Distribution and Habitat: Throughout India

Botany: A glabrous much branched shrub or small tree. 

• Leaves: Opposite, sub-sessile, elliptic or broadly lanceolate, entire, acute or obtuse, often mucronate.
• Flowers: Small, white or rose-colored, fragrant, in large terminal pyramidal panicled cymes.
• Fruit: Capsule globose, about the size of a pea. Seeds numerous, pyramidal, smooth.

Properties: Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory

Chemical constituents: lnterlin, Lawsone, esculetin, fraxetin, isoplumbagin, scopoletin, betulin, betulinic acid , henna diol, lupeol, and its related compounds, lacoumarin, laxanthone I,II & III, flavone glycosides , 2 pentacyclic tri terpenes are the chief components. 

Uses: It is used in  burning sensations, leprosy, skin diseases, premature graying of hair
bronchitis, ulcers, inflammations, scabies, falling of hair, jaundice, insomnia, intermittent fevers, amnetia, diarrhea, gastropathy, dysentery

Formulations: Madayantyadi churna, Mahapanchagavya ghrita, Mahaneela taila, Mahapadma taila, Vrishakadi churna.

Agrotechnology:                                     

Soil: Any type of soil from light loam to clay loam, but does best on heavy soils which are retentive of moisture. It tolerates little alkalinity in the soil. 

Propagation: Propagation is done by seeds and cuttings. The seeds are soaked in water for 20-25 days for sprouting.

Irrigations: Daily irrigation is necessary in the initial stages of planting.