Description
Plumbago auriculata, Cape Leadwort
Plumbago is an evergreen shrub with whip-like semi-woody stems that form a loose, rounded mound 3-10 ft high with a similar spread. Plumbago can be pruned to grow like a vine and scramble over supports, pruned into a more compact mounded shrub, or left to sprawl with its long, gracefully arching branches. The 2 oblong leaves are a fresh, light yellowish-green colour. The sky blue flowers are 1 in long tubes expanding into 5 petals spreading about 1 in across. The flowers are borne in rounded terminal clusters 6 in across and look quite a bit like phlox flowers. Plumbago blooms all year long except for the coldest winter months.
Health Benefits of Plumbago
Plumbago auriculata (Nila chitrak in Hindi) is basically a scrambling shrub with tons of health benefits and mesmerizing blue flowers.
The Word plumbago is derived from the Latin word plumbum it means an effective cure for lead poisoning. Root, bark and aerial parts of the plant contain various chemicals compounds and are used for their herbal medicinal properties. It is used in Ayurveda for treating various ailments like inflammation, fever, headache, toothache and excessive body pain. It is an anti-oxidant and analgesic in nature and is also used as a stimulant for the nervous system.
According to Ayurveda:⚕️
✅Plumbagin present in this beneficial herb is a very effective antifungal that helps body cells to fight against various infections.
✅It is also a beneficial cardiac tonic. This herb is cardioprotective and protects our hearts from the risk of various disorders.
The plant also has properties that help our body cells to fight against cancerous cells.
✅It is also an effective herb for treating severe toothache.
✅It is an anti-haemorrhagic agent that helps to stop excessive bleeding easily.
✅Plumbagin present in this plant is also a very effective cardiotonic that is very beneficial for treating various heart-related disorders.
✅It also possesses properties to fight against cancerous cells.
Root extract is also very effective for treating indigestion and hyperacidity.