Ayurveda Initiative For Global Health

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), fla...

Some common medicinal plants of Bonai Forest Division 1. Rotheca serrata Family - Lamiaceae Medicinal uses - A decoction of the stem is used as an antimalarial. 2. Begonia picta Family - Begoniaceae Medicinal uses - Paste of young shoot is applied in cuts and wounds. 3. Rauvolfia serpentina Family - Apocynaceae Medicinal uses - It is used to treat severe agitation in patients with mental disorders. 4. Globba marantina Family - Zingiberaceae Medicinal uses - Roots and leaves is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. 5. Sida cordifolia Family - Malvaceae Medicinal uses - Crushed whole plant is used for joint pain. 6. Richardia scabra Family - Rubiaceae Medicinal uses - The extract of this plant is used to cure skin diseases. 7. Aeginetia indica Family - Orobanchaceae Medicinal uses - It is used to treat diabetes. Sugimani Marndi (Biodiversity and conservation lab., Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, Cuttack,Odisha) www.aprf.co.in