| Binomial |
Premna serratifolia L. |
| Family |
Lamiaceae |
| Tamil name |
பசுமுன்னை (Pasumunnai) |
| Habit |
Evergreen straggling shrub |
| Bark |
Greyish brown, quadrangular, spiny, fissured-flaky |
| Flowers |
Numerous, greenish white, borne on flat-topped clusters |
| Fruits |
Drupe, saucer shaped, black, fleshy fruit, resembles small marbles |
| Flowering period |
April to October |
| Pollinators |
Butterflies and bees |
| Native to Singapore |
As per the Ayurvedic system of medicine, the roots of this plant are an important constituent of the ten-herb formulation, that is the “Daśamūla”. The roots are said to have many medicinal properties that include anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic and anti-oxidative activities. During early times, the leaves of this tree were used to treat headaches and hence, the common name of the tree is Headache Tree. Moreover, the leaves have potential in treating cancer, Parkinson's disease, Rheumatoid arthritis, skin melanogenesis, diabetes and obesity. The fruits are a good candidate for herbal drinks. |
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