From Seed to Seed:
Plant Science for K-8 Educators

Reserpine. This alkaloid is found in a shrub of the genus Rauwolfia, which is related to the Madagascar periwinkle. The common name of this shrub is snakeroot; for years the medical community regarded snakeroot as a "black magic" cure for snakebite, cholera, and "lunacy." In the early 1950s the active ingredient, reserpine, was isolated and studied for its medicinal properties.

Reserpine depresses the central nervous system, and is prescribed as a tranquilizer for people suffering from schizophrenia. It is also sometimes used to treat hypertension.

The plant has been used for more than 2500 years in India. It is a good example of a plant whose medicinal properties have only recently become apparent to the conventional medical community. Only after an Indian scientist studied the remedy, isolated the active alkaloid, and "proved" its effects did the European and American doctors and researchers take this "black magic" cure seriously.