Pavetta indica L.

Family: Rubiaceae

Synonym:Ixora indica (L.) Baill.

Bengali/Vernacular name:Kathchapa, Faldu, Kukurchura, Bishofol, Falda, kalda, Bana mali, Sudra man.

Tribal name: Na raing, Sherprang, Si sathang (Marma); Moroo kambe (Mogh);Kanyorsing (Murang); Nongmangkha ashinba (Manipuri).

English name:Indian pavetta, Indian pellet shrub.

Description of the plant: An erect, nearly smooth or somewhat hairy shrub 2-4 m or more in height. Leaves elliptic-oblong to elliptic-lanceolate, 6-15 cm long, and pointed at both ends. Flowers 4-merous, white, rather fragrant, and borne in considerable numbers in hairy terminal panicles which are 6-10 cm long; tube slender and about 1.5 cm long, with obtuse petals about half the length of the tube. The flowers attract butterflies and insects. Fruit black when dry, somewhat rounded, and about 6 mm in diameter.

Plant parts used: Leaf, stem, bark, root.

Herbal uses:A poultice of the stem bark is applied topically for soothing haemorrhoids.

A decoction made with the leaves of the plant is drunk during the first days after childbirth as a protective medicine and also taken when the birth is delayed and as a treatment for fever.

The crushed root bark, combined with rice water and ginger, is taken for the treatment of dropsy.

A paste prepared from the leaves and stems of the plant is applied to the affected area for the treatment of boils and itches.

A fresh juice extracted from the roots of the plant is taken twice a day(10 ml amount each time) for seven days to treat constipation.

A decoction prepared from the roots of the plant is taken twice a day (50 ml amount each time) for 15 days to treat jaundice.

An infusion made with thinly cut wood is taken for the treatment ofrheumatism.

A local fomentation with the leaves is useful in relieving the pain of piles.

The roots of the plant are used to treat intestinal obstructionsand urinary complaints.

A paste made with the leaves of the plant is applied to the forehead twice a day until the headache is cured.

Distribution: The species occurs in Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban, Chittagong, Khagrachari, Dhaka, Tangail, Sherpur, Kustia, Netrokona, and Rajshahi districts.

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