Common Name:

General Information

Swertia racemosa is an erect, annual plant with erect stems around 8 - 40cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Nepal, northeast India, southern Tibet

Habitat

Open slopes, meadows, shrubland, rocky areas; at elevations from 3,000 - 5,000 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.25 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 powder made from the whole plant is used in the treatment of bile disorders, coughs, colds, fevers, headaches, loss of appetite, and heart diseases[].
A decoction of the plant or the powdered plant is taken to treat fevers, malarial fever, jaundice, diabetes, coughs and coldss and headaches[].

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.