Home › Catalogue › Sarpagandha (Indian Snakeroot / Serpentine Wood)
Sarpagandha (Indian Snakeroot / Serpentine Wood)
Rauvolfia serpentina
ପାତାଳଗରୁଡ଼ (Patalagaruda)सर्पगंधा (Sarpagandha)Sarpagandha
- Family
- Apocynaceae
- Origin
- Indian subcontinent
- Plant Type
- Shrub
- Habitat
- Outdoor
About the Plant
Erect glabrous perennial undershrub with pale bark; whorls of 3-4 elliptic-lanceolate membranous shiny leaves, and terminal cymes of white or pink-tinged tubular flowers.
Traditional Uses
Hypertension, psychosis, schizophrenia, insomnia, anxiety, and tachycardia
Parts Used
Roots, rhizomes
Ayurvedic Properties
- Rasa: Tikta
- Guna: Ruksha
- Virya: Ushna
- Vipaka: Katu
Health Benefits
- Lowers systemic blood pressure, sedates excited central nervous system, and treats psychosis
Precautions
Contraindicated in severe depression, active peptic ulcer, and bradycardia; can cause severe depression
Interesting Facts
Reserpine isolated from this plant revolutionized modern psychiatric medicine in the 1950s