Rhinacanthus nasuta (L.) KURZ.

Family : Acanthaceae

English Name : Snake Jasmine

Origin : Africa to Indo-Malaysia

Description

A diffuse subshrub; branchlets hirsute. Leaves elliptic to oblanceolate, base acute, apex acute; petiole 2 cm. Panicles terminal or in upper axils, divaricate, ending in cymes, peduncle 15 cm; bracts and bracteoles lanceolate. Calyx lobes 5, linear-lanceolate, basally connate. Corolla white, upper lip linear and lower one broader. Stamens 2. Ovary pubescent. Fruit capsule, ellipsoid, with a basal beak. Seeds 4, orbicular, rugose.

Habitat
Forests of India

Parts Used : Root, leaf and flower

Herb Effects

Revulsive, depurative, anthelmintic, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, antiparasitic, and anticancerous (plant); antiseptic (root and leaf) and antiparasitic (root).

Active Ingredients
Rhinacanthin (root) and rutin (flower)

Medicinal Use

For skin diseases and as an antiseptic (root and leaf). Used to treat obesity, helminthiasis, septic ulcers, leprosy, eczema, ringworm, prickly heat, herpes, scurvy, inflammation and cancer, goitre.

Reference