Ixora coccinea

Ixora coccinea also known as Rathmal is a species of flowering plant in the family Rubiaceae. It is a common flowering shrub native to Southern India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Commercially important medicinal plant, used in ayurveda. All parts including flower, leaves and root are taken for various medicinal preparations for skin disease, Diabetes etc.

Ixora coccinea is a dense, multi-branched evergreen shrub, commonly 4–6 ft in height, but capable of reaching up to 12 ft high. It has a rounded form, with a spread that may exceed its height. The glossy, leathery, oblong leaves are about 4 ft in long, with entire margins, and are carried in opposite pairs or whorled on the stems. Small tubular, scarlet flowers in dense rounded clusters 2–5 in across are produced almost all year long.

The flowers, leaves, roots, and the stem are used to treat various ailments in the traditional system of medicine, the Ayurveda, and in various folk medicines, in traditional medicine the fusion of juice leaves and the fruit of Ixora coccinea is used to care for dysentery, ulcers and gonorrhea.

The roots are said to be analgesic, antiseptic, astringent, diuretic, sedative and stomachic. They are reported to stimulate gastric secretions and bile, and to provide relief in abdominal pains. They are used in the treatment of hiccups, fever, gonorrhoea, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhoea and dysentery. The roots are applied externally to treat sores and chronic ulcers, and also to treat headache. A decoction or infusion of the roots is administered to clear the urine.

The leaves and bark are used as a remedy for diarrhoea and also used externally to treat sores, ulcers etc.