Sarpagandha is also known as ‘Indian snakeroot’. It is an important medicinal plant distributed in the foot-hills of the Himalayan range. It has long tapering snake-like roots which are a rich source of reserpine alkaloids. This alkaloid is used in the manufacture of anti-hypertensive and sedative medicines. The roots are also used in Ayurvedic and other systems of medicines for curing a wide range of ailments.