Herb's Introduction
Ruellia prostrata Poir. is a perennial herb belonging to the Acanthaceae family, commonly known as the Acanthus family. It is a widely distributed plant, native to a large area spanning from the Central African Republic to Eritrea and South Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian Subcontinent, and extending to the Southwest Pacific. In many regions, including Nepal, it is found as an introduced or naturalized species, often growing in seasonally dry tropical biomes. Traditionally, it has been used in various folk medicine systems for a range of ailments. The plant's medicinal value is attributed to its rich content of phytochemicals, which have been explored for various biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-diabetic properties.
Name in Different Countries
Ruellia prostrata has a variety of common names that reflect its appearance or traditional uses across different linguistic regions: Language/Region Name Scientific Name Ruellia prostrata Poir. Family Acanthaceae English Bell Weed, prostrate wild petunia French Ruellie prostrée Malayalam Thuppalampott, Velipadakkam, Upudali Marathi Kali dhawani Tamil Pottakanchi Telugu Neelambaram Gujarati Kalughavani, Kali Dhraman Export to Sheets
Terminology
The botanical and medicinal context of Ruellia prostrata involves specific terminology: Botanical Classification: Family: Acanthaceae. This family contains many flowering plants, often tropical, known for having bilaterally symmetrical flowers and distinctive fruit capsules. Synonyms: The plant has several synonyms, including Dipteracanthus prostrata, Dipteracanthus prostratus (Poir.) Nees, and Ruellia prostrata var. dejecta (Nees) C.B. Clarke. These terms refer to the same species but were used in older or alternate taxonomic systems. Physical Description: Perennial herb: A non-woody plant that lives for more than two years. Erect or decumbent: Growing upright, or lying along the ground with the tip ascending, respectively. Prostrate: Lying flat along the ground, which is reflected in its scientific and common names. Axillary: Growing from the angle (axil) between a leaf and the stem. This describes the position of the flowers. Corolla: The petals of a flower, typically fused into a tube, described here as 'white, mauve or purple, short-lived.' Traditional Medicine: Decoction: A liquid preparation made by boiling plant material in water, used to extract compounds. Phytochemicals: Biologically active non-nutrient compounds found in plants, such as flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids, which contribute to its medicinal properties.
Availability
Ruellia prostrata is geographically widespread, making it available across a vast range of tropical and sub-tropical regions. Native Range: It is indigenous to the Central African Republic, Eritrea, South Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian Subcontinent (including India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh), Christmas Island, and extends into the Southwest Pacific. Introduced/Naturalized Range: The plant has become established in many other areas outside its native range, including Nepal, Assam, Guyana, Hawaii, and parts of the Pacific Islands, growing commonly as a weed in grasslands, disturbed areas, and along roadsides. Cultivation: While primarily a wild herb, its relative, Ruellia tuberosa (Minnie Root), is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental. R. prostrata's widespread nature ensures its ready availability for traditional use in its regions of growth.
External Look
Ruellia prostrata is a low-growing, slightly sprawling herb: Habit and Stem: It is an erect or decumbent perennial herb, reaching up to about 50 cm tall, though sometimes it can be scrambling and taller. The stems are multiple, arising from a woody rootstock, and are covered with varying amounts of hair (pubescence). Leaves: The leaves grow opposite each other on the stem. They are typically elliptic, lanceolate to broadly ovate, measuring 4-10 cm long. The leaves are often pointed at the tip and may be almost hairless or pubescent, with denser hair along the veins. They are attached by a stalk (petiole) up to 2.5 cm long. Flowers: The flowers are showy but short-lived, appearing solitary or in clusters of 2-3 in the leaf axils. They are subtended by large bracts. The corolla (petals) is distinctive, forming a tube that expands into lobes, and is typically white, mauve, or purple. The corolla tube is 14-28 mm long. Fruit: The fruit is a capsule, narrowly oblanceolate or club-shaped (clavate), measuring 15-24 mm long, and is finely velvety. This capsule contains the seeds.
