Citraka (Chitrak) – Product Monograph

1. Synonyms (पर्यायवाची नाम)

• Sanskrit Synonyms:
• Citrakaḥ (चित्रकः) – Stimulates digestive fire, sharp like flame
• Analanāmā (अनलनामा) – Fire-like, digestive stimulant
• Pathī / Pīṭhī (पाठी / पीठी) – Known for action against Grahaṇī & Kuṣṭha
• Vyālaḥ (व्यालः) – Acts aggressively on diseases like a wild beast
• Ūṣaṇaḥ (ऊषणः) – Pungent and heating

2. Regional Names

• Hindi: Cita (चीत), Cītā (चीता), Citaura (चितउर)
• Bengali: Cita, Citu
• Marathi: Citraka
• Kannada: Pellī Citrāmūla, Citrakamūla
• Punjabi: Citrā
• Telugu: Agnimata, Citramūlam, Tellacitra
• Tamil: Peñcottara
• Gujarati: Citro
• Malayalam: Vellakotuveri, Kotubeli
• English: Ceylon Leadwort, White Leadwort

3. Botanical Description

• Accepted Botanical Sources:
• Plumbago zeylanica Linn. – Śveta Citraka (White Chitrak)
• Plumbago indica Linn. syn. P. rosea Linn. – Rakta Citraka (Red Chitrak)
• P. capensis Thunb. – Kṛṣṇa Citraka (not commonly used)
• Vogelia indica Gibs. – Wild form found in Girnar & Abu
• Family: Plumbaginaceae
• Morphology (P. zeylanica):
• Habit: Perennial herb with striate stems, common in hot parts of India.
• Leaves: Ovate, 3.7–10 cm, shortly petioled, base narrowed.
• Flowers: White, borne in long spike-like racemes; calyx tubular, glandular.
• Fruit: Capsule enclosed within persistent calyx; seeds oblong.
• Flower Color: White (P. zeylanica), Red (P. indica).

4. Chemical Constituents

• Active Principle: Plumbagin (up to 0.9%) – major naphthoquinone compound.
• Roots & Other Parts Contain:
• 2-methyl-5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (Plumbagin)
• Chitranone, Bisplumbagin, Droserone, Elliptinone, Zeylanone
• β- & α-amyrins, Lupeol, Taraxasterol
• Catechol tannins, Amino acids
• Glucose, Fructose, Invertase, Protease (root bark)
• Sterols: β-sitosterol
• Coumarins & organic acids (Plumbagic acid, Vanillic acid)
• Pharmacological Actions of Plumbagin:
• CNS stimulant in small doses
• Dilates peripheral vessels, lowers BP slightly
• Increases gastric secretions, bile, urine, sweat
• Potent irritant, vesicant, antiseptic, antifungal, antibacterial
• Inhibits Mycobacterium tuberculosis, fungi (Histoplasma, Trichophyton), and Salmonella

5. Properties & Therapeutic Uses

Ayurvedic Properties (गुणधर्म)

• Rasa (Taste): Kaṭu (Pungent)
• Guna (Qualities): Rūkṣa (Dry), Laghu (Light), Tīkṣṇa (Sharp)
• Virya (Potency): Uṣṇa (Hot)
• Vipāka (Post-digestive effect): Kaṭu
• Doṣa Action: Pacifies Vāta and Kapha; also reduces Pitta in certain conditions

Therapeutic Uses

• Digestive & Metabolic:
• Deepana, Pachana – Improves appetite & digestion
• Useful in Grahaṇī, chronic diarrhoea, indigestion, dyspepsia
• Relieves intestinal worms
• Anorectal:
• Beneficial in Arśas (piles) – reduces laxity of anal canal
• Citraka-kṣāra with buttermilk useful in hepatosplenomegaly
• Skin Disorders:
• Effective in Kuṣṭha (skin diseases), Leucoderma, Local alopecia
• External paste applied (with rice paste) for controlled use
• Respiratory & Systemic:
• Useful in cough, asthma (Kapha-vāta disorders)
• Reduces anasarca, rheumatism, joint inflammation
• Gynecological:
• Strong ecbolic action – stimulates uterus, induces abortion (⚠ contraindicated in pregnancy)
• Other Uses:
• External oil/paste in arthritis, buboes, abscesses
• Experimental – potential use in baldness, leucoderma, infections

⚠ Cautions:

• Root is vesicant – causes blistering if applied >15–20 minutes.
• Not to be used in pregnancy (abortifacient).
• High doses = acronarcotic poison (respiratory failure possible).

6. Doses

• Churna (Powder of Root): 500 mg – 2 g
• External Use: Paste (tempered with bland substances like rice or oil) applied locally for short duration

✅ Summary:
Citraka (Chitrak) is a powerful Ayurvedic herb known as "Agni-stimulator," acting as Deepana, Pachana, and Krimighna. Its root is rich in plumbagin, making it a potent digestive, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal agent. Though therapeutically versatile, it must be used with caution due to its strong irritant and abortifacient properties.

Ref: Bhavaprakash Nighantu