Abstract

ROLE OF RAUWOLFIA SERPENTINA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF HYPERTENSION

Dr. Sumitra Devi Jajra* and Dr. Sukhdev Rao

Abstract

Sarpgandha (Rauwolfia serpentina) is an evergreen shrub that is a member of the Apocynaceae family. More than 100 species are included in the Rauwolfia genus, and they are native to tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Central and South Americas. Rauwolfia serpentina is native to the moist, deciduous forests of Southeast Asia, including India, Burma, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia. The plant usually grows to a height between 60 and 90 cm and has pale green leaves that are 7 to 10 cm long and 3.5 to 5.0 cm wide. The leaves are elliptical or lanceolate shaped and occur in whorls of 3 to 5 leaves. The plant has many shiny, black or purple, round fruits that are approximately 0.5 cm in diameter. It also has small pink or white flowers. The plant has a prominent tuberous, soft taproot that reaches a length between 30 and 50 cm and a diameter between 1.2 and 2.5 cm.

Keywords: Sarpgandha (Rauwolfia serpentina) is Apocynaceae between 1.2 and 2.5cm.