Linn.Family: Apocynaceae.
Habitat: Native to Mexico; grown throughout India.
English: Red Jasmine.Ayurvedic: Kshira Champaka (red-flowered var.).Action: Root bark—used in blennorrhagia. Flower—bechic (used in pectoral syrups). Bark— a decoction is used in venereal diseases and leprosy.
The bark contains cytotoxic iridoids (including fulvoplumierin which also inhibits the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis) and the lignin, lirioden- drin.The plant contains the triterpene rubrinol which showed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa (a causative agent responsible for infecting burns, wounds, urinary tract and infection in cystic fibrosis) and Pseudomonas pseu- domallei (which causes melioidosis or pseudoglandess).The herb contains cardiac glycosides which have a narrow-margin of safety. (Sharon M. Herr.)
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