Botanical Name: Rauwolfia Serpentina
Family: Apocynaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Gentianales
Genus: Rauvolfia
Species: R. serpentina
Synonyms:
*Ophioxylon album Gaertn.
*Ophioxylon obversum Miq.
*Ophioxylon salutiferum Salisb.
*Ophioxylon serpentinum L.
*Ophioxylon trifoliatum Gaertn.
*Rauvolfia obversa (Miq.) Baill.
*Rauvolfia trifoliata (Gaertn.) Baill.
Common Names: Indian snakeroot, Devil pepper, or Serpentine wood
English Name: Indian Snake Wood, Serpentine Wood
Hindi Name: Sarpagandha, Chandrabagha, Chota chand
Sanskrit Name: Sarpagandha, Chandarmar
Ayurvedic Name: Sarpagandha
Bengali : Chandra
Kannada: Sutranavi, Patalagondhi, Shivavabhiballi, Sarpagandhi
Malayalam: Suvapavalforiyan, Chuvanna-vilpori
Tamil : Chivan amelpodi
Indonesia: pule pandak
Telugu : Paataala goni, Paataala garuda
Urdu: Asrel
Oriya: Sanochada, Patalgarur
Habitat: Rauwolfia Serpentina is native to the Indian subcontinent and East Asia (from India to Indonesia). It grows in India in the sub-Himalayan regions up to 1,000 metres.
Description:
Rauwolfia Serpentina is a perrinal undershrub. IIt grows up to around 2 feet in height, leaves are oval present in whorl of 3 with paler green below and dark green above, tip is acuminate and base is slender and tapering.. Flowers are Irregular corymbose white flowers with violet tinge and fruits are oval and fleshy of around 1 cm long, on ripening color turns to shiny purple black. The plant has milky sap.
. The plant has milky sap.
Medicinal Uses:
Rauwolfia Serpentina roots are used for the medicinal purposes. Its roots contain the highest amount of active substances, which are beneficial as anti-anxiety, sedative, antihypertensive, and relaxing effects.
Ayurvedic Uses:
Sarpagandha mainly works on VATA DOSHA and KAPHA DOSHA. Therefore, Sarpagandha is most suitable for individuals with VATA and KAPHA dominant symptoms. Sarpagandha may not be suitable for patients with PITTA DOSHA manifestations or should be used with a proper care if required especially with milk. For decreasing its side effects, which occurs due to its effects on the Pitta Dosha, other medicines like Mukta Pishti, Praval Pishti, Rose Flowers or Gulkand, Kushta Zamurd or Panna Pishti, Centella Asiatica, Shankhpushpi, etc. should be used along with it.
Rauwolfia serpentina, also known as Sarpagandha or Indian Snakeroot, is used in Ayurveda as a medicine for hypertension, high blood pressure (bp), anxiety, insomnia (sleeplessness), and central nervous system disorders. It is a natural and effective anti-inflammatory and analgesic Ayurvedic medicinal herb.
Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rauvolfia_serpentina
https://www.ayurtimes.com/rauwolfia-serpentina-sarpagandha/
