In folk medicine, It has been used for fever, diarrhea, general weakness, constipation, intestinal diseases, liver problems, rheumatism, water retention, and mental disorders. However, its effectiveness for such conditions remains unverified. Asian medicine uses it for giddiness, high blood pressure, slow and painful urination, and wounds. In India, extracts of the plant are used as antidotes for poisonous snake bites. Why It Works Reserpine, an extract of Rauwolfia, combats high blood pressure, and is found in such prescription blood pressure medications as Diupres and Hydropres.
Reserpine also combats irregular heartbeat and has a sedative effect.
Rauwolfia, a small shrub sporting white to pink flowers, is native to India, Indochina, Borneo, Sri Lanka, and Sumatra. Its medicinal properties lie in the dried root. The fresh root has a very bitter and unpleasant taste. Do not take it when depressed. The drug also tends to stimulate the lining of the digestive tract, so you should avoid it if you have an ulcer or ulcerative colitis.