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Neel Chitraka

Botanical Name: Plumbago capensis Thunb.
Family: Plumbaginaceae
Identification No.: SDACH/HG/285

Introduction:

Plumbago capensis, commonly known as Cape Leadwort, is a medicinal plant native to South Africa but widely cultivated in India as an ornamental and medicinal herb. It is closely related to Plumbago zeylanica and used similarly in Ayurvedic medicine. Known for its digestive, carminative, and anti-inflammatory properties, it is traditionally employed in treating skin diseases, digestive disorders, and rheumatic conditions.

Names in different Indian languages:

  • English: Cape Leadwort, Blue Plumbago
  • Hindi: Neela Chitrak
  • Kannada: Neeli Chitraka
  • Malayalam: Neela Chitrak
  • Sanskrit: Neela Chitraka
  • Tamil: Neela Chitramoolam
  • Telugu: Neela Chitramulam

Synonyms:

Neela chitraka, Neela agni, Krishna chitraka, Neelapushpi

Varieties & adulterants

  1. Plumbago zeylanica
  2. Plumbago rosea
  3. Plumbago indica
  4. Plumbago auriculata

Morphology:

  • Habit: Woody, evergreen, sprawling or climbing shrub, up to 2–3 m in height
  • Leaves: Alternate, oblong to spatulate, 4–8 cm long, green, glabrous
  • Flowers: Pale blue, tubular, five-lobed petals in terminal clusters (spikes)
  • Stem: Thin, somewhat woody, climbing or spreading
  • Root: Slender, tapering, yellowish to brown, pungent

Habitat & Distribution:

Native to South Africa, widely naturalized in India, especially in southern states as a hedge or garden plant.

Chemical composition:

  • Plumbagin (active naphthoquinone compound)
  • Sitosterol
  • Tannins
  • Napthoquinones
  • Flavonoids
  • Essential oils
  • Alkaloids (trace)

Properties:

  • Rasa: Katu, Tikta
  • Guna: Laghu, Tikshna, Ruksha
  • Virya: Ushna
  • Vipaka: Katu
  • Karma: Deepana, Pachana, Krimighna, Shothahara, Shulaghna

Indications:

  • Agnimandya (loss of appetite)
  • Ajeerna (indigestion)
  • Gulma (abdominal lump)
  • Krimi (helminths)
  • Kustha (skin disorders)
  • Shotha (inflammation)
  • Arsha (piles)
  • Amavata (rheumatism)
  • Katishoola (back pain)

External uses:

  • Root paste applied over joint swellings, abscess, and non-healing ulcers
  • Powder used with ghee as a lepa on skin conditions
  • Applied externally for itching, eczema, and boils

Internal uses:

  • Digestive stimulant in Agnimandya, Anorexia, flatulence
  • Used as Krimighna for deworming
  • Employed in treating chronic skin diseases, arthritis, and piles
  • Enhances liver function and corrects metabolism

Srotogamitwa:

  • Dosha: Kapha-Vatahara
  • Dhatu: Rasa, Mamsa, Rakta
  • Srotas: Annavaha, Raktavaha, Twak, Purishavaha

Parts used:

Root, leaf

Dosage:

  • Churna (root powder): 250–500 mg (with honey or ghee)
  • Kwatha (decoction): 20–30 ml
  • Lepa: Quantity sufficient for topical application

Important Yogas or Formulations:

  1. Chitrakadi Vati
  2. Panchakola Churna
  3. Chitraka Haritaki Avaleha
  4. Chitrakagudadi Leha
  5. Arshoghna Taila

Therapeutic Uses:

  1. Agnimandya & Grahani – Stimulates digestion and improves assimilation
  2. Kustha & Krimi – Acts as skin detoxifier and anti-parasitic
  3. Shotha & Shoola – Used in pain and inflammation, especially in rheumatic conditions
  4. Arsha (Piles) – Applied locally and administered internally for reducing pile mass
  5. Udara Roga – In abdominal disorders and bloating

IUCN Status : Not Evaluated

Research Updates :

  1. Anticancer Activity (2020) – Plumbagin demonstrated cytotoxic effects against multiple cancer cell lines
  2. Antibacterial and Antifungal (2021) – Methanolic root extract showed inhibition of Candida albicans and E. coli
  3. Anti-inflammatory (2022) – Ethanolic extract reduced edema in paw models in rats
  4. Neuroprotective Study (2023) – Plumbagin was shown to reduce oxidative stress in brain tissue models
  5. Anti-obesity Potential (2024) – Animal trials showed fat metabolism regulation with root extract supplementation
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