188 THE MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE PHILIPPINES 



Adhatoda vasica, Nees. {Justicia Adhatoda, L.) 



NOM. VULG.— (?) 



Uses. — The Filipinos are but slightly familiar with this 

 plant and it has no place in their therapeutical armamentarium. 

 In India, however, it is very common and enjoys much repu- 

 tation in the treatment of catarrhs, the grip, asthma and non- 

 febrile, especially chronic, bronchial affections. The flowers, 

 leaves and roots, but especially the flowers, possess antispas- 

 modic properties and are prescribed in certain forms of asthma ; 

 they are bitter and slightly aromatic, and are given in infusion 

 or electuary. 



Drs. Jackson and Dott have testified from their own experi- 

 ence to the usefulness of the drug in chronic bronchitis, asthma 

 and afebrile catarrh. Dr. Watt states that the natives of Ben- 

 gal find relief for asthma in smoking the leaves. In Bombay 

 its expectorant action is commonly known and its juice is used, 

 mixed with borax and honey. 



The dose of the aqueous extract made by evaporating the 

 juice of the leaves, is .25-1 gram. The tincture is preferable, 

 made by dissolving this extract in alcohol ; dose 2-4 grams. 

 Its efficiency is increased by the addition of pepper seeds (War- 

 ing). The Sanscrit writers recommend for cough, 3.80 grams 

 of the leaf juice with honey. "It is very desirable that further 

 trials be made to test the value of this remedy." — Pharmaco- 

 pcEJa of India. 



Botanical Description. — A shrub with straight, smooth, 

 ashy-gray trunk. Branches of same color but smoother. 

 Leaves opposite, lanceolate, acute, smooth on both faces, 12-15 

 cm. long by 3-4 broad, petioles short. Flowers irregular and 

 hermaphrodite in axillary spikes with long peduncles, opposite, 

 large, white, covered with rusty spots, the lower part of the 2 

 lips purple. Calyx gamosepalous, regular, five deep clefts. 

 Corolla gamopetalous, irregular, short tiibe, limb 2-lipped, the 



