- Botanical Name : Rauvolfia serpentina
- English Name : Indian Snakeroot
- Sanskrit Name : Sarpagandha
- Malayalam Name : Sarpagandhi (സർപ്പഗന്ധി)
- Part Used : Root
Overview
- Rauvolfia serpentina, also spelled rauwolphia, is a medicinal shrub in the milkweed family. Its root is ground into a powder and packaged or sold in tablets or capsules. It is commonly used in Asian medicine, including traditional Ayurveda native to India.
- Active components include alkaloids, with about 50 identified, although the primary psychoactive ones appear to be reserpine, rescinn amine, and deserpidine.
Habitat
- Rauwolfia serpentina is cosmopolitan in tropical habitats, with more concentration in Africa, Asia, and America. Higher diversity is recorded in the Indian Subcontinent, especially around the Gangetic plain areas.
Phytochemistry
- Rauwolfia serpentina (serpentwood) is known in India for its tranquilizing effects. Biomolecules found include weak basic indole alkaloids, intermediate basic indole alkaloids, and strong anhydronium bases.
- The plant contains over 50 different alkaloids, with principal ones being the indole alkaloids (reserpine, rescinnamine, and deserpidine). Other bioactive biomolecules include tetrahydroserpentine, raubasine, and ajmalicine. Nonactive alkaloids include Ajmaline, isoajmaline, and raueolfinine.
Nutritional Prowess
- Plant has a chemical compound called Resperpine, helping control high blood pressure.
- Chewing the root soothes the mind, reduces stress, anxiety,and helps treat insomnia.
- Helps cleanse the stomach and promotes normal functioning, treating issues like constipation and diarrhea.
- Consuming juice or powder from dry roots is used to treat asthma, especially among South Indian tribes.
- Used as a remedy for cardiovascular disorders, controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol. Fights insomnia, but consultation with a doctor before adjusting the dosage is advisable.
- The plant’s anti-inflammatory and mood-changing properties help treat menstrual problems such as cramps, bloating, and mood swings while removing toxins from the uterine cavity.
Dermatological Perks
- In Ayurveda, the plant is used to treat skin issues like acne, boils, and eczema.
- Rauwolfia Serpentina has antibacterial and antifungal properties, reducing the severity of skin infections.
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