Botanical name : Melastoma malabathricum Linn.
Family : Melastomataceae (Rosaceae)
SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Kshudra Jaleshani, Kharapatri, Svabhrapushpi
AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Tikta, Kashaya
Guna : Lakhu, Rooksha
Virya : Seeta
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Indian Rhododendron
Hindi : Laakheri
Malayalam : Cheriya Atiranipoovu, Cheriya Atiranipoo, Cheriya atirani, Cherukadali, Cherukadali poov.
Distribution – Growing throughout India, on moist places.
PLANT DESCRIPTION
An extensively spreading creeping plant grows parallel to ground. Nodes bare succulent roots. Leaves small long petiolate, simple, opposite, ovate-lanceolate, acute, and prominently veined, both surfaces are scrubby. Flowers bright red to pink colored and showy. Fruits fleshy, hairy hips enclosing small and blackish seeds.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, inflammation, urinary tract infection, hemorrhage, wound, ulcer, menorrhagia, diarrhea, hemorrhoids and leucorrhea, viral diseases especially small pox, and infections Presence of this plant is an indication of pure underground water. This plant is on the verge of extinction due to water pollution and manmade destructive activities.
Useful part : Whole plant
CHEMICAL CONTENTS
The leaves gave amino acids—glycine, valine, leucine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, methionine, tyrosine, isoleucine and hydroxyproline. The roots gave beta-sitosterol and a triterpene, melastomic acid.
Photo: Dr. Eby Abraham MD
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Properties 