Medicinal uses, Rauvolfia vomitoria

R. vomitoria has about 44 different phytochemicals, with nearly half of them found in the roots, 20% of them found in the leaves and 30% found in the whole plant. However, R. vomitoria is known as a source of the medicinally important reserpine present in the roots. This alkaloid reduces high blood pressure and used in treatment of mental illness. The root of the species is often harvested and may be used as a sedative, aphrodisiac or antispasmodic.

Rauvolfia vomitoria, Botany

Rauvolfia vomitoria Afzel. is from the Apocynaceae family. The family comprises about 60 species and R. vomitoria is found mainly naturally in Africa. Botany from the Flora of China: It is a shrub up to 5 m tall, glabrous. Stems erect, stiff. Leaves whorled; leaf blade broadly ovate or ovate-elliptic, 5-12 x 3-6 cm; lateral veins 8-17 pairs. Cymes usually 4 together. Corolla greenish or pale green, tube subcylindric, 6-12 mm, inflated at throat, pubescent inside; lobes dolabriform, 1-2 mm. Stamens inserted at corolla throat; disc ringlike, shorter than ovaries. Ovaries distinct. Style filiform, pubescent at base; pistil head fleshy, base membranous. Drupes 2, distinct, ovoid or ellipsoid, 0.8-1.4 cm x 6-9 mm. Flowering: Aug-Oct, fruiting: Oct-Dec. 2n = 22, 66.