rauwolfia

[ raw-wool-fee-uh, rou- ]

noun

1. any tropical tree or shrub of the genus Rauwolfia, as R. serpentina, of India.
2. an extract from the roots of the rauwolfia, R. serpentina, containing alkaloids the most important of which is reserpine: used in medicine chiefly for the treatment of hypertension and as a sedative.

rauwolfia

/ rɔːˈwʊlfɪə; raʊ- /

noun

1. any tropical tree or shrub of the apocynaceous genus Rauwolfia , esp R. serpentina of SE Asia
2. the powdered root of R. serpentina : a source of various drugs, esp reserpine

Word History and Origins

Origin of rauwolfia¹

1745–55; < New Latin, named after L. Rauwolf, 16th-century German botanist; -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of rauwolfia¹

C19: New Latin, named after Leonhard Rauwolf (died 1596), German botanist

Example Sentences

Most of these patients take a small daily dose of reserpine or a related alkaloid, both extracted from the roots of the Indian shrub, Rauwolfia serpentina.

From Time Magazine Archive

The rauwolfia products have been in use for 20 years, have generally been well tolerated in the dosage used by patients, and are inexpensive compared with newer medications for lowering blood pressure, such as guanethidine and methyldopa.

From Time Magazine Archive

Still others, such as guaneth-idine and reserpine�a drug extracted and purified from the Indian plant Rauwolfia serpentina�achieve the same effect by reducing the action of norepinephrine, the body chemical that causes blood vessels to constrict.

From Time Magazine Archive