The common names of Rauwolfia are Serpent Wood and
Serpentine. It is found in tropical Himalayas and the foothills. It was
proved by Templeton, the mother tincture is prepared from the roots
and dilution from it.
The root contains six alkaloids, the most important are
Ajmaline Serpentine and Rauwolfia. Rauwolfia has a tradition of being
a medicinal plant under the name of Sarpgandh since 200 A.D.
Rauwolfia is todays one of the most widely used medicine marked
having sedative and hypnotic actions. It s a valuable remedy for
primary hypertension, insomnia and other irritable conditions of the
central nervous system. Rauwolfia is useful not only as a high blood
pressure medicine, it is effective as a tranquilizer too.
