Origin. - The dried plant Swertia Chirayita (Rox.) Hamilton, an annual, native to Northern India.

Description and Properties. - Chirata, as found in the shops, consists of short sections of the stem and branches pressed and split, brown or dark-purple in color, and mixed with a few leaves and flowers. It contains a very bitter yellow principle, a hygroscopic glycoside (chiratin), a bitter syrupy liquid (ophelic acid), a resin, coloring-matter, etc. No tannin is present.

Dose. - 5-20 grains (0.3-1.3 Gm.) [15 grains (1 Gm.), U. S. P.].

Official Preparation

Fluidextractum Chiratae - Fluidextracti Chiratae - Fluidextract of Chirata. - Dose, 5-20 minims (0.3-1.3 Cc.) [15 minims (1 Cc), U. S. P.].