Herb · Asia
White leadwort
Plumbago zeylanica
Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, stimulates the stomach, stimulates appetite; externally skin-irritant for rheumatism, paralysis, enlarged glands, leucoderma and skin diseases; tincture antipyretic.
Safety notes
Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose. Poisonous in large doses, abortifacient. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Ayurvedic materia medica: Poisonous in large doses, abortifacient. Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.
Preparation
Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.
Use in traditions
Described in the Ayurvedic materia medica. Sanskrit name: Chitraka. In Ayurveda the root (chitraka) is one of the strongest remedies for kindling the digestion (agni). The fresh juice raises blisters; it used to be used to induce abortion.
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.
Ayurvedic materia medica
Attributed effects
Cleansing, stimulates the stomach, stimulates appetite; externally skin-irritant for rheumatism, paralysis, enlarged glands, leucoderma and skin diseases; tincture antipyretic.
Preparation and amount
Traditionally used forms: tincture, powder, oil (partly external).
Caution: Poisonous in large doses, abortifacient. Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- TincturePowder and kitchen