Justicia gendarussa Burm.f.

Gandarusa (Justicia gendarussa) is an erect shrub 0.8-2 meters tall of the Acanthaceae family, native to India and distributed to other tropical regions such as Sri Lanka, Indochina, and Indonesia. Besides being grown as a living hedge, its leaves are processed into facial care cosmetics and natural biopesticides. Interestingly, gandarusa leaf extract is also being researched as a candidate for male contraception, in addition to its traditional use for relieving muscle pain and rheumatism.

Grows well at elevations up to 500 m above sea level. Gandarusa is a wild plant that lives in forests or along riverbanks. Lives under direct sunlight as well as with shade.
 

• Roots taproot, brown. Stem woody, square, branched, jointed, blackish-brown.
• Leaves simple, opposite pinnate arrangement, short-stalked, dark green, lanceolate, 5-20 cm long and 1-3.5 cm wide, pointed tip.
• Flowers purple, tubular corolla, two-lipped, compound, panicle-shaped, 3-12 cm long.
• Fruit a double capsule with four seeds.
• Seeds brown, small and hard.
   

• Propagated vegetatively (by stem cuttings). Cuttings come from young parts of the plant.
• Cuttings are planted in growing medium and watered at least every 2 days.
   

Justicin, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, flavonol-3-glycosides, essential oil, luteolin, isoorientin (luteolin-6-C-glycoside), coumarins, iridoids, triterpenes or sterols, calcium oxalate, tannins.

Fever reducer for children; relieves (muscle) pain; treats boils; analgesic, diuretic; used as male contraception; treats asthma, rheumatism, gout; helps joint and bone regeneration; heals ulcerated sores.

• Prepare fresh leaves. Wash thoroughly, then drain.
• Air-dry in a shaded location for 3-5 days.
• Pack the dried material in a clean, airtight container.

Also known locally as Handarusa (Sunda), Trus (Java), Puli (Ternate), Besi-besi (Aceh), Gandarisa (Bima), Ghandharusa (Madura).