Rauvolfia serpentina (Hindi-Sarpagandha/Chandrika, Marathi-Adakayi/Harki/Sapasanda, Gujarati-Amelpodi, Sanskrit-Chandramara/Maarayati, Bengali-Nakuli/Chandar/Sugandhanakuli, Tamil-Carpakanta/Sarpaganti, Telugu-Patala garuda/Patalagani,vMalayalam-Chivan Amalpodi, Popular-Indian snakeroot/Insanity herb/Rauvolfia root)Apocynaceae.It is a climbing, evergreen, perennial shrub growing upto 60 cm with cylindrical stems.Leaves are generally found in whorls of three.The flowers are white, sometimes violet.Fruits are oval,fleshy and tiny,turning shiny purple-black on ripening.Roots are tuberous.It mostly found in moist deciduous forests at altitudes from sea level to 1200 m.It is an endangered species in many parts of India.As supply is much less than its demand,there are more chances of adulteration.It has antioxidant, antibacterial,anti inflammatory, analgesic, antispasmodic ,hypotensive and sedative activities.It contains phenols, alkaloids (Reserpine,serpentine,ajmaline,etc), flavonoids,tannins,Ca,P,Mg,K,Na,Zn,Fe,and vitamins (C,B1,B2,B3).It is widely used for high BP.It is used in the treatment of hypertension, hysteria,wounds,worms infestation, diabetes,skin diseases, irregular heart beats,gynecological problems, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal disorders like anorexia, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, recurrent and chronic fever, Insanity, epilepsy, snake bites, scorpion sting,insect bites.It is well known medicine for mentally upset people.It can regularise menstruation when used with ginger and black pepper.It is an effective herb for high BP,colic and cholera.The root is given in difficult child birth.It is useful in uterine contraction,cobra bite, scorpion/reptile bites and stings of any poisonous insects.
– Mukherjee Bk
