- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and South-East Asia. Rauvolfia serpentina
- Sanskrit
- Sarpagandha
- Other names
- Slangenwortel
- Traditions
- Ayurveda, Unani medicine, Western herbal medicine
Asia · Herb · № 181
Rauvolfia serpentina
Herb · Asia
Indian snakeroot
Rauvolfia serpentina
The root contains reserpine, which lowers blood pressure and has a sedative effect. In the 1950s reserpine was one of the first modern antihypertensives and antipsychotics, but it has largely been replaced by drugs with fewer side effects.
Safety notes
May cause severe depression, drowsiness, low blood pressure, nasal congestion and stomach ulcers, and interacts with many medicines. Do not self-medicate. The wild plant is threatened by overharvesting and listed in CITES Appendix II.
Cautions by tradition (2)
- Western herbalism: Not in pregnancy or breastfeeding, overdose can cause trembling and convulsions. Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.
- Ayurvedic materia medica: Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.
Preparation
No preparation for home use: the active compound is only used as a prescribed medicine. No dosage is given here.
Use in traditions
In Ayurveda the plant is called sarpagandha ('snake scent') and was used for snakebite, fever, insomnia and mental illness. Reserpine was isolated in 1952, after which the plant became known in medicine worldwide. Ody describes it as an Ayurvedic herb that influenced Western pharmacology.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Western herbalism
Attributed effects
Lowers blood pressure, relaxing; quickly lowers acute high blood pressure (reserpine), promotes sleep, calms agitated mental states.
Preparation and amount
Traditionally used forms: tincture.
Caution: Not in pregnancy or breastfeeding, overdose can cause trembling and convulsions. Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.
Ayurvedic materia medica
Attributed effects
Bitter tonic, strongly calming, fever-reducing, lowers blood pressure; for insomnia, hypochondria, irritability of the nervous system, insanity, dysentery and painful intestines; promotes contractions.
Preparation and amount
Traditionally used forms: decoction, powder.
Caution: Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- DecoctionTincturePowder and kitchen