Practical
Plants

Justicia gendarussa

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Justicia genus in the family Acanthaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
1 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaf is antispasmodic, carminative[3] and has antiperiodic properties[4]. The leaves and tender young shoots are diaphoretic[5]. A decoction is used in the treatment of chronic rheumatism[5]. An infusion of the leaves is taken internally in the treatment of pains in the head, paralysis of one side of the body and facial paralysis[5]. The leaf juice is used in the treatment of earache[5]. The bitter root is anodyne, diaphoretic, diuretic and laxative[4]. The root bark is emetic[4]. The whole plant is emetic and febrifuge[5]. A decoction is used to treat bruises[4].

Product or use
Anodyne
Product or use
Antiperiodic
Product or use
Antiphlogistic
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Laxative

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The dried leaves are used to repel insects from clothing[4].

Product or use
Insecticide

Environment

Range
E. Asia - India to Burma.
Habitat
Beds of streams in moister areas of the Himalayas[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and grow on in the greenhouse for at least the first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts and give some protection over the winter.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

We have very little information on this species, it is probably not hardy in this country but might succeed outdoors in the mildest areas. One report says that it should be grown in a warm greenhouse and treated like a Fuchsia[1].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00

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  3. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

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  4. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  5. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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