Creat, commonly known as Kalmegh or Hara Chirayata, is an herbal plant. It is an annual herbaceous of shrubby procumbent or erect plant and grows up to one meter high. The branches are sharply quadrangular, often narrowly winged towards the apical region. Flowers are small, with rose color corolla.
The plant is extensively used in Indian Systems of Medicine for astringent, anodyne, anit-inflammatory, immunosuppressive and alexipharmic properties. Decoction of the plant is blood purifier, used for cure of turbid liver, jaundice, dermatological diseases, dyspepsia, febrifuge and anthelminitic. Tincture of the root is used as tonic, stimulant and aperients. The plant is often used as substitute of chirayita (Swertia chirayita). The whole part of the plant is used for medicine.
Creat likes sunny situations, but it also grows in moist and shaded places. It is found throughout India.
