Justicia Adh

An Indian medicinal shrub, long valued in Ayurveda for the chest, and used in homoeopathy for colds with sneezing and hard, paroxysmal coughing.

Justicia adhatoda is a dense evergreen shrub of the acanthus family, common across India, with large lance-shaped leaves and white flowers marked with purple. It is so bitter that goats leave it alone. Known as vasaka or adusa, it has been a chest herb in Ayurveda for centuries and is a familiar name on Indian cough syrups.

In homoeopathy it is traditionally used at the start of colds and chest catarrh: a streaming nose with constant sneezing, a dry, sore throat, and a hoarse, paroxysmal cough that can catch the breath. Tightness across the chest and a dislike of warm, stuffy rooms are part of its picture.

• Cough with sneezing
• Runny nose and cold
• Paroxysmal cough
• Chest tightness
• Hoarseness