Botanical name : Anisomeles malabarica (Linn.) R.Br
Family : Labiatae; Lamiaceae.
SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Vaikundha, Mahadrona, Sprikka
AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Lakhu, Rooksha
Virya : Ushna
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Malabar Catmint
Hindi : Chodhara
Malayalam : Karimtumba, Karintumba,
Distribution : Found throughout South India, in higher elevations.
PLANT DESCRIPTION
A small perennial shrub grows up to 1.5 meters in height. Leaves simple, opposite, very thick, aromatic, oblong-lanceolate, acute, pale above, white below, crenate-serrate, softly woolly: flowers purple, in dense whorls of more or less interrupted spikes; fruits nutlets, bearing ellipsoid and compressed seeds.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha, epilepsy, hysteria, dementia, anorexia, dyspepsia, colic, flatulence, intestinal worms, fever arising from teething in children, intermittent fevers, arthritis, especially gout, swellings and diarrhea.
Useful part : Whole plant.
CHEMICAL CONTENTS
The plant contains beta-sitosterol, letulinic acid, ovatodiolide and anisomelic acid. The essential oil from tops and flowers yield a terpene hydrocarbon, citral and geranic acid.
Photos : Dr. Eby Abraham MD.
Mainscreen >
A > ANISOMELES MALABARICA
Future of Ayurveda - Malayalam
Properties 