By the Zespo team · Updated 26 October 2026
Kutki, also called katuki, is Picrorhiza kurroa, a small perennial herb that grows on rocky slopes of the Himalayas at around 3,000 to 5,000 metres, from Kashmir and Himachal to Sikkim and Nepal.
A very bitter root
The part used is the rhizome (underground stem) and roots. They are intensely bitter, which is reflected in the name: "picro" means bitter in Greek, and "kutki" comes from the Sanskrit katuka, meaning pungent or bitter. Kutki appears in classical Ayurvedic texts.
A plant under pressure
Wild kutki grows slowly and has been heavily collected, so it is listed as a threatened species in parts of its range. Responsible suppliers source from cultivated or regulated harvests.
On the label
Kutki supplements list either root powder or a standardised extract, often to compounds called kutkosides. Check which one, and the amount per serving.
What to check before you buy
- The amount of each ingredient per serving, not just per capsule
- How many capsules make one serving and how many servings are in the pack
- Whether any ingredient sits inside an undisclosed "proprietary blend"
- An FSSAI licence number and the veg/non-veg mark on the pack
Label facts: Zespo Kutki 500 mg - 90 Veg Capsules
- Classical Ayurvedic Himalayan herb, standardised root extract
- 500 mg in one daily capsule
- Single herb, no liver blend padding
- Made in India in a GMP-certified facility, FSSAI-licensed
See Zespo Kutki 500 mg - 90 Veg Capsules on zespo.in · Also on Amazon.in (search "Zespo").
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Zespo products are food supplements, not medicines. This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Take supplements as directed on the label and speak to a qualified healthcare professional if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or have a medical condition.
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