Rauwolfia Plant Health Benefits

Indian traditional medicine has used the root of the rauwolfia plant since ancient times to calm nervousness and as an antidote against snake and spider bites. Modern pharmaceutical research has discovered valuable active components against high blood pressure in this plant, which is currently used in several pharmaceutical preparations.

Healing Properties and Warning

The root of the rauwolfia plant contains twenty different types of alkaloids, the most important of which is reserpine. It has hypotensive and nervous system sedative properties, all due to its depressive action on the subcortex and thalamic centers of the brain.

Rauwolfia is highly effective in treating arterial hypertension, a common disease in the First World. It also renders good results in persistent insomnia, psychosis, and other mental disorders. Another alkaloid of rauwolfia is ajmaline, which has anti-arrhythmia properties.

WARNING! Reserpine in rauwolfia is a very active alkaloid; thus, the plant and its extracts must be used under medical supervision.

Rauwolfia Plant Scientific Facts

1. French: Arbre aux serpents, rauwolfia.
2. Spanish: Rauwolfia.
3. Environment: It is native to the tropical regions of Asia, especially India, where it is farmed for medicinal purposes. At present, it is also cultivated in Central America.
4. Description: This shrub of the Apocynaceae family grows up to one meter high. Its leaves have pinned ends, and white or pink flowers grow in umbels.
5. Parts of the plant used medicinally: The root.

How to use Rauwolfia

1. Root powder: The medium dose is 100-200 mg twice daily. It should be taken dissolved in a gulp of water. The maximum dose is one gram a day.
2. Pharmaceutical preparations based on rauwolfia. These medicines indicate the recommended dose.

DISCLAIMER: All content on this website is presented solely for educational and informational objectives. Do not rely on the information provided as a replacement for advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified medical expert. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have any preexisting medical concerns, talk to your doctor before using any herbal or natural medicines.

REFERENCES

1. George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. “Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants.” George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Ed. Francesc X. Gelabert. vols. 1 San Fernando de Henares: Editorial Safeliz, 2000. 242. Print.
2. NIH: NCCIH https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6464022/
3. ResearchGate https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342672488_Reserpine

Last update on 2025-12-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API