Chukra (Rumex vesicarius) 

Chukra- Rumex vesicarius is an Ayurvedic herb used for the treatment of constipation, diseases of the liver, scorpion bite, snake bite, piles and vomiting.

Latin name- Rumex vesicarius Linn.
Family- Polygonaceae

Names in different languages:
English name – Bladder dock, Sorrel, Bubble dock, Rosy Dock,
Hindi  name  – Ambari, Chuka, Chukekasak
Kannada name- Chukka
Arabic name – Hamaz, Humarbostani, Humbijit
Assamese name – Sukhasag
Bengali name – Chak, Chuk, Chukapalang
Bombay         – Chuka
Burmese name – Kalakhenbour
Deccan name – Ambari, Chukka
Malayalam name – Chokkancheera
Persian name            – Tursak, Turshah, Turshunuk
Punjabi name – Kattamitha, Khatbiri, Saluni
Tamil  name  – Chukka
Telugu name   – Chukka kura

Classical categorization:
Bhavaprakasha Nighantu – Shakha varga & Hareethakyadi varga
Priya Nighantu – Hareethakyadi varga
Nighantu Adarsha – Chukrikadi varga
Kaiyadeva Nighantu – Aushadha varga
Dhanvantari Nighantu – Amradi Varga

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Polygonaceae
Genus: Rumex L.

Synonyms:
Amla, Amlabhedaka, Sinchamla, Shuktika, Sahasravedhi, Amlantaki, Rajamla, Rasamla, Vetamla, Viramla- All these names indicate the sour nature of the plant
Bhedana, Gulmaha, Beeta, Shukta, Chanda,

Morphology of Rumex vesicarius:
Chukra is a plant growing to a height of 15-3 cm. It is found in most parts of India in a state of cultivation or as a garden escape. It occurs in western Punjab, salt range and Trans-Indus hills. It grows especially in hilly areas and Himalayan zone.

Medicinal properties of Bladder dock:
Rasa (Taste) – Amla (Sour), Madhura (Sweet)
Guna (Qualities) – Laghu (Light for digestion)
Vipaka – Amla (Undergoes sour taste after digestion)
Veerya (Potency) – Ushna (Hot)
Karma (Actions) – Vata shamaka (reduces vata dosha), Kapha pitta vardaka (Increases kapha and pitta dosha)

Part used- Whole plant, Seed

Dosage-
Fresh juice- 10 to 20 ml
Powder- 2 to 3 g

Chemical composition:
Fresh and green herb contains 92% water content dried plant contain either extract 4.62%, albuminoid 16.27%, carbohydrate 57.86%, woody part 10.50% and alkaline 10.75%. Root contains Rumicin and lapathin. It also contains an anthraquinone glucoside, aminoacids, vitamins, cystine, glutamic acid, histidine etc.

Uses of Chukra:-

• The glue of the leaf of Rumex vesicarius is kept in the gums and tooth influenced with dental caries to remember torment and irritation.
• The glue of the leaf of Chukra is applied over the territory influenced with scorpion chomp to remember torment and aggravation.
• The seeds of Rumex vesicarius is simmered and powdered and is taken inside to treat scorpion chomp and the runs.
• The decoction of the plant is given in a portion of 30 ml with supernatant layer of curd and juice of pomegranate to treat loose bowels.
• The juice of the leaves of Chukra is somewhat warmed and introduced into the ears to treat ear infection.
• The decoction of the entire plant is given in a portion of 50 ml to treat hepatomegaly and heaps.
• New squeeze of the leaf of Chukra is given in a portion of 10 ml to treat regurgitating.
• Rice slop overflowed with Chukra and nagakesara (Mesua ferrea) is given to treat draining heaps and looseness of the bowels related with blood.

Uses of Chukra as per Ayurveda: 
Pittakrut – Increases Pitta Dosha
Rakrakrut – can increase bleading disorders
Vatashamana – Balances Vata Dosha
Bastishuddhikara – cleanses and detoxifies kidneys and bladder
Deepana – improves digestion strength
Pachana – Digestive, relieves Ama Dosha
Sara – induces mobility, causes diarrhea, purgation, relieves constipation

Indicated in – 
Shoola – abdominal colic pain
Gulma – Tumors of the abdomen
Vibandha – constipation
Amavata – rheumatoid arthritis
Vami – vomiting
Trushna – excessive thirst
Asyavairasya – bad berath
Hrutpeeda – Cardiac pain
Vahnimandya – low digestion strength

Pharmacological action:
Laxative, stomachic. It is useful in tumours, constipation, alcoholism, diseases of spleen, hiccough, flatulence, asthma, bronchitis, dyspepsia, vomiting & piles.

Adverse effects: There are no known adverse effects of the herb Chukra
It is best to avoid this in high Pitta disorders such as diseases associated with excess bleeding.
Because it acts as laxative, it is not suitable for people with diarrhea.

Ayurvedic medicines containing Chukra:
Marma gulika: Marma Gulika is a tablet, used in Ayurvedic treatment of diseases of Marma places – vital organs, means, diseases related to heart, brain, urinary system etc. It is also used to treat external injury to vital organs of the body.

Research articles related to Rumex vesicarius:

Hepato protective action: To assess the hepatoprotective potential and in vitro cytotoxicity investigations of entire plant methanol concentrate of Rumex vesicarius L. Methanol extricate at a portion of 100 mg/kg bw and 200 mg/kg bw were surveyed for its hepato-defensive potential against CCl4-initiated hepatotoxicity by checking movement levels of SGOT (Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase), SGPT (Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase), ALP (Alkaline phosphatase), TP (Total protein), TB (Total bilirubin) and SOD (Superoxide dismutase), CAT (Catalase), MDA (Malondialdehyde). Pretreatment of creatures with entire plant methanol concentrates of Rumex vesicarius L. essentially decreased the liver harm and the side effects of liver injury by rebuilding of engineering of liver. The biochemical boundaries in serum additionally improved in rewarded bunches contrasted with the control and standard (silymarin) gatherings. Histo obsessive examination further certified these biochemical perceptions. 

Anti- bacterial action:The fundamental point of this exploration work is to assess antibacterial and cancer prevention agent exercises of various plant portions of Rumex vesicarius L. The example of hindrance, action record and extent file demonstrated exceptionally critical varieties as indicated by varieties of solvents utilized for extraction. Ether concentrate of roots was seen as the best against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes (hindrance zones=26.500, 22.000, 41.5000 and 21.500 mm separately), methanol concentrate of roots was seen as the best against Streptococcus pneumoniae (restraint zone =18.000 mm) and ethanol concentrate of blossoms was seen as best one against Escherichia coli (restraint zone =15.875 mm). 

Anti- diabetic activity: The fundamental goal of this work is to assess the in vivo enemy of diabetic action of ethanolic concentrate of Rumex vesicarius in the streptozotocin initiated diabetic rodents. Single intraperitoneal infusion (i.p.) of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg body weight) was utilized for enlistment of diabetes in pale skinned person rodents. The measurable information demonstrated that the distinctive portion of Rumex vesicarius altogether diminishes the degree of blood glucose in streptozotocin prompted rodents. This outcome showed that Rumex vesicarius can shield pancreatic βcells from streptozotocin incited harm which is affirmed by the consequences of histo obsessive assessment of pancreas. 

Anti- cancer action: The objective of the current examination was to investigate the intense job of Rumex vesicarius remove against Hepato Cellular Carcinoma (HCC) incited in rodents. The consequences of the current examination demonstrated that the treatment of the HCC bunch with R. vesicarius separate turned around the noteworthy increment in liver catalysts movement, CEA, AFP, AFU, glypican 3, golgi 73 and VEGF levels in serum when contrasted with HCC-untreated partners. Furthermore, the ideal effect of R. vesicarius treatment was confirm by the checked improvement in the histo obsessive highlights of the liver of the rewarded gathering.

Textual reference:
Susruta quoted chukra, but not cukrika and chukrika. In caraka samhita chikitsa 24/150 [ C.S.Ci 24/ 150] and A.H. Ci. 7/31 both cukrika and chukrika are mentioned together. They may be Rumex vesicarius linn and R.acetosella linn respectively.

Rumex-obtusifolius