Family Name: Apocynaceae
Botanical Name(s): Rauwolfia serpentina
Popular Name(s): Nakuli, Chota-Chand, Kanakachandrika
Parts Used: Root
Habitat: Sarpa-gandha is found in India, Sri Lanka, Burma and
Thailand.
Description: Sarpa-gandha is an evergreen, erect, perennial herb
with a tuberous root which grows to a height up to 60 cm. Its leaves
occur in whorls of three and bear a bright green colour on the above and
a pale green colour below. The herb possesses white coloured flowers and
its drupes are purplish black.
Uses: Sarpa-gandha is a bitter tonic and is used as a febrifuge
and sedative. It is used to cure fevers, insomnia and dysentery. It
lowers high blood pressure also.
