Conventional medicine is the most cost-effective and readily available form of therapy within the foundation of healthcare. Medicinal plants have long been recognized as a promising resource for treating many ailments, either by traditional preparations or by extracting purified active components. In many impoverished countries, these plants sometimes serve as the sole supply of medication for the majority of the population. The herb Swertia chirata , which belongs to the Gentianaceae family, is a well-known medicinal herb that is native to the Himalayas and khasi hills, and it is utilized in traditional medicine to treat a wide variety of conditions. Not only has the widespread use of this plant brought it to the brink of extinction, but market sellers have also been known to engage in adulteration. This article aims to review the current data available in various samhitas, nighantus, books, previous published articles on the habitat, morphological description, chemical constituents, their pharmacological action, therapeutic uses, substitutes and adulterants.