Sanskrit name- Krishna vasa
Botanical name – Justica gendarussa
Family- Acanthaceae
Identification No – SDACH/HG/113
HABITAT–
It is commonly found along steams at low and medium altitude
MORPHOLOGY: Justica gendarussa Is an erect. branched, smooth. undershrub to 1.5 meter tall.
Leaves: Lanceolate to 14 cm long, pointed at ends.
Flowers: Small, in 4 to 12 cm long spikes, at the end of branches or in leaf axils. They are White or Pink coloured with purple spots.
Fruit: Capsule, club shaped, about 12mm long, smooth.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION:
The leaves contain beta-sitosterol, an alkalo id, lupeol, friedelin, and aromatic amines’ The phytochemical screening also showed the presence of terpenoids, flavanoids, gly.
cosides, tannins and saponnins \
KARMA: It acts as Jwaraghna (antipyretic), Kaphanissarak
(antitussive),Vamaka(emetic), Virechaka(purgative)
USES: In respiratory disorders 2 to 4 leaves of Krishna vasa is administered along with Apamarga(Achyranthes aspera Linn.) and madhu(honey). In pneumonia 4 leaves of Krishna vasa along with bark of Shigru(Moringa pterigosperma) and Madhu is to be given.In Jwara(fever) it produces sweating & in Aamavata (arthritis) externally decotion is used to relive pain. It is administered with sarshap taila for vamana Infusion of leaves is given internally in phalalgia, hemiplagia and facial paralysis The leaf juice is used in the treatment of earache. The bitter root is anodyne, diaphoretic, diuretic & laxative.
IUCN Status – Not Evaluated
Research Updates-
Recent scientific studies have shown that the extract from the Justicia gendarussa leaf helps in providing immunity from the novel human influenza virus HIN1 (swine flu)12 Further in animal experiments it was observed that ethanolic extract from leaves of Justica gendarussa can decrease serum uric acid level in hyperuremic rats The alkaloid extract from leaves of Justicia genda- russa Burm. was found to be most significant inhibitor of gram positive bacterial species.
