The trade name rauwolfia is referred to a 16th century German botanist & physician Leonard raulwolfia. He introduced this indigenous herb to western countries. This plant is believed to have been used in Indian system of medicine for about 4000 years. In ancient times, physicians of India & the Malayan peninsula used its roots as an antidote for the bites of poisonous reptiles & insects. That is why it acquired the name as sarpagantha in Indian it is also used as a febrifuge or fever relieving reptiles & insects. This is an erected herb with a smooth stem. The drug lousists of the dried root with their bark intact preferably collected in autumn from three or four year old plants. This herb was introduced to the modern system of medicine by Dr. Ganpath Sen & Dr. Kartik Chandra Bose, renowned Ayurvedic physician of Calcutta. Based on their studies it has been found that the roots contain several alkaloids, the more important being two chemical classes know as the ajmaline & the serpentine group. The quantity of the total alkaloids has been estimated to be fairly high in the dried roots, the roots also contain a lot of resin & starch & when incinerated, leave an ash consisting mainly of potassium carbonate, phosphate, silicate & traces of iron & manganese.

CURATIVE PROPERTIES: -

The herb is an effective drug in lowering blood pressure. It is also used to reduce fever during delivery, it is said to stimulate uterine contractions & promote the expulsion of the foetus. This however is not corroborated and may be regarded as folklore.

INSANITY: -

The plant is effective in treating insanity. It is popularly know as Pagal-Ka-Dawa or a medicine for insanity. It is sold in some parts of India specially in the states of U.P. & Bihar under this name and is commonly used by practitioners of the indigenous system of medicine one gram of the powdered root can be taken twice a day with 250 ML of goats milk sweetened with sugar candy. Everyone suffering from insanity will not however be benefited by rauwolfia.Physically weak & melancholic patients should have their blood pressures examined before the treatment and if found abnormal, high rauwolfia can be tried. As such it is unsuitable for those with a low blood pressure.

INSOMNIA: -

The herb is effective in treating insomnia because of its sedative properties. Consequently, the drugs apparently abused by the poorer classes in Bihar states of India, who administer it to infants, induce sleep. The very first dose of nature to go to sleep about 0.60 to 1.25 grams of the powder of its root is mixed with some scented vehicle and taken it is non-stimulating and should be given in doses of 0.25 grams to the patient at bedtime for sound sleep. A chronic patient should take 0.25 grams both in the morning and at night before retiring.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE: -

Rauwolfia is the best remedy for high blood pressure and it has been adapted by medical fraternity in most countries especially American countries. Those alkaloids, which have a direct effect on hypertension, have been isolated in it and are widely, used by the practitioners which modern medicine. But they have certain unpleasant side effects which the drug taken in its raw form, dose not have practitioners of Ayurved and unani medicines have preferred to use its root in a powdered form half a teaspoon of which taken thrice a day is effective in relieving hypertension.

HYSTERIA: -

Rauwlofia is also very effective in treating hysteria. One gram of powdered root can be administered thrice with milk. Treatment should be continued till a complete cure is obtained.

URTICARIA: -

Rauwolfia relives itching in urticaria. One gram of powdered root can be taken with water.