Sarpagandha

Commonly known as sarpagandha in hindi and rauwolfia, this herb is very erect with a smooth stem. The drug consists of the dried roots with their bark intact, preferably collected in autumn from three or four year old plants.
The roots of this herb contain several alkaloids, the more important being two chemical classes known as the Ajmaline and the serpentine group. . The roots also contain a lot of resin and starch and when incinerated, leave an ash consisting mainly of potassium carbonate, phosphate, silicate and traces of iron and manganese.
SPECIFICATION
Scientific name: Rauvolfia serpentina
Rank: Species
Higher classification: Rauvolfia
Latin name: Rauwolfia Serpentina
Family: Apocyanaceae
Common name: Sarpgandha
English name: Rauwolfia
Indian Names : Arachoritita, Chandrabhaga, Chota-chand, Sanochado, Sarpagandha, Chandrika, Patalguruda
Parts used: Root
Pharmacological action: sedative, depressant, febrifuge, and tonic.
Actions and uses in ayurveda: kaphvatashamak, nidrajannan, raktbharshamak, jvaraghna.
Sarpagandha is used for the treatment of paranoia, schizophrenia, and hypertension.
In serpant bite, the powder of Sarpagandha roots is given orally, as well as, applied on the site of bite
It relieves itching in Urticaria
Specially in snake bite, it is extensively used as antidote
The Rauvolfia herb is the best remedy for high blood pressure and it has been adapted by medical fraternity in most countries
It relieves tension, anxiety and worry and fat people especially find it effective. Whenever a patient is extremely irritable and is behaving in an unruly manner, Sarpagandha has been found effective. However, it should be used with great care in the case of the debilitated, or those habitually depressed.