Jeevak

The scientific name of Jeevak: Microstylis wallichii Lindl

Synonyms: Seidenfia rheedii (Sw.) (Szlach.), Malaxis rheedii (Sw.), Microstylis versicolor Lindl, Malaxis versicolor (Lindl), Malaxis acuminata D.Don.

Name of Jeevak in different languages:-

English: Jeevak

Hindi: Jivak

Sanskrit: Jivakah

Malayalam: Jeevakam, Jeevakom-ജീവകം

Tamil: Jivaka

Plant description:

It is a short-stemmed terrestrial herb, grows up to 30 cm in height with more or less a pseudo-bulb at the base and fibrous roots, leaves are simple, three or four, alternate, sheathing, ovate, or lanceolate.  The inflorescence is a long raceme with light brown rachis bearing numerous tiny flowers. Flower buds are green in color, and yellow when ripe. Peak flowering is during September.

It is found in shady places on clay, in sub-mondanate or mid-level tropical evergreen forests, and extending to sub-tropical mountain forests. It is a lithophytic orchid found on wet rocks, amidst moss and grass, in the opening of semi-evergreen and evergreen forests at altitudes ranging from 800-1100 m above MSL. The natural habitat could be described as a dripping rock ecosystem.

Leaf Arrangement

Useful plant parts:

stem

Medicinal uses:

To treat of haematemesis and fever, seminal weakness, burning sensations, emaciation, tuberculosis and general debility.

Chemical contents:

Amino sugars, glycosides, hexosamine, starch, free amino acids, and protein

Medicinal properties:

Refrigerant, aphrodisiac, febrifuge, and tonic.

One of the Ingredients in the Ayurveda medicines like:-

• Dhanwantharam kashayam
• Dhanwantharam kuzhambu
• Asthavargam kashayam
• Dasamoolarishtam
• Bala Thailam
• Baladhatryadi Thailam
• Mahanarayan thaialam