Chirayita, also known as Swertia, is an indigenous Himalayan plant that generally bears purple and blue flowers. It has been cultivated in the hills for hundreds of years and is used to treat different types of problems, such as diabetes, malaria, inflammation, and many others.
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The plant is believed to be a storehouse of many bioactive compounds that have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. It also contains a lot of flavonoids that provide an abundance of antioxidants to the body. It is often consumed in the form of a detox drink by people living in the hilly region to fight against seasonal problems that one might encounter. It is also used to treat a lot of serious health ailments. Here are some of the top benefits of consuming the herb.
* Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Chirayita herb contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help in tackling the problem of swelling and inflammation in the body. As per a study published in the National Library of Medicine in 2019, the Chirayita herb is very helpful in the treatment of inflammation-related problems such as abdominal pain. Because of its wide range of biological activities, it is used in various forms for consumption purposes and providing relief to the body. One can try using this herb for inflammation-related injuries.
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* Antioxidants
A study published in the journal Pharmacognosy Research in 2015 showed that Chirayita flowers have a significant amount of antioxidants and also possess antibacterial properties. Consuming the herb can help improve the body's immunity and have significant antioxidant effects. This is one of the reasons why people living in the Himalayas and other parts where the herb is grown have used the herb perpetually for their consumption. It can improve the strength of the body and help fight against seasonal changes.
* Antimicrobial Benefits
Having antimicrobial properties simply means that it doesn't let microorganisms spread in the body that easily. These microorganisms may include harmful viruses, fungi, bacteria, and other such life-threatening agents. As stated above, the Chirayita herb has both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Any person who is suffering from problems like loss of appetite because of worms in the intestine can try using this herb for deworming. It can also help tackle the problems of malaria and diarrhoea.
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* Maintaining Blood Sugar Levels
Many people in the hills believe that the Chirayita herb has the power to maintain blood sugar levels in the body. People in the hills have used this herb to treat problems related to high blood sugar, blood pressure, hepatitis and other related problems for years. This is a very natural way of finding the cure to such serious problems. However, if one is suffering from serious diabetes or high blood pressure-related issues, then it is better to consult a medical practitioner before consuming anything that they have not tried before.
* Healing Fever
As Chirayita has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, it is pretty obvious that the herb is very helpful in treating fever. The herb helps in providing immunity to the body and increases its strength to defend itself against infections and illnesses. Thus, drinking detox water made from Chirayita leaves may instantly alleviate the problem of high body temperature and provide instant relief to the body. It is important to take into consideration that this is a natural remedy and may or may not work for a specific person.
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* Aids Digestion
Like a lot of other herbs, Chirayita also has a lot of digestive and gastrointestinal benefits for the body. If a person is suffering from incessant problems like bloating, irregularity of stools and constipation, then a great idea is to consume this herb in the form of their preference. People in hilly areas have used this herb to get relief from gut-related issues for a long time. It is believed that not only does it aid digestion, but it also improves metabolic activity in the body. Consuming this herb regularly is also beneficial for a person who doesn't have a high appetite and feels hungry very seldom.
How To Consume Chirayita
An easy way to consume the herb is to make a simple morning tea or detox water with the help of it. One can simply take two sticks of dry Chirayita and then keep it in water that should be boiled till the quantity of the water comes to half of its original quantity. This water should be consumed only 2 to 3 teaspoons at a time. One can have it twice ot thrice a day after every meal to avoid digestive problems.
