chiretta
|chi-ret-ta|
/tʃɪˈrɛtə/
bitter medicinal herb
Etymology
'chiretta' originates from Hindi/Nepali, specifically the word 'chirayata' (also spelled 'chiraita'), where the local name referred to the plant known for its strong bitter taste.
'chirayata' entered English botanical usage from South Asian vernacular names for the plant (Hindi/Nepali) and eventually became recorded in English as 'chiretta' in botanical and medicinal texts.
Initially the term referred to the local name for the same bitter plant; over time it retained this meaning and became the standard English name for the species in some botanical and medicinal contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a bitter medicinal herb (Swertia chirayita) native to the Himalayan region and widely used in traditional South Asian medicine for fever, digestive complaints, and as a tonic.
Chiretta has long been used in Ayurvedic preparations to help reduce fever and improve digestion.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/26 02:05