Sarpagandhi’s significance in Ayurveda

If you are trying to create a list of medicinal plants in your locality, you can have a long list which includes almost all the plants you find in the area. If you unaware of the healing powers of a common plant, you need not approach an ayurvedic resort, hospital or factory to be convinced of its medicinal qualities. The old generation in your locality may help you in this task.

You just ask your grandma what all plants she uses as home remedies for various diseases such as cold, nausea, digestion problems etc. She will come up with a list which includes tulsi, neem and a lot of other common plants.

Indian Snakeroot or Rauwolfia serpentine is one among such medicinal plants which have high relevance in Ayurveda. Better known as Sarpagandhi, the plant has been used traditionally for treating snake bite. Raw roots of the plant have been used as home remedies for sleeplessness and high blood pressure. Though it seems to be very effective, the plant can be used only after a thorough consultation with an Ayurvedic practitioner.

The plant is also found to be very effective in treating high blood pressure and mental disorders like insanity. Traditional Ayurvedic treatment of hysteria and schizophrenia revolves around the drugs made out of sarpagandhi. Ayurvedic practitioners normally do not prescribe it for pregnant women.