Picrorhiza kurroa is an herbaceous perennial plant in the family Orobanchaceae, native to the Himalayan region of India and Nepal. It grows to 30–70 cm (12–28 in) tall, with a rhizomatous root system. The leaves are pinnate, with 5–7 pairs of narrowly oblong leaflets. The flowers are borne in racemes, each flower with a violet or purple tubular corolla 5–6 mm (0.2–0.2 in) long. The fruit is a capsule containing numerous small black seeds. Picrorhiza kurroa is traditionally used in Ayurvedic and Tibetan medicine. It is reputed to have various medicinal properties, including liver protection, anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer activity. The main active constituents of Picrorhiza kurroa are the iridoid glycosides, including kutkin (picrorhizin). Clinical trials have shown that Picrorhiza kurroa extract has hepatoprotective activity and can be useful in the treatment of hepatitis and other liver disorders. Picrorhiza kurroa is generally considered to be safe, with few side effects.