Rauwolfia heterophylla

Narcotine has been reported as present in Papaver rhoeas L. 33) and P. paeoniflorum Hort. 34). Some other sources are doubtful its occurrence in Rauwolfia heterophylla Roehm and Schult. 35) may be due to industrial impurities 36), and, for the same reason, the isolation of narcotine from Strychnos melinoniana Baillon is questionable 37). 

Rauwolfia serpentina Benth, which derives its name from Leonhart Rauwolf, a 16th century botanist, and its serpentine root (Figure 56.1), has long been used in India for a variety of ailments. The discovery of its tranquilizing action, particularly in lowering the blood pressure, led to its introduction into Western medicine. The Rauwolfia alkaloids are derived from a family of tropical and semitropical plants related to oleander and periwinkle. They vary from small shrubs to tall trees. The important species from which the alkaloids are derived include Rauwolfia serpentina (Ophioxylon serpentinum or Indian snakeroot), R. micrantha, R. vomitoria, and R. hirsuta (Canescens heterophylla). 

Reserpine, which is an important antihypertensive medicine, has also been obtained from other Rauwolfia species such as R. heterophylla, R, canescens, R. Mr-suta, R, vomitoria, R, tetraphylla, and R. verticillata. 

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