Melastoma malabathricum L.

• Family: Melastomataceae
• Vernacular names: Kadali, Kalam potti, കദളി, കലം പൊട്ടി (Malayalam), Indian-rhododendron (English), Tinisah (Sanskrit), Shapti (Hindi), Kadalai (Tamil)
• Distribution: South East Asia
• Description: Shrubs. Leaves elliptic-oblong, base attenuate, apex acute. Flowers reddish-purple, solitary or few in rather dense clusters. Capsules ovoid, irregularly dehiscent; seeds many, minute.
• Habit: Shrub
• Habitat: Stream banks and marshy areas
• Flowering & Fruiting: Throughout the year

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• Parts used: Bark and leaves
• Properties & Uses: Leaves and shoots are used to treat wounds, post-natal care, and prevention of scars from small pox infection, stomach ulcers, dysentery and diarrhoea. Decoctions of the leaves and shoots have been reported to have anthelmintic and antispasmodic action. Aqueous root extracts is used to relieve toothaches. Crude extract used as an astringent for the treatment of diarrhoea and has also been used for post-partum haemorrhoids treatment.
• Systems of Medicines: Ayurveda, Folk,
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