Kashaya (astringent) properties, while the Ativisha possesses Krimihara (anthelmintic) Jwarahara (antipyretic), and Atisaraghna (antidiarrhoeal) properties.

These help reduce inflammation in the intestines and control loose stools and bleeding.

Kutajghan Vati acts as a potent antidiarrheal agent. It helps balance vata dosha, alleviates Agnimandya (weak digestive fire), reduces mucus content in stool, and controls bleeding, thereby, effectively managing diarrhea (Atisara) and dysentery (Pravahika).

A clinical trial with 60 patients at Ayurveda Seva Sangha Hospital in Nashik found Kutaj ghan Vati effective in treating diarrhea over three days, compared to Sanjivani Vati ³.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS):

In Ayurveda, Kutajghan Vati is considered the drug of choice for the management of irritable bowel syndrome (Grahani Roga), a chronic gastrointestinal disorder caused by Agnimandya (weak digestive fire)⁴.

It helps regulate bowel movements and alleviate symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits.

Ulcerative Colitis:

Kutajghan Vati is used in the management of ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease that affects the colon and rectum. it helps reduce inflammation in the colon, promotes the healing of ulcers, and alleviates pain and discomfort.

Gastrointestinal Infections:

Kutajghan Vati is also used in the treatment of various gastrointestinal infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. It possesses antimicrobial properties that help combat these infections.

Kutajghan Vati side effects

No observed side effects were reported from the use of Kutajghan Vati.
When taken within the recommended dosage, Kutajghan Vati is generally considered safe for most individuals. However, it may cause some side effects in rare cases, including constipation or gastric discomfort.
If you’re on hypertension medication, consult your doctor before using Kutaj Ghan Vati, as higher doses may cause a decrease in blood pressure ⁵.
Avoid overdosing, as it can lead to a drop in blood pressure.

If you experience any unusual or severe side effects, it is advisable to discontinue use and consult a healthcare professional.

Can Kutajghan vati cure ibs?

Kutajghan Vati has Antidiarrheal (Atisara Nashak), Ama Pachaka (detoxifier), and astringent properties which help balance digestive fire (Pachak Agni), it manages IBS symptoms like cramps, pain, bloating, and irregular bowel movements which can benefit IBS-related diarrhea.

Can Kutajghan Vati be used for children with diarrhea or dysentery?

Kutajghan Vati can be given to children with diarrhea or dysentery, an Ayurvedic practitioner can help determine the appropriate dosage based on an examination of factors such as the child’s condition, age, and weight.

Children generally require lower dosages compared to adults, and the formulation may also need to be modified to make it more suitable for pediatric use.

Other Ayurvedic Medicines for Diarrhea

Kutajarishta
Grahani Kapat Ras
Sanjivani Vati
Sutshekhar Ras
Kamdudha Ras

Conclusion:

Kutaj Ghan Vati is an Ayurvedic medicine with potential benefits in managing gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea, dysentery, IBS, and ulcerative colitis. Its key ingredient, Kutaja bark, possesses antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and astringent properties.

References

1
Nagarajan M, Kuruvilla GR, Kumar KS, Venkatasubramanian P. Pharmacology of Ativisha, Musta and their substitutes. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2015 Apr-Jun;6(2):121-33. doi: 10.4103/0975-9476.146551. PMID: 26167002; PMCID: PMC4484047.
2
Lather A, Gupta V, Chaudhary AK, Singh R, Bansal P, Ghaiye P, Bansal R. In vitro evaluation of antimicrobial activity of Kutajghan vati – an Ayurvedic formulation. Pak J Pharm Sci. 2012 Jul;25(3):693-6. PMID: 22713963.
3
Nileema Raju, S. (2016). TO STUDY THE EFFECT OF KUTAJA GHANA IN ATISAR VEGAVASTHA (ACUTE DIARRHEA). International Journal of Ayurveda and Pharma Research, 4(3). Retrieved from https://ijapr.in/index.php/ijapr/article/view/315
4
Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana, Chapter 15, Verse 48.
5
Lather, Dr Amit & Gupta, Verruchi & Bansal, Parveen & Singh, Ramdev & Chaudhary, Amrendra. (2010). Pharmacological potential of ayurvedic formulation:Kutajghan vati-A review. J Adv Sci Res. 1. 41-45.