Justicia gendarussa Burm.f.

Justicia gendarussa Burm.f.

Introduction

    Justicia gendarussa, commonly known as Willow-leaved Justicia, is a small, erect, branched shrub belonging to the family Acanthaceae. This dicotyledonous plant can grow up to 1.5 meters in height and is recognized for its significant medicinal and insecticidal properties. It is a quick-growing, evergreen forest shrub that is native to a broad region spanning from the Indian subcontinent to Southeast Asia, including India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and parts of Indochina and Malaysia. It has also been introduced and naturalized in various other tropical regions. Historically, Justicia gendarussa has been a staple in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha, where various parts of the plant, including leaves, roots, and bark, are used for their therapeutic benefits.

    Names in Different Countries

    Justicia gendarussa is known by a variety of names across different languages and regions, reflecting its widespread use and cultural significance.

    English: Willow-leaved justicia, Asian water-willow, Black malabar nut.

    Assamese: Tita-bahak, Bishalya Karani.

    Bengali: Bakas, Basa, Jagatmadan.

    Chinese: Jiān wěi fēng (尖尾风).

    French: Yapana marron.

    Hindi: Adusa, Bakas, Nili nirgunthi, Kala Bashimb.

    Kannada: Kari lakki, Karinekki.

    Malayalam: Karu nochchi, Vathamkolli.

    Marathi: Bakas, Kala adulasa.

    Sanskrit: Kasanah, Vaidyasinha.

    Tamil: Karu-nocci, Cepalikai.

    Telugu: Gandharasamu, Nalla-vaavili, Neelanirgundi.

    Urdu: Arusa, Bakas.

    Vietnamese: Thanh táo.

    Terminology

    The botanical name Justicia gendarussa provides insight into its classification. The genus name, Justicia, was given in honor of James Justice, a Scottish horticulturist. The species epithet, gendarussa, is believed to be derived from a local Indonesian name for the plant. The plant belongs to the family Acanthaceae, which is known for its diverse group of flowering plants.

    Availability

    Justicia gendarussa is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and is commonly found growing in the wild, particularly in forests of India, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. Due to its wide range of medicinal uses, it is also cultivated in various parts of the world. The plant can be found in a number of Indian states, including Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. It is also available for purchase from specialty nurseries and online retailers that specialize in medicinal or exotic plants, often shipped as live plants or bare-root cuttings.

    External Look

    Justicia gendarussa is a visually distinct shrub. It has dark purple, smooth, and terete (cylindrical) branches that are often swollen at the nodes. The leaves are a key feature; they are lanceolate (lance-shaped), oblong-lanceolate, or narrowly lanceolate, measuring between 4–14 cm long and 1–2.5 cm wide. The leaves can be green, but a notable variegated cultivar, 'Variegata', has striking green, white, and grey leaves. The leaves are glabrous (smooth) on both sides and have 5–7 pairs of bluish lateral nerves.

    The plant produces small flowers that grow in narrow, terminal spikes up to 8 cm long. The flowers are typically white with purple streaks and spots on the lower lip. The fruit is a smooth, club-shaped capsule, about 12 mm long, and contains four seeds.

    Healing Properties

    Justicia gendarussa is a rich source of phytochemicals, including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, terpenoids, and steroids, which are responsible for its numerous healing properties. Scientific research has highlighted its various pharmacological activities, including:

    Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic: The plant's extracts have been shown to possess significant anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects, comparable to standard drugs like aspirin. It is traditionally used to treat rheumatism, arthritis, and swelling.

    Antimicrobial: Extracts from the plant, particularly the methanolic and ethanolic extracts, have demonstrated strong antibacterial and antifungal activities against a range of pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

    Antioxidant: The presence of flavonoids and other phenolic compounds gives the plant significant antioxidant properties, which help to combat oxidative stress and cellular damage.

    Hepatoprotective: Studies have shown that Justicia gendarussa has the ability to protect the liver against toxins.

    Anticancer: Research indicates that the plant's extracts exhibit cytotoxic and proapoptotic effects on certain cancer cell lines, such as lung cancer, suggesting potential as a source for new anticancer drugs.

    Anti-HIV: A potent compound, patentiflorin A, found in the plant, has shown a higher activity against several HIV strains than the well-known anti-HIV drug, zidovudine (AZT).

    Advantages

    The primary advantages of Justicia gendarussa lie in its multi-faceted therapeutic potential and traditional use. Its broad spectrum of medicinal properties, from anti-inflammatory to anti-cancer, makes it a valuable plant in herbal medicine. Its traditional use in various cultures and its validation through modern scientific research provide a strong foundation for its continued use and further study. Moreover, the plant's ability to act as an insect repellent and its potential for developing a non-hormonal male contraceptive pill highlight its diverse and practical applications beyond traditional medicine.

    Uses

    Various parts of Justicia gendarussa are used in different ways for a wide range of ailments:

    Leaves: The leaves are the most commonly used part of the plant. A decoction of the leaves is used to treat chronic rheumatism, cough, fever, and headaches. A poultice of fresh leaves is applied externally to treat inflammation, wounds, skin allergies, and sprains. The juice of the leaves is used to stop bleeding and to treat earaches.

    Roots: The roots are used to treat diarrhea and are believed to act as an antidote for snake venom. They also have diuretic properties.

    Bark: The bark is used as an emetic, antipyretic (fever-reducing), and for treating wounds and allergies.

    Whole Plant: The entire plant is used as a febrifuge (fever reducer) and emetic (to induce vomiting).

    Using Way

    The methods of using Justicia gendarussa vary depending on the ailment and the traditional system being followed.

    Decoction/Infusion: The most common method involves boiling the leaves or other plant parts in water to create a decoction. This liquid is then consumed internally for conditions like fever, cough, and rheumatism.

    Poultice: For external use, fresh leaves are pounded into a paste, sometimes mixed with coconut oil or vinegar, and applied directly to the affected area, such as wounds, inflammation, or rheumatic pain.

    Powder: Dried plant parts, particularly the seeds, can be ground into a powder and mixed with other substances for specific applications, such as an insect repellent.

    Conclusion

    Justicia gendarussa is a plant of immense medicinal value with a rich history of traditional use in various parts of Asia. Its effectiveness against a wide array of ailments, from common fevers and pain to more serious conditions like inflammation and potential anti-HIV activity, is supported by both centuries of traditional knowledge and a growing body of scientific research. The plant's diverse phytochemical composition is the key to its powerful pharmacological properties. As a natural and accessible resource, Justicia gendarussa stands as a significant example of the potential of medicinal plants in addressing modern health challenges and contributing to a more holistic approach to well-being.

    पुराना जडिबुटिहरु Old Herbs नयाँ जडिबुटिहरु New Herbs

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    Durgesh Rana

    This was a great read! Thanks for sharing Herbs Details.

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    Susmita Thapa

    I Read something new Herbs today, appreciate it!

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