402 /MAIDENHAIR PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINESIt is still taken as an infusion in Spain, Belgium and the
Canary Islands to treat bronchitis, coughs and whooping
cough, and also for painful and excessive menstruation.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
General: No health hazards or side effects are known in
conjunction with the proper administration of designated
therapeutic dosages.
Pregnancy: Not to be used during pregnancyDOSAGE
Mode of Administration: The drug is taken internally as a tea
prepared from the ground or powdered drug.
Daily Dosage: The standard single dose is 1.5 gm of the
drug to 1 cup of liquid per dose (average single dose)Storage: Protect from light.
LITERATURE
Berti G et al., Tetrahedron Lett: 1-5. 1964.
Cooper-Driver G, Swain T, Bot J Linn Soc 74:1-21. 1977.
Imperato F, PH 21:2158-2159. 1982.
Imperator F, (1982) Phytochemistry 21(8):2158.
Jain SR, Sharma SN, (1967) Planta Med(4):439.
Twaij HAA et al., (1985) Indian J Pharmacol 17(I):73.Malabar Nut
Justicia adhatoda
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the dried foliage
leaves, j4^*fiQwer collected in the flowering season, the dried
bark of the trunk, branches and roots, and the fresh leaves.
Flower and Fruit: The flowers are in dense, 2.5 to 7.5 cm
long peduncled, axillary spikes. The bracts are elliptical, and
the bracteoles are oblong-lanceolate. The calyx is 1.5 cm
long, glabrous or black pubescent, with 5 sections containing
regular lanceolate segments. The corolla is white with red to
purple bands. The corolla tube is 1.3 cm long and is
cylindrical and pubescent inside of the lower half. The upper
lip is convexly domed. The anthers are arrow-shaped and
sometimes spurred at the base. The ovary is bivalvular with a
2-lobed stigma. The fruit is a 4-seeded, short-haired,
longitudinally grooved capsule. The seeds are orbicular,
glabrous, slightly bumpy-warty and 5 to 7 mm across.
Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is an evergreen, unpleas-
ant-smelling shrub 2.5 m high with numerous, usually
opposite, branches. The bark is yellow. The leaves are 8 to
25 cm long, 2.5 to 8 cm wide, short-stalked, opposite,
lanceolate to elliptical, tapering to an acute apex with entire
margins. The leaf blade and petiole are finely pubescent.
Characteristics: The taste is bitter and die odor tea-like.
Habitat: Originally indigenous to northern India, the plant is
now found in all the areas of Ayurveda medicine in India, Sri
Lanka and the Maylan archipelago.Production: Vasaca leaves are the leaves of Justicia
adhatoda.Other Names: Arusa, Adulsa
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Quinazoline alkaloids: including vasicine and vasicinone
Volatile oil
EFFECTS
Mildly spasmolytic, bronchodilatory and expectorant
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: For acute and chronic bronchial infections,
catarrh of the upper respiratory tract and tuberculosis as an
expectorant and to alleviate coughs.
Indian Medicine: Justicia adhatoda is used as an expectorant
and secretory agent.
Homeopathic Uses: Justicia adhatoda preparations are used
for hay fever and acute inflammation of the upper respiratory
tract.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
The drug is contraindicated in pregnancy.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS -,
General: No health hazards or side effects are known in
conjunction with the proper administration of designated
therapeutic dosages. Because of the vasicine content, the
administration of large dosages can lead to excitatory states.
Pregnancy: Administration during pregnancy is to be
avoided.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration:Today, the extract of the leaves is
only found in some combination preparations.
Daily Dosage: 1 to 2 gm as drug or liquid extract (1:1) with
40% ethanol (V/V)Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, 1 tablet or 10 globules every
30 to 60 minutes (acute), and 1 to 3 times daily (chronic);
Parenterally: 1 to 2 ml sc acute. 3 times daily; Chronic: once
a day (HAB1).
LITERATURE
Brain KR, Thapa BB, J Chromatogr 258:183-188. 1988.