Healing Properties
The therapeutic value of Ruellia prostrata is supported by both traditional use and contemporary phytochemical and pharmacological research. Key healing properties include: Anti-inflammatory: Extracts, particularly methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts, have shown significant anti-inflammatory activity in vitro by inhibiting protein denaturation and hemolysis (a measure of cell membrane stabilization), which is comparable to standard anti-inflammatory drugs. Antioxidant: The presence of compounds like flavonoids and tannins contributes to its potent antioxidant activity, helping to scavenge free radicals and mitigate oxidative stress. This is often quantified by DPPH assays. Anti-diabetic: Studies suggest that R. prostrata leaves exhibit anti-diabetic potential by inhibiting key enzymes like α-amylase and α-glucosidase, which are involved in carbohydrate breakdown and glucose absorption. Antimicrobial: Research has confirmed dose-related antibacterial activity against certain Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms. Analgesic: Traditionally and through some studies on related Ruellia species, it is implied to possess pain-relieving (analgesic) properties.
Advantages
The use of Ruellia prostrata in traditional and potential modern medicine offers several advantages: Rich Phytochemical Profile: The herb contains a variety of beneficial secondary metabolites, including tannins, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, and polyphenols, which collectively contribute to its diverse health effects. Flavonoids, in particular, are powerful natural antioxidants. Multi-Targeted Efficacy: Its documented properties (anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, antimicrobial) suggest it could be a versatile, multi-purpose therapeutic agent useful for managing conditions involving inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic dysfunction. Traditional Endorsement: The herb has a long history of use in various traditional medicinal systems across Africa and the Indian Subcontinent, lending credence to its efficacy and safety profile through empirical use. Wound Healing: Historically, and as indicated by its traditional use in some regions, it is used as a wound healing agent.
Uses
Ruellia prostrata is utilized for both systemic conditions and localized complaints in traditional practices: Part Used Traditional Use Modern Potential Whole Plant/Decoction To address physical weakness and act as a general tonic. Potential use as an antioxidant and systemic anti-inflammatory. Leaves/Leaf Juice For ear complaints and to treat skin conditions like eczema and chronic rheumatism. Also used for colic infection in children. Anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic applications, based on in vitro studies. Seed Powder Given to persons suffering from sperm deficiency. Potential use in fertility-related traditional remedies, though scientific validation is needed. Other Traditional Uses Used for conditions like facial paralysis, cephalgia (headache), and hemiplegia (paralysis of one side of the body). Historically used as an anti-cancer agent (specifically against nasopharynx region epidermis) and to treat gonorrhea. Export to Sheets
Using Way
The traditional methods of using Ruellia prostrata largely involve simple preparations for oral or topical application: Decoction: The most common method for systemic issues like physical weakness. The whole plant or specific parts (like stems and leaves) are boiled in water to create a liquid extract, which is then consumed. Leaf Juice/Paste: Fresh leaves are crushed to extract the juice for use in ear complaints or mixed into a paste for external application on skin conditions like eczema or rheumatism. Powder: Dried seeds are ground into a powder for oral consumption, particularly when addressing conditions like sperm deficiency. Note: While traditional practices provide guidance, it is important to remember that preparations should be undertaken with knowledge of correct plant identification and dosage, and modern medical advice should always be sought for serious conditions.
Conclusion
Ruellia prostrata, the Bell Weed or Upudali, stands as a significant herb within the pharmacopoeia of regions like the Indian Subcontinent and has a naturalized presence in locations like Nepal. Its medicinal prominence is deeply rooted in traditional folk medicine, where it is valued for treating ailments ranging from physical weakness and ear complaints to rheumatism and potential fertility issues. Modern scientific investigation is increasingly validating these traditional claims by confirming its strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-diabetic activities, which are attributable to its rich blend of phytochemicals like flavonoids and tannins. As a readily available and widely distributed perennial herb, R. prostrata represents a valuable source for further research and development of safe and effective plant-based therapeutics.
