Introduction to the Herb Scientific Name: Justicia pubigera (Nees) C.B. Clarke Family: Acanthaceae Synonyms: Ecbolium pubigerum (Nees) Kuntze, Justicia edgeworthii T. Anders., Peristrophe ciliata Royle ex Nees, Peristrophe pubigera Nees
Justicia pubigera is a perennial herb that belongs to the Acanthaceae family, also known as the acanthus family. The genus Justicia is a large and widespread group of flowering plants. This specific species is native to parts of the West and Central Himalayas, including India and Nepal. It typically grows as undergrowth in forests and along mountain trails at altitudes ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 meters.
Names in Different Countries and Terminology
The search results did not provide a wide range of common names for Justicia pubigera across different countries. One common name found is Foldwing Justicia. The name of the genus, Justicia, honors James Justice, a Scottish horticulturist.
Availability and External Look
Justicia pubigera is native to the Himalayan regions of India, Nepal, and Pakistan. It is found growing in the wild, particularly in Uttarakhand (India) and parts of Nepal. Its availability is limited to these specific geographical areas.
The plant is an erect, basally woody herb that can grow up to 1.2 meters tall.
Stem: The young stems are hairy, with a round, ridged appearance.
Leaves: The leaves have a hairy petiole (leaf stalk) that is 5-10 mm long. The leaf blade is ovate-lanceolate (shaped like a spearhead), measuring 4.5-11 cm long and 2-4.5 cm wide. It is hairy on both sides with an entire (smooth) margin, an acuminate (tapering to a point) apex, and a cuneate (wedge-shaped) base.
Flowers: The inflorescence is a loose panicle of cymes, up to 8 cm long, growing from the leaf axils. The flowers are pinkish-red, approximately 1.8 cm long, and are borne on short stalks. The corolla (the collective term for the petals) has a tube and two lips, with the upper lip being bilobed and the lower lip being deeply three-lobed.
Fruit: The fruit is an oblong, club-shaped capsule that is 1.2-1.3 cm long and pubescent (hairy).
Healing Properties and Advantages
While specific, scientifically-backed research on the medicinal properties of Justicia pubigera is limited, other related species within the Justicia genus, such as Justicia spicigera and Justicia gendarussa, are well-documented in traditional medicine. It is important to note that the medicinal uses of these related species may or may not apply to J. pubigera.
Generally, species in the genus Justicia are known for their use in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. These uses are often based on their reported anti-inflammatory, analgesic (pain-relieving), antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. These properties are often attributed to the presence of flavonoids and other phytochemicals in the plants.
Uses and Using Way
Based on the traditional uses of related species, the leaves and other parts of Justicia plants are often prepared in different ways to treat various conditions. The most common methods include:
Decoctions: Boiling the leaves, roots, or other plant parts in water to create a medicinal tea or liquid.
Poultices: Crushing the leaves and applying them directly to the skin for external ailments like wounds or sprains.
Extracts and Juices: Extracting the juice from the leaves for internal or topical application.
For a specific example of use, some related plants are used to make a dye, as the leaves can stain water a deep blue or indigo color when boiled.
