Rauwolfia, Ajmaline, Java devil-pepper

Rauvolfia serpentina

Physical Characteristics

Rauvolfia serpentina is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 1.5 m (5ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - China, Indian subcontinent, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Indonesia.

Habitats

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Antidote Hypnotic Hypotensive Ophthalmic Sedative Skin The roots are hypnotic, hypotensive and sedative[240 ]. They are used particularly in the treatment of hypertension, where they are said to cause a lowering of the blood pressure without dangerous side effects[46 ], and are considered a specific in the treatment of insanity[240 , 266 ]. They are also used in decoction to treat painful affections of the bowels and to increase uterine contractions when giving birth[240 , 310 ]. The juice of the leaves is used to remove opacities of the cornea of the eyes and also to treat wounds and itches[240 , 310 ]. The bark, leaves, and roots are used against snake and scorpion poisoning[266 ]. The roots yield up to 1.3% medically active alkaloids, as well as oleoresin and the sterol serposterol[240 ]. The alkaloid rauwolfine has been shown to decrease the heart rate[240 ]. Several alkaloids, including serpentine, neoajmaline and isoajmaline, produce a fall in blood pressure[240 ]. Serpentine also causes an increase in the tone of the small intestine and decrease in the peristaltic contractions of the intestine[240 ]. The alkaloid-free oleoresin extract from the roots produces sedative and hypnotic effects[240 ]. Reserpine, a highly active alkaloid, shows a very marked hypnotic effect and lowers blood pressure[240 ]. It is used in allopathic medicine[746 ].

Known Hazards

Although we have seen no specific information for this species, most if not all members of this genus contain poisonous alkaloids[K ].