The entire plant, Ophelia chirata. Collected in Northern India.

Characters.-Stems about three feet long, of the thickness of a goose-quill, round, smooth, pale brown, branched; branches opposite; flowers small, numerous, panicled; the whole plant intensely bitter.

Composition.-Chiretta contains an active bitter principle, chiratin, combined with ophelic acid, as well as the ordinary constituents of plants.

Substances resembling Chiretta: Dulcamara, Lobelia, Cannabis, which have no bitter taste.

Preparations.

1. Infusum Chiratae-1 in 40. Dose, 1 to 2 fl.oz.

2. Tinctura Chiratae,-1 in 8. Dose, 15 to 60 min.

Action And Uses

Chiretta is an aromatic bitter, almost identical in its action and uses with gentian; but may be given with iron.