Karunochi (Justicia gendarussa)

Karunochi is willow-leaved justicia, an evergreen hedge shrub of wet Tamil and Kerala country. Its name means black nochi, after its dark purple-black stems. The leaf is used in Siddha and folk practice for joint pain. It is easy to tell from Justicia adhatoda, which has broad leaves and big white flowers, and from Vitex negundo, the five-leaflet nochi. Older books call it Gendarussa vulgaris.

Botanical name: Justicia gendarussa Burm.f.
Family: Acanthaceae
Tamil: Karunochi
Hindi: Nili nargandi
Parts used: Leaf
Habit: Willow-leaved hedge acanth; not adhatoda and not Vitex nochi
Last updated: 2026-10-27

How to recognise Karunochi

It is a bushy shrub, usually one to one and a half metres tall, with smooth stems that are dark purple to nearly black and swollen at the joints.

The leaves are long, narrow and pointed like willow leaves, set in opposite pairs, often with a purplish midrib.

Small two-lipped flowers, white to pale pink with purple spots on the lower lip, grow in short spikes at the branch tips.

Adhatoda leaves are broad and soft, and its flowers are larger and white.

Vitex negundo has leaves of five leaflets spread like fingers, and is not an acanth.

Traditional use of Karunochi

Siddha

Leaves are boiled into medicated oils or warmed as poultices for joint and muscle pain in Siddha and Tamil folk practice.

Siddha and Tamil folk practice

Garden

It is planted as a living hedge and boundary shrub, because cuttings root almost anywhere.

South Indian garden practice

Modern notes on Karunochi

Researchers in Indonesia studied a leaf compound called gendarusin as a possible male contraceptive, but it has not been approved.

Laboratory and animal studies report anti-inflammatory activity in leaf extracts, but clinical trials in people are lacking.

The plant is grown widely across tropical Asia, so its exact native range is unclear.

Karunochi safety

Do not take karunochi by mouth in pregnancy or while trying to conceive, given the contraceptive research, and test any leaf oil on a small patch of skin first. Human safety data are thin.

Ecology and sourcing

It grows best in moist, partly shaded ground near water.

Small bees visit the flowers.

It spreads easily from broken stems and can escape from hedges into damp ground.

Related plants

Also in Acanthaceae

Questions about Karunochi

Why is Karunochi called karunochi?

Karu means black, after its dark stems.

Is Karunochi the same as adathodai?

No. Adathodai is Justicia adhatoda, with broad leaves.

Is Karunochi the same as nochi?

No. Nochi is Vitex negundo, with five-leaflet leaves.

How is Karunochi grown?

From stem cuttings in moist soil.

Is Karunochi a proven contraceptive?

No. It has only been studied, not approved.

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.