Kariyartharani is an erect, glabrous, dichotomously branched annual or perennial herb, usually 30 to 90 cm high. Its young branches are almost quadrangular, leaves are oblong-elliptic, generally 5 to10 cm long and around 2.5 to 3.8 cm wide, apex acute or obtuse, margins coarsely serrate, its base tapering and decurrent (that is extending downward) into the obscure petioles. The flowers sessile of this plant borne in long, slender, nearly continuous glabrous spikes up to 30 cm long, the rachis hollowed out beneath each flower; bracts or plant structure is around 5 mm long, lanceolate, subulate. Further, it is membranous, tubular, short and acute and is generally of corolla deep blue or purple colour. Kariyartharani also bears pear-shaped and ribbed fruits (capsules), of around 3 to 4 mm long, enclosed in the calyx, breaking into 2 oblong pyrenes; seeds black, flattened. Kariyartharani has got various medicinal properties. This herb is used for treating intestinal worms, venereal diseases, ulcers, and erysipelas, dropsy and stomach ailments. A decoction of the plant is said to be used as an abortifacient. Further, it has been also used to stop vomiting. The juice of the leaves is used to remove cataracts. The leaves are rubbed on sprains and bruises or used as a cataplasm for boils, and their decoction is used to treat ulceration of the nose. An infusion of the bark is used to relieve diarrhoea and dysentery. In Brazil the plant is used externally to treat purulent ulcers and internally for treating fevers and rheumatic inflammation. |