Justicia adhatoda is a herb in the Acanthaceae family which has had long importance in India for the treatment of bronchial diseases and for inducing labour. It was first seen in Europe in 1699. The herb is also commonly known as the Malabar Nut or vasak.
Description
A bitter, expectorant shrub with a strong, tea-like odour. It relaxes spasms, lowers fever and stimulates the uterus.
Uses
The leaves are used in the preparation of any medicine. The herb contains a number of alkaloids, inlcuding vascine, also known as peganine. This compound stimulates the uterine muscles to induce or accelerate labour. The herb is grown as a source of these compounds. Medically, extracts are used for treating asthma, chronic bronchitis, tuberculosis and intermittent fever. Leaves are smoked to relieve asthma.
Another substance of interest is adhotodic acid which is a powerful poison for lower animals but not higher ones.
Cultivation
A tender crop where seeds are sown in well-drained soil in sun or partial shade, minimum 10-15 Centigrade. Often propagated by softwood cuttings in spring and early summer. Cut back the ornamental specimens hard in early spring to control size. Plants under cover may be attacked by whitefly.
leaves are collected during the growing season and dried for use in herbal smoking mixtures, liquid extracts and tinctures.
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