Common Name: Indian Leadwort

General Information

Indian leadwort is an evergreen perennial herb or shrub growing up to 1.5 metres tall, branched from the base, with the stems drooping and sometimes rooting[].
The plant is often grown in the backyard for personal use, it is cultivated for medicinal use in India and is also grown as an ornamental in various parts of the tropics, where it is valued for its white inflorescences[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines.

Habitat

Found in the vicinity of former human activity, locally semi-spontaneous, often persistent in abandoned cultivation, also in teak forest, at elevations up to 1,000 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	1.50 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of tropical areas, it thrives very well at temperatures of 25 - 35°c[].
Prefers a rich, moist and well-drained soil, with a pH of 5.5 - 6[]. A pH below 5 or above 7 may lead to stunted growth[].
Plants can flower all year round, but do not set seed[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Indian leadword is a popular traditional medicine in India, and also in parts of Africa and southeast Asia - especially where there is a high Indian population[]. A poisonous plant, it is valued mainly for external use to treat skin problems, the root being considered the most active part of the plant[]. The plant is considered to be abortifacient, alterative, carminative, emmenagogue, rubefacient, stimulant, stomachic and vesicant[]. High doses are dangerous and may cause death[].
The principle active compound in the plant is the naphthoquinone plumbagin[]. Other compounds isolated from the aerial parts include 6-hydroxyplumbagin, plumbaginol (a flavonol), leucodelphinidin and steroids (e.g. β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol)[].
Plumbagin possesses several pharmacological activities i.e. antimicrobial, anticancer, cardiotonic and antifertility actions. It is also a powerful irritant. In small doses, the compound promotes sweating and stimulates the central nervous system; large doses may cause death from respiratory failure and paralysis[].
Plumbagin has shown anti-implantation and abortifacient activities[].
At low doses, plumbagin showed significant tumour inhibitory effects against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma[].
The ethanol extract of the leaves is active against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)[].

The root is used internally to stimulate the digestion; to purify the blood; to promote menstrual flow and/or to induce abortion[].
A poultice of the roots is used as a remedy for leprosy, rheumatism, paralysis, tumours, headaches toothache, haemorrhoids and swollen glands[].
The root-bark is used as a vesicant. To this end, the fresh root is cut into very thin slices, which are tied on the skin. Similarly these slices may also be applied to the forehead against headache[].

The leaves are used as a poultice in the treatment of rheumatism and headache[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - not available[].
Stem cuttings. Roots develop in 1 month - wait for good stem growth before potting them up[].
Root cuttings[].

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