Holarrhena pubescens (Buch.-Ham.) Wall. ex DC. syn. H. antidysenterica (Linn.) ( Apocynaceae) Vern. kurchi This plant is especially abundant in the sub-Himalayan tract. The used part is bark. The bark has astringent, antidysenteric, anthelmintic, stomachic, febrifugal and tonic properties. It is used in the treatment of amoebic dysentery and diarrhoea, and is usually administered as extract or decoction. Although slow in action as compared with emetine, it is less toxic and can be administered orally. Kurchi bark is given either alone or with other astringent drugs in piles, colic, dyspepsia, chest affections and diuresis ; it is also used for diseases of the skin and spleen. A hot decoction of the drug is used as a gargle in toothache. The plant bark is used in Amoebic dysentery and diarrhoea, piles, colic, dyspepsia, chest affections, skin and spleen diseases. The therapeutic value of kurchi is due to the presence of alkaloids which occur as tannates. The therapeutic value of kurchi is due to the presence of alkaloids which occur as tannates. The principal alkaloid of kurchi is conessine (yield, 0.4%), a stenol with a structure resembling 7-ergosten-3-ol and Y-stigmastenol.