Chirata (Swertia chirayita) has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic and other South Asian systems of medicine for the treatment of febrile illnesses, including malaria. Historical texts and ethnobotanical surveys document its use as a bitter tonic and febrifuge, believed to help "purify the blood" and reduce fever. The plant contains several bioactive compounds, such as swertiamarin, amarogentin, and swerchirin, which have been hypothesized to possess antimalarial properties. However, the scientific validation for its effectiveness against malaria is limited. Some laboratory studies have shown that certain extracts of Swertia chirayita display mild antiplasmodial activity in vitro, but these effects are generally weak compared to standard antimalarial drugs, and clinical studies in humans are lacking or insufficient.

Thus, the use of Chirata for malaria is primarily rooted in traditional practice rather than robust scientific evidence. While its bitter principles were once thought to have a general "cooling" and detoxifying effect during fevers, modern research has not substantiated its efficacy or safety for malaria treatment. The continued use in some communities is more reflective of cultural heritage and local availability than of proven therapeutic benefit.