Serpentina (Candrabhaga)
Also knoivn as
Latin : Rauvolfia serpentina
English : Serpentina root
Sanskrit : Sarpagandha
Hindi : Candrabhaga
Marathi : Hadaki/Adakai
Tamil : Sarpagandha
Telugu : Patalagandha
Malayalam : Amalpori
Kannada : Sutranabhi
How it looks�It is a small erect shrub with wholly, bright green leaves, white flowers often tinged with violet and purplish black fruits (when ripe). The dry roots are very hard
and yield a yellowish paste upon rubbing with water.
What we use�Roots
What it does�Roots�laxative, anthelmintic
Caution: Serpentina can cause constipation when taken over a long periods and so it is recommended to take 1 tsp of triphala with warm water at bedtime during its use.
How we use it�
In
high blood pressure�Reserpine present in sarpagandha has recently been introduced as an antihypertensive to the modern system of medicine. Take half a tsp of the powdered root
twice a day to control hypertension.
In
fever with fits and hysteria�Take a pinch of the root powder in warm milk thrice a day until symptoms completely disappear.
In
insanity�Owing to its sedative effects, sarpagandha enjoys a prominent place in the treatment of schizophrenia, especially when associated with violent behaviour and hypertension.
Give a pinch of the root powder with cows milk and sugar candy twice a day. Blood pressure should be monitored throughout the treatment. It is best avoided in depressed and
hypotensive patients.
In
sleeplessness�Again as a well-known sedative, very minute doses of serpentina- about half a gram-can be taken along with some buffalo's milk at bedtime. It induces sound
sleep-especially in those suffering from phlegm afflicting the chest and painful joints.
In
itching skin�Sarpagandha taken in doses of a pinch twice a day with decoction of kutja or plain water soothes the urge to scratch.
