PLUMBAGO INDICA/ CHITHRAKA, the Indian leadwort, scarlet leadwort or whorled plantain, is a species of flowering plant in the family Plumbaginaceae, native to Southeast Asia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Yunnan in southern China.Growing to 2 m (7 ft) tall by 1 m (3 ft) wide, it is a spreading evergreen shrub with oval leaves. It produces racemes of deep pink or scarlet flowers in winter.

USES :

Leadwort is a potent medicinal agent used in the treatment of stubborn chronic rheumatoid arthritis, skin diseases and tumerous growths as recommended by Ayurveda. It also finds its use in correcting chronic menstrual disorders, viral warts and chronic diseases of nervous system.