Justicia adhatoda

HABIT: Justicia adhatoda is a perennial shrub that has an upright growth habit, reaching a height of 1 to 2 meters. It has a well-branched structure, with numerous stems emerging from the base of the plant. The stems are sturdy and can be woody near the base. The plant's overall form is bushy and compact, with a dense foliage of leaves. Leaves are one of its most distinctive features, they are large, opposite, and lance-shaped, with a prominent midrib and veins. The leaves have a smooth, glossy texture and are typically dark green in color, although variations can occur. The leaf margins are serrated or toothed, giving them a slightly jagged appearance. The leaves are arranged in an alternate pattern along the stems, with each leaf attached to the stem by a short petiole. These leaves contain important medicinal compounds and are the primary part of the plant used for their therapeutic properties. Flowers are small, tubular, and arranged in clusters known as spikes. Each individual flower has a tubular corolla with a narrow opening and is typically white or pale in color, occasionally tinged with shades of purple or blue. The corolla is composed of five fused petals, forming a tube with two-lipped structure. The upper lip is usually shorter and curved, while the lower lip is longer and flat. The flowers are often fragrant and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. Flowers develop into fruits which are small, rounded, and generally have a green color when young, turning dark brown or black as they mature. Each fruit is a capsule that contains numerous tiny seeds.

CONSERVATION STATUS: Least Concern.

MEDICINAL USES: This shrub is a widespread and valuable plant in the forest with significant medicinal properties. It is extensively utilized in Ayurvedic medicine as an expectorant and antispasmodic, primarily for treating conditions such as cold, cough, asthma, and tuberculosis. Additionally, studies have demonstrated its effectiveness against the influenza type-B virus. Both the aqueous and methanolic extracts of the plant have been found to affect the virus's protein envelope, but specifically, the methanol extract exhibits the ability to inhibit the infection by preventing virus attachment (Singh, A., Gautam, A., & Singh, B. (2022). Antiviral effects of medicinal plants and their active phytochemical constituents against respiratory diseases and associated biological functions. In Coronavirus Drug Discovery (pp. 23-54). Elsevier.).

ETHNOBOTANICAL USES: It holds ritual and spiritual significance in certain cultures, being utilized in religious ceremonies and offerings. The leaves of the plant contain natural pigments used for dyeing and coloring fabrics and materials. Additionally, it can act as an insect repellent, serve as livestock fodder, be grown as an ornamental plant for its attractive appearance, and aid in soil erosion control with its dense root system.