Thaluthalai (Clerodendrum phlomidis)

Thaluthalai, arni in Hindi, is a scrambling shrub of dry North and South India with fragrant white flowers. In North Indian Ayurveda its root is used as agnimantha, one of the ten roots of dashamula. Kerala practice uses a different plant, Premna serratifolia, under the same name, a long-running identification debate. Siddha uses thaluthalai leaf in its own preparations.

Botanical name: Clerodendrum phlomidis L.f.
Family: Lamiaceae
Tamil: Thaluthalai
Hindi: Arni
Sanskrit: Agnimantha
Parts used: Root in lists, Leaves
Habit: Dry-country shrub; one of the plants sold as agnimantha
Last updated: 2026-10-27

How to recognise Thaluthalai

It is a straggling shrub, one to three metres tall, with greyish, finely hairy branches.

The leaves are opposite, oval to diamond-shaped, with wavy or slightly lobed edges.

Fragrant white to cream tubular flowers with long, protruding stamens grow in loose clusters and open in the evening.

The fruit is a small, black, rounded drupe sitting in a persistent, enlarged calyx.

Premna serratifolia has smaller, greenish flowers in flat clusters.

Traditional use of Thaluthalai

Ayurveda

Agnimantha root is part of dashamula and is used in decoctions and oils.

North Indian Ayurvedic practice

Siddha

Thaluthalai leaf is used in Siddha preparations and in folk remedies for joint pain.

Siddha practice

Farming

It is planted as a hedge in dry villages because animals rarely eat it.

Indian village practice

Modern notes on Thaluthalai

Pharmacognosy studies show that dashamula products in different regions contain different agnimantha plants.

Laboratory studies on extracts exist, but clinical evidence is limited.

Botanists now place many Clerodendrum species in related genera such as Volkameria.

The genus name comes from Greek words meaning chance tree, a nod to early, conflicting reports of its value as medicine.

Thaluthalai safety

Use agnimantha only in formulas prepared by a trained practitioner, and avoid it in pregnancy.

Ecology and sourcing

It grows in dry scrub and hedges across India and Sri Lanka.

Hawkmoths visit its evening flowers.

It tolerates drought and poor soil.

Related plants

Also in Lamiaceae

Questions about Thaluthalai

What is agnimantha?

A dashamula root; the plant used differs by region.

Is Thaluthalai the same as munnai?

No. Munnai is Premna serratifolia.

When do the flowers of Thaluthalai open?

In the evening.

Is Thaluthalai a hedge plant?

Yes, in dry villages.

What is arni?

Its Hindi name.

Can Thaluthalai be eaten?

No. It is not a food plant.

Sources

Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.