Strobilanthus cusia Nees.
A Herbaceous Perennial plant with erect branched stem . Leaves opposite , often unequal toothed or subterine , usually lineolate with raphides . Flowers capitate or in strobilate on interrupted bracteate spikes on panicled , sessile ; pink . Calyx usually deeply 5-partite , the lobes narrow , rarely 2-lipped . Corolla usually white blue or purple , rather large , straight or curved ; lobes 5 , rounded or ovate . Fruit four seed capsule , glabrous .
- Family: Acanthaceae
- Habit: A Herbaceous , perennial branched herb
- Habitat: Hilly areas , moist wooded places or moist forests
- Status : Endangered
Vernacular names
English - Assam indigo , Chinese Rain bell
Hindi - Rum
Malayalam - Chinnakurinni
Tamil - Cinna k kurinji
Kannada - Karvi
Medicinal Uses
* The roots and leaves are depurative and febrifuge and antiinflammatory . A decoction is used in treatment of epidemic , sore throat and fever caused rashes .
* The whole plant is used to treat Influenza , viral pnuemonia , mumps and SARS (Tanaka et al., 2004)
* Leaves posesses antibacterial , astringent , antiviral properties (Tomonori et al., 2004)
* A poultice of leaves is used to treat ague .
* Stem and leaf are used as alexipharmic prescription for respiratory tract infection
