Justicia gendarussa Burm. f.
Synonym :- Gendarussa vulgaris Nees.
Family :- Acanthaceae.
Habitat :- Throughout the greater part of India and Andaman Islands.
Ayurvedic :- Krishna Vaasaa (blue
var.), Nila-nirgundi, Krishnanirgundi, Nila-manjari.
Siddha/Tamil :- Karunochhi, Vadaikkuthi.
Action :- Febrifuge, diaphoretic,
emetic, emmenagogue. Infusion of leaves—given internally in cephalalgia,
hemiplegia and facial paralysis. Fresh leaves—used topically in oedema and rheumatism. Bark— emetic.
The leaves contain beta-sitosterol, an alkaloid, lupeol, friedelin and aromatic
amines.
