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Limited evidenceGeneral health

Kutki (Picrorhiza Kurroa)

A Himalayan bitter root used in Ayurveda for the liver. Its main compound, picroliv, has genuine hepatoprotective activity in animals, but the human evidence rests on one small trial from the 1990s.

Evidence last reviewed: August 2026

What the science says

  • Liver protection in viral hepatitis Limited evidence

    A randomised clinical study published in 1996 tested Picrorhiza kurroa as a hepatoprotective agent alongside experimental work and reported faster normalisation of liver markers. It was a single small trial, decades old, and has not been replicated with modern methods.

  • Picroliv activity is preclinical Limited evidence

    Pharmacology reviews describe consistent hepatoprotective, choleretic and antioxidant effects of picroliv against toxin-induced liver injury. All of this work is in rodents and cell systems; none of it demonstrates benefit for fatty liver or any human liver disease.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseTraditional dosing is roughly 0.5–2 g/day of root powder; extract capsules typically state 300–500 mg/day. No modern dose-finding study exists.
SafetyIntensely bitter and can cause nausea and diarrhoea. The plant is endangered and heavily adulterated, so identity and purity are real concerns. Do not use it to self-treat liver disease — herbal products are themselves a leading cause of drug-induced liver injury, and liver symptoms need a diagnosis. Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Scientific references

Where to buy

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