Common Name:

General Information

Swertia paniculata is an annual plant with erect, much-branched stems; it can grow 80 - 120cm tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - Himalayan regions from Pakistan through India and Nepal to northern Myanmar

Habitat

Scrub slopes, forests; at elevations from 2,800 - 3,300 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	1.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Swertia species are generally plants of moderate to high elevations where they are often found on damp slopes and humus-rich, peat mosses. They grow best in areas with cool summers and perennial species are generally cold-hardy to temperatures down to around -15°c[].
Swertia species generally grow well in humus-rich soils in damp, open woodland, by streams or in bog gardens[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

A decoction of the plant is used as a tonic[].

The plant is also used as substitute for Chirayita (Swertia chirayita) in the treatment of malaria and other fevers[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow in trays in spring in a humus-rich medium in temperatures not exceeding 10°c[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer.