Picrorhiza kurroa is a herb from Ayurveda that is commonlycalled Kutki or Kutaki. It contains a 'bitter principle' which is a mixture oftwo molecules, the irioid glycosides known as picroside I and picroside II(picroside II also being called kutkoside) and the mixture overall is thencalled kutkin or picroliv. Overall, these are the active components.Although itshows antioxidant, antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory activities, it is mostvalued for its hepatoprotective effect.Picrorhizas most important use is inthe treatment and prevention of liver conditions, whereby many of itsprotective influences appear to be similar to those exhibited by the herb milkthistle.