Question

Which of the following medicinal plants is found only in India?
A) Ashwagandha
B) Rajnigandha
C) Sarpagandha
D) Matsyagandha

Answer 1

Hint: Used widely for the treatment of hypertension, the Indian Snakeroot is found extensively in the sub-Himalayan region of India and it is exported all over the world for the production of various medicines and tonics.

Complete answer:
Ashwagandha: Ashwagandha is a common and widespread wild plant that thrives in a variety of climates across the Indian subcontinent, and also in countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and North Africa. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a tiny, woody, evergreen plant and is used for various medicinal purposes such as maintaining blood pressure. Therefore, option (A) is a false option.

Rajnigandha: Rajnigandha (Polianthes tuberosa) is a well-known plant that is used in flower bouquets and in the creation of essential oils. Its aqueous extract is utilised information of various Ayurvedic remedies. It's a Mexican plant that is indigenous to the country, so option (B) is an incorrect option.

Sarpagandha: It is also known as the Indian Snakeroot which belongs to the milkweed family, it has many names such as the devil pepper or serpentine wood. Its scientific name is Rauwolfia serpentina. Ayurvedic medicine uses Sarpagandha to treat high blood pressure, asthma, and sleeplessness. It is a severely endangered species of plant that can only be found in India. It can be found in the states of Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh in abundance. It's also found in some parts of Western and Eastern Ghats and as well as the Central Indian hills. Hence, this is the correct answer.

Matsyagandha: Matsyagandha (Phyla nodiflora), often referred to as the frog fruit, is a Verbenaceae family-based ornamental species of plant which is found majorly in northern South America, the southern part of the United States and also in India. Hence, option (D) cannot be considered as the right answer.

The correct answer is option (C) as Sarpagandha also known as the Indian Snakeroot is found only in India.

Note: India is famous for its diversity in medicinal plants. Holy basil known as tulsi is found in almost every Indian household and is used widely for treating flu symptoms and stomach related problems. It has also been identified as one of the medicinal plants with air-purifying benefits.