Justicia adhatoda, also known as, Malabar nut, adathoda or Indian lungwort), is an evergreen shrub from the Acanthaceae family, famous in Ayurvedic and traditional medicine.

Origin

• Originally from tropical and subtropical Asia, especially the Indian subcontinent , Southeast Asia and parts of Afghanistan.
• Grows naturally in lowlands to lower Himalayas up to about 1300 meters altitude, in drier to humid areas, along rivers, in forests, scrub and plains.
• Known and used for thousands of years in Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha medicine; the name “adathoda” in Tamil means “untouched by goats.

Care

• Grows as an upright, bushy, evergreen shrub up to 2–4 metres tall with many branches, glossy dark green foliage and white to purplish flowers in dense spikes.
• Prefers full sun to light partial shade; tolerates heat and drought well if established.
• Plant in well-drained, fertile soil (sandy-loamy, slightly acidic to neutral); tolerates poor soils but grows better with organic matter.
• Watering: regularly during settlement; moderate thereafter (drought tolerant); Keep the soil slightly moist, but no waterlogging (root rot risk).
• Winter hardiness: limited (USDA zones 9–11); tolerates light frost down to about -5 °C for a short time; in colder climates (such as the Netherlands) grow as a container plant and overwinter frost-free (min. 10 °C, light spot indoors).
• Fertilization: in growing season (spring/summer) light organic fertilizer; Do not over-fertilize.
• Pruning: light in spring or after flowering to maintain shape and encourage bushiness; tolerates heavy pruning well.

Usage

• Mainly medicinal (traditional and modern): leaves, roots, flowers and bark used as expectorants (expectorant), antispasmodic (antispasmodic), bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory; for coughs, colds, asthma, bronchitis, tuberculosis, sore throats, fever, dysentery and respiratory infections.
• In Ayurveda and Unani medicine a keystone herb for respiratory complaints; leaf juice or decoction often ingested; forms the basis for modern drugs such as bromhexine (expectorant medicine).