OPHELIA CHIRATA. Griseb. Chiretta.
Agathotes ehirata, D. Don. Hab-ul-mul, . . Anti. larata-tieta, . . SANSK. Kasb-ul-zarireh, . „ Shayraat-kooehie, TAM. Dowa-i-pechisb, . PERS. Shilassuttoo coiello, TEL.
Chiretta or chiraeta is employed throughout Southern Asia as gentian is in Europe. It has long been known to the Hindus. This plant is an annual of from 2 to 3 feet high, with a single, straight, round, smooth stem. Grows in the Himalaya mountains, and is met with in a dried state, tied up in bundles, with its long slender sterns of a brownish colour, having the roots attached, and which have been taken up when the plant was in flower. The whole plant Is bitter. Mr. Brattley states that it contains a free acid, a very bitter extractive and resinous matter, and much gum, muriates and sulphates of limo and potash ; also, that the spirituous extract is more aromatic than that of Gentiana lutes, but that the extractive and the gum aro in larger proportion in the latter. Water and spirit take up its active properties. It is a bitter tonic ;
stomachic, used in dyspepsia or as a tonic in convalescence, either cold or hot infusion ; the former is lighter, and well suited to dyspeptics, and not so apt to create nausea in a hot climate. Sometimes a little orange-peel or cardamom is added. A tincture is made like that of gentian with proof spirit ; like other bitters, it is best taken half an hour before meals. It acts as a simple bitter tonic, not aromatic nor astringent, and is the best substitute for gentian and quassia. It is used in fever, debility, and dyspepsia. The root is the bitterest part of the plant, and the bitter principle is easily imparted to water or alcohol. It is found to be a very efficacious remedy in India against intermittents, particu larly when associated with Guilandina bondnc or Caranga nuts. —Royle's 111. Bat.; Wall. 1'1. As. Rar. ; Powell; Indian Ann. of Med. Sc.