Adhatoda vasica
Adhatoda vasica is a beautiful, much branched, evergreen shrub commonly found in the Indian Jungles. It is also found as an understory shrub in Delhi Ridge. The plant is known as Bansa or Adusa in Hindi. It belongs to family Acanthaceae. The plant may grow to a length of three meters and has lance-shaped leaves. It bears attractive white flowers with purple markings on the spikes. The fruit is a four-seeded capsule.
Uses:
Adhatoda plant is used in traditional Ayurveda from many centuries. The plant is rich in alkaloids, especially the roots and leaves of the plants. The main alkaloid is vasicine. The plant is very useful in curing respiratory diseases like asthma, coughs and bronchitis. Therefore, the plant is an important constituent of the cough syrups. The plant is also useful in relieving pyorrhoea and muscular spasms and cramps. The leaves of the plants are not touched by herbivores and they are also resistant to attack from insects and fungi. Therefore, they are used as an insecticide. Due to all its uses, the Adhatoda vasica is apt to be called as a miraculous plant.
Gardening Notes:
The plant grows in dry areas without much assistance and can be easily propagated by cuttings and seeds. You can also try growing this native plant in large pots at your home with ease.
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