Kalamegh – कालमेघ
➢ It is an annual, bitter herb that grows in moist, shady places.
➢ The stem is quadrangular, ribbed with longitudinal furrows and is
winged in the upper, younger region.
➢ The leaves are simple, on a very small stalk, opposite with each pair
at right angle to the pair above and below it. They are lanceolate to
narrowly elliptic in shape, slender with a pointed tip.
➢ The flowers are arranged on panicle inflorescences. The flowers are
small, white with little purple or dark pink spots. The green sepals
are small, fused at the base and have glandular hair all over it. The
white petals are bi-lipped, fused in 2+3 manner with a small two
petaled upper lip and three toothed, deep lower lip.
➢ The fruits are dry, dehiscent, flatted, oval capsule containing
wrinkled seeds.
BOTANICAL NAME
Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall.
FAMILY
Acanthaceae
FLOWERING
May – October
FRUITING
May – October.
PROPAGATION
It can be propagated by seeds and stem cuttings
PLANT PART USED
Whole Plant
COMMON NAMES:
Kariyat, Creat; Hindi: Hara Chirayata, Kalmegh,
Kalpanath, Kirayit, Mahatita; Marathi: Kalamegh, Kalpa, Ole Kirayat,
Paale Kirayat; Bengali: Kalmegh; Kannada: Nelabevu, Urakiriyatu;
Konkani: Vhadlem Kiraytem; Malayalam: Kiriyatta, Nilavepp; Manipuri:
Bhubati; Sanskrit: Bhunimba, Kalamegha, Mahatikta, Yavatikta; Tamil:
Nilavempu; Telugu: Nelavemu.
USES
✓ The plant is highly medicinal and used in various forms of
medicines.
✓ It is used in Ayurveda as a wonder drug.
✓ The juice of leaves is mixed with spices like cardamom, cloves to
treat minor digestive ailments for children.
✓ It is also a bitter tonic and a febrifuge.
✓ The fruits and bark are used in treatment of inflammation of parotid
glands and in menstrual disorders.
✓ It helps to maintain normal blood sugar levels and is effective in
treating diabetes.
✓ It contains anti-parasitic properties which may help eliminate
helminths (parasitic worms) and other parasites.
✓ It is used to treat fevers.
✓ It has immune boosting properties.
✓ It has beneficial properties for anemia.