Clerodendrum infortunatum

      Clerodendrum infortunatum is a perennial herb belonging to the Lamiaceae family.

C. infortunatum
(Image courtesy: Vanlap Hoang/Flickr)

Synonyms : Bhat (Hindi), Ghentu (Bengali).

Scientific Classification
        Kingdom           : Plantae
        Order                 : Lamiales
        Family               :Lamiaceae
        Genus                : Clerodendrum
        Species              : infortunatum
        Binomial name : Clerodendrum infortunatum L.

Geographical occurrence:
      The plant is common in the tropical regions of Asia.

Plant morphology:

      Clerodendrum infortunatum is a shrub having 2-4 feet in height. Its leaves are simple, opposite, decussate, petiolate, exstipulate and hairy with a disagreeable odour. Flowers are bluish-purple often white in pyramid-shaped terminal panicles. The fruits are four-lobed purple drupe. It flowers in the months of April to August.

Chemical constituents:
      The major compounds found in this species are sterols, saponins, flavonoids, and sugars. Roots contain luperol and β-sitosterol.

Uses:
      Its leaves have antimicrobial, antihelmintic, hepatoprotective, analgesic and antioxidant activities.

References:

• Debayan Bhattacharjee, Arup Das, Sreemoy Kanti Das and G.S. Chakraborthy; 2011; Clerodendrum infortunatum Linn.: A Review; Journal of Advances in Pharmacy and Healthcare research; 1(3).