Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants

Ammannia baccifera

Family: Lythraceae (Crape Myrtle family)
Genus: Ammannia
Botanical name: Ammannia baccifera
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
Sanskrit: Agnigarbha, Brahmasoma, Kshetrabhusha, Kshetravashini
Hindi: aginbuti, Ban mirich, Dadmari, Jungli mehendi
English: Blistering Ammannia, Acrid weed, Monarch redstem, Tooth cup
Malayalam: Nirumelneruppu

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Erect, glabrous herb, up to 75cm tall, stems reddish. Leaves lower opposite, upper alternate, oblong or narrow elliptic. Flowers reddish in dense auxiliary clusters. Fruits depressed globose capsule.
The leaves are acrid and used in the treatment of rheumatic pains and fevers. They are also prescribed as stomachic and laxative. The fresh bruised leaves are used as rubifacient and external remedy for ring worms and other skin affections. The herb is reported to possess anti-typhoid and antitubercular properties.