Insanity Herb
Campaigns Published
Campaigns Unpublished
No Content Unpublished
Scientific name
Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth
Common name
Indian Snakeroot
Malayalam name
സർപ്പഗന്ധി
English Name
Insanity herb
Description
- Habit : Shrub
- Habitat : Shady places in moist forests. Sunny or shaded places in well-drained rain forest
- Leaves : large, in whorls of three - dark green above and pale green below
- Flowers : white, pinkish or red, occurring in whorls
- Fruits : tiny, oval, fleshy which turn a shiny purple-black when ripe
Uses
Hypertension, blood pressure,wounds and itches
Parts used
Whole plant
How to use
- Lower BP : They are used particularly in the treatment of hypertension, where they are said to cause a lowering of the blood pressure without dangerous side effects,and are considered a specific in the treatment of insanity.
- Bowel infection : They are also used in decoction to treat painful affections of the bowels and to increase uterine contractions when giving birth.
- Wound and Itches : The juice of the leaves is used to remove opacities of the cornea of the eyes and also to treat wounds and itches.
- Poisoning : The bark, leaves, and roots are used against snake and scorpion poisoning.
Conservation
Propagation & Cultivation
The most common method, with highest germination from fresh, heavy seeds. Seeds should be soaked for 24 hours before sowing, ideally in April-May. About 6-7 kg of seeds are required for 1 hectare.Stem Cutting: 15-20 cm long hardwood cuttings with 3-4 nodes are planted in nurseries during June-July. It requires fertile, acidic (4–6), well-drained soil and high moisture, with regular irrigation (20-day intervals in summer, 30 in winter). Harvesting occurs after 18 months, usually in December, by digging up the roots, which contain high-value alkaloids like reserpine.
