Arootha(Shathapoo) medicinal plant

Plant Details

• Botanical Name: Justicia adhatoda

• Family: Acanthaceae

• Common Names:

  • English: Malabar Nut, Adhatoda

  • Malayalam: Arootha / Shathapoo

  • Hindi: Vasaka / Adhatoda

  • Tamil: Adhatodai

• Origin: Native to India and Sri Lanka, widely cultivated in tropical Asia.

• Type: Medicinal evergreen shrub

 Appearance

• Height: 1–3 m tall shrub.

• Leaves: Dark green, simple, lance-shaped, aromatic.

• Flowers: Small, tubular, white with purple or violet spots, bloom in clusters.

• Fruits: Small, capsule-like, containing seeds.

 Care Guide

Sun Light

• Prefers full sun to partial shade.

• Grows well along roadsides and open gardens.

 Soil

• Adaptable to various soils: sandy, loamy, or clay.

• Requires well-drained soil.

 Watering

• Moderate watering.

• Drought-tolerant once established but grows faster with regular watering.

 Fertilizer

• Can grow with minimal fertilizer.

• Organic compost or farmyard manure during growing season promotes lush foliage.

 Pruning

• Prune regularly to encourage bushy growth.

• Remove dead stems and flowers for healthy growth.

 Medicinal Uses

1. Respiratory Health:

   • Leaves and flowers are used in cough, asthma, bronchitis, and cold remedies.

   • Active compound: vasicine – bronchodilator and expectorant.

2. Fever & Infection:

   • Leaf extracts used for fever reduction and antimicrobial effects.

3. Traditional Remedies:

   • Powdered leaves or decoction for blood purification and liver support.

   • Used in Ayurveda, Siddha, and folk medicine.

4. Other Uses:

   • Leaf juice for skin infections and wounds.

   • Plant has ornamental value due to clustered tubular flowers.