The dried plant Ophelia Chirata; collected when the fruit begins to form. 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. - Ophelic acid, soluble in water and forming a soluble compound with tannic acid; and chiratin, soluble in warm water and forming an insoluble compound with tannic acid. Both substances are intensely bitter.

Preparations.

B.P.

Dose.

Infusum Chiratae (1 in 40 of water at 120o F.)...................................

1-2 fl. oz.

Tinctura Chiratae ...............................................................................

1/2-2 fl. dr.

U.S.P.

Extractum Chiratae Fluidm..................................................................

15-30 min.

Tinctura Chiratae ..................................................................................

1/2-2 fl. dr.

Fig, 209. Chiretta, half the natural size.

Fig, 209. - Chiretta, half the natural size.

Uses. - As a bitter tonic like gentian. It has been supposed by some to be specially useful in disorders of the liver.