Plumbago or Chitraka is commonly known as Ceylon Leadwort, Doctorbush, Leadwort, Ceylon Lead Root, White leadwort and Fire plant. It is called Chitra, Chita Chitrak in Hindi, Safed-sitarak in Bengali, Boga Agechita in Assamese, Telhidak in Manipuri, Koduveli, Vellakkoduveli in Malayalam, chittiramoolam Karimai in Tamil, Chitramulika in Kannada. In Sanskrit it has several names i.e. Chitraka, Agni, Dahana, Vyalah, Pathinah, Darunah, Agnikah, Jyotiskah, Vallari, Vahni, Pali, Pathi, Katu, Sikhi,, Dvipi, Chitrabhanu, Pavakah, Chitrakah, Agnimali, Sardula, Citrapali, Krusanu etc. In Oriya we call it Chitamula.
Its Botanical name is Plumbago zeylanica.
Plumbago is a perennial shrub that reaches about 6 feet in height with green branches, stems somewhat woody. Leaves are alternate, ovate or oblong, flowers are white, in axillary and terminal elongated spikes. They are bisexual. The Calyx is densely covered with stalked, sticky glands. Roots are light yellow coloured when fresh, reddish brown when dry. They are acrid and pungent in taste. It is distributed as a weed throughout the tropical and subtropical countries of the world. It is native to SE Asia. It is a fast growing plant, but it can be easily controlled by pruning. The flowering occurs from September to November. The plant is propagated by cuttings, division of older plants or by seed. The plants require frequent fertilizers and after flowering the plants should be cut back to let them grow vigorously. There are two varieties of Chitraka white and red called Sweta (white) Chitrak and Rakta (red) Chitraka. Rakta Chitraka is comparatively rare.
It grows wild in India and has been used by rural and tribal people for hundreds of years as a traditional system of medicine. Chitraka enjoys an important place among medicinal herbs in India since ancient times. In Ayurveda Chitrak has been mentioned as having pungent, astringent, diuretic and germicidal properties. Plumbago is considered for its invasive medicinal properties such as anti-cancer activity, anti-fertility activity, anti-inflammatory activity, anti-microbial activity and anti-oxidant activity.
The root and root bark and seeds are used medicinally as a stimulant, caustic, digestive, antiseptic, anti-parasitic and anti-diarrheal. Chitrak is used in treating intestinal troubles, dysentery, leucoderma, inflammation, piles, bronchitis, itching, diseases of the liver, and consumption. The leaves of this herb work well for treating laryngitis, rheumatism, diseases of the spleen, ring worm, scabies. Chitrak root helps improve digestion and it stimulates the appetite. Before use, the roots of Chitraka are purified in lime water. The roots are commonly used internally but seldom externally. In the form of an external paste, it is used in filariasis, depigmentation of the skin and generalized swelling all over the body. On applying its paste, boils appear on the skin and they burst open giving out the impurities. In rheumatic joints, its paste is beneficial. The powdered root is occasionally taken as a snuff to relieve headache. The root of the plant is made into a paste and applied to the skin to treat abscesses, carbuncles, ulcers and scabies, syphilitic ulcers, varicose ulcers and ringworm. Prostate cancer cell growth is inhibited by plumbagin, a constituent of this medicinal herb Plumbago. In Africa, a cold infusion of the root is used to treat influenza and black water fever.
It has benefits in nervous and female reproductive system. It is also used in hemorrhoids, rheumatism. Orally or internally, Chitraka is used in a vast range of diseases. One must use Chitraka in small doses with caution, as the root and seeds of the Chitraka contains potent medicinal properties. It has to be taken in small doses, otherwise paralysis and death could result.
Chitraka should not be used to treat any symptoms unless under the supervision of a physician or qualified herbalist because of the potent ingredient of the plant which may prove hazardous to those who have liver and kidney disease besides causing paralysis that can lead to death. It is very hot and sharp in its properties. This plant is not safe for use during pregnancy being internally as an irritant to the uterus. The root and leaves of the plant is not recommended for use during a pregnancy which can cause an abortion. The root is potentially toxic. A large dose of the roots is not recommended, for it can cause death from respiratory failure and powerful poison.
