Sarpagandha

Sarpagandha is Indian snakeroot, a small forest shrub whose root gave reserpine, one of the first modern drugs for high blood pressure and severe mental illness. Indian physicians described its blood-pressure effect in the 1930s, and the pure alkaloid was isolated in 1952. Overharvesting of wild roots has made it endangered, and its trade is controlled under CITES. Reserpine can cause serious depression.

Botanical name

Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz

Family

Apocynaceae

Tamil

Sarpagandhi

Hindi

Sarpgandha

Sanskrit

Sarpagandhā

Parts used

Root in lists

Habit

Forest understorey shrub whose root gave reserpine

Last updated

2026-10-27

How to recognise Sarpagandha

It is a small, erect evergreen shrub, usually under a metre tall.

The leaves are glossy, lance-shaped and arranged in whorls of three or four.

Small white to pink tubular flowers grow in clusters on bright red stalks.

The fruits are small, round drupes that turn purple-black.

The roots are long, twisted and pale brown, with a bitter taste.

Traditional use of Sarpagandha

Ayurveda

Sarpagandha root is used in Ayurveda for sleeplessness, anxiety and high blood pressure.

Ayurvedic practice

Folk use

The root was used in folk practice against snakebite, which gave it its name.

Indian folk practice

Modern notes on Sarpagandha

Reserpine depletes stored noradrenaline and dopamine, which lowers blood pressure and calms agitation.

It fell out of favour because it can cause depression, nasal congestion and stomach ulcers.

Low-dose reserpine is still used in a few blood-pressure combinations.

Most supplies now come from cultivated plants in India.

Sarpagandha safety

Do not take sarpagandha on your own, especially with other blood-pressure or mental health medicines, or if you have a history of depression. It must not be used in pregnancy.

Ecology and sourcing

It grows in moist, shaded forests of the Himalayan foothills, the Western Ghats and north-east India.

Wild plants are rare because roots were dug for decades.

Birds eat the black fruits.

Related plants

Also in Apocynaceae

Questions about Sarpagandha

What is reserpine?

An alkaloid from its root, used for blood pressure.

Is Sarpagandha endangered?

Yes, in the wild.

Does Sarpagandha work for snakebite?

No. Antivenom is the treatment.

Is Sarpagandha safe to take at home?

No. It can cause serious side effects.

Why are the flower stalks red?

Bright red stalks are typical of this species.

Sources

• Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz — Plants of the World Online, Kew (search) (accessed 2026)
• Wikidata item Q1145301 (Rauvolfia serpentina)

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